Los Angeles - Live Nation (NYSE: LYV), a concert and events promoter and owner of live performance venues, announced on Thursday that it will acquire Signatures Network, a maker of music-related merchandise, for $79 million in cash, stock and repayment of debt.

Signatures Network holds the rights to market and license merchandise for more than 150 artists, including the Beatles, U2, Bruce Springsteen, Justin Timberlake and the Grateful Dead.

It also provides a print-on-demand and custom manufacturing service that lets music fans create their own products.

"This acquisition is a key component to our strategy to build a unified business around touring artists, managing their rights holistically and helping them reach their true potential," said Michael Cohl, chairman and CEO of Live Nation's Live Nation Artists division.  

Related Links:
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/071115/lath139.html?.v=17

http://www.livenation.com

http://www.signaturesnetwork.com