New York - Top executives at concert promoter Live Nation (NYSE: LYV) have been fiercely at odds over the company's moves to sign an increasing number of multi-million dollar "360 deals" with artists such as Madonna and Jay-Z, The Wall Street Journal reports.

While Live Nation CEO Michael Rapino has argued for a slowing of the pace, to see how the recent deals pan out, company chairman and concert promoter Michael Cohl is pushing to quickly sign similar new deals with up to 15 additional artists.

People familiar with the matter told The Journal the two were at one point not speaking to one another, but that tensions have since eased somewhat, and Cohl has dropped a threat to leave the company over the matter.

Live Nation has signed $120 million and $150 million deals with Madonna and Jay-Z, respectively, giving the company the exclusive rights to release the artists' albums, book their tours and sell branded merchandise like t-shirts.

The company's share price has dropped over 44% since its first such deal was signed with Madonna in October.

Mostly at issue, according to The Journal, is the pace of the deals as opposed to the idea of signing more 360 deals with artists.

Live Nation has recently held talks with Shakira on a 360 deal, several people involved told The Journal.

Related Links:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121322504176765955.html

http://www.livenation.com