Elvis Presley Enterprises Sold!

The most powerful man in the Elvis world under pressure?: While many people talk about Ernst Jorgensen, there is one man arguably more powerful in the Elvis world. His power comes from having acquired the majority ownership in the rights to market the Elvis name, image and likeness from Lisa Marie Presley. That man is of course, Robert F.X. Sillerman. And with Elvis merchandise and licensed ETA competitions generating more profits than sales of Elvis' music, Sillerman may currently be the most powerful man in the Elvis world! At a time when his powerful company interests are under strain due to the global financial crisis, EIN thought it timely to go behind the scenes of the Sillerman empire, an empire which is vast and eclectic with an emphasis on the sports and entertainment industries. From Elvis and Muhammad Ali to Lassie and American Idol, with much in between. In the series of news items and articles below you will find out a lot about who Robert Sillerman is, his business interests, his health issues and his current financial challenges. Read EIN's article

With Elvis-themed casino out, lenders want Strip property: Lenders are moving to seize control of a key piece of real estate on the Las Vegas Strip after plans fell through for an Elvis Presley-themed casino resort there. Three first-lien lenders filed a lawsuit Friday in Clark County District Court against entities controlled by FX Real Estate and Entertainment Inc. of New York, which is in default on two loans for $475 million for the property southeast of the corner of Harmon Avenue and Las Vegas Boulevard, across the Strip from the CityCenter complex.

The lenders are asking the court to appoint a receiver to take control of the land. It appears the lenders and investors will take huge losses on the property. The first lien lenders say they are owed $259 million on their $280 million loan, but FX has recently estimated the property is worth only about $219 million.

In the foreclosure, the second-lien holders -- believed to be a syndicate of 70 or more lenders -- may recover nothing on their $195 million loan against the property. And the rents being collected by the lenders are insufficient to satisfy interest due on the loan or to reduce the principal amount due, the lawsuit said. The value of the land has fallen as the recession has reduced valuations in the hotel and gaming industries and commercial real estate financing has dried up.

The banks suing the FX entities Friday were Landesbank Baden-Wurttemberg, Deutsche Hypothekenbank and Munchener Hypothekenbank eG. FX officials couldn't immediately be reached for comment.

In April, FX said it may file for bankruptcy protection following the collapse of its plans to build celebrity-themed properties in Las Vegas and other cities. The company in May reiterated it has no way of making payments to become current on the Las Vegas loans. As for legal action, including bankruptcy, it said it "cannot guarantee to what extent, if any, such actions may be viable or effective."

FX is controlled by Robert F.X. Sillerman, who also owns the wildly popular "American Idol" TV show. FX had been promoting plans to build properties with Elvis Presley and Muhammad Ali themes and has been paying royalties to Elvis Presley Enterprises and Muhammad Ali Enterprises. Those licensing deals were canceled this year amid FX's financial troubles.

The Las Vegas property, once planned for an Elvis Presley resort, consists of six parcels totaling 17.72 acres that have in recent years been occupied by small retailers and restaurants, such as the Harley-Davidson Cafe and Smith & Wollensky, as well as a Travelodge hotel. Because of a write-down on the value of its Las Vegas holding, and the licensing fees paid to the Presley and Ali companies, FX said it lost $462 million on revenue of $6 million in 2008. (Sale of EPE, Source: Steve Green, Las Vegas Sun, 7 June 2009)

Graceland Hotel on hold: Robert Sillerman, the man behind the company that hold the rights to Elvis Presley appears to have some financial problems. The Vegas project is in default. Plans for a new hotel and convention center at Graceland, Elvis’s Tennessee home, are on hold. FX Real Estate fell to pennies a share in April from its February 2008 peak of $7.88 and was delisted from the Nasdaq stock exchange.

Priscilla Presley, Elvis’s wife from 1967 to 1973, says the economy, not Sillerman, is to blame. “I have a lot of confidence in Bob,” she says. “When the timing is right, I’m sure all this will come back on the boards.” (Source: Elvis News, 3 June 2009)

EPE continues to expand: Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. had another year of growth and expansion in its licensing division. In addition to Graceland and its related attractions in Memphis, EPE is involved in a worldwide licensing program, merchandising, music publishing, and television, film, video and Internet projects.

"This has been one of our best years in the Elvis licensing program. We continue to partner with new and exciting licensees as well as maintaining many long term relationships that result in Elvis merchandise in dozens of territories around the world," stated EPE vice president of world wide licensing Carol Butler.

Elvis was a pioneer in the licensing world from the first day he stepped on stage. In 2008, EPE signed numerous licensees and worked closely with them to maximize the business through public relations and marketing activities.

Now, with over 250 licensees worldwide, EPE works with companies in a wide variety of licensing categories, such as Cirque du Soliel, Mattel Inc., Bradford Exchange, Hallmark, Gibson Guitar, Elvis Harley, John Deere, American Greetings, Pez Candy and Sirius XM Satellite Radio.

EPE's Licensing Division is charged with the responsibility of protecting and preserving the integrity of Elvis Presley, Graceland and other related properties. (Source: AP, 26 May 2009)

Graceland prepares for 4 new exhibits: January 8, 2009 was the date for the celebrations to begin with the 70th Anniversary of Graceland, a National Historic Landmark, and the Elvis Presley Birthday Celebration - which promises new surprises this year. Following the kick off of celebration for the 70th Anniversary, three major other exhibits will open this spring: Elvis in Hollywood, Elvis Lives: the King and Pop Culture and new exhibits in the Elvis Presley Automobile Museum. The following highlights are some of the details on the four different exhibits for the 2009 calendar:

• Graceland’s 70th Anniversary Celebration/VIP Tour Exhibit – open January 2009: The colonial style mansion was built in 1939 by a prominent Memphis family that later sold the historic home and surrounding 13 acres to Elvis Presley in 1957. The 70th Anniversary exhibit, included as part of the VIP Tour package, features the original architectural drawings of Graceland, a signed check from Elvis for the down payment ($102,000) on the home, the deed to Graceland and a video presentation that includes memories from those who lived there, including the first family to call Graceland home.

• Elvis in Hollywood – slated for March 2009: With 31 films to his name and box office smashes such as Love Me Tender and Jailhouse Rock, this new exhibit focuses on Elvis’ years in Tinsel Town and his success on the big screen. The exhibit tells the story of how Elvis transitioned from singer to on screen star and how he took Hollywood by storm to become its highest paid actor. Also part of the exhibit will be memorabilia from his career on the silver screen including his wardrobe (from Viva Las Vegas, Charro and Jailhouse Rock), personal scripts (featuring his own handwritten notes), rare behind the scenes photos, personal copies of his own feature films, original movie and a variety of other Elvis movie memorabilia.

• Elvis Lives: The King and Pop Culture – slated for March 2009: This interactive exhibit showcases Elvis in action as he entertains crowds in a stunning video presentation. Visitors can also retrace Elvis’ impact on pop culture by taking a trip down an Elvis time line, test their knowledge at an Elvis trivia kiosk and explore Elvis’ music through listening stations that features classics from the King of Rock ‘N’ Roll. Also included is a display of Elvis collectibles from the 50s to some of today’s must have memorabilia.

• Elvis Presley Automobile Museum – slated for March 2009: This Graceland exhibit celebrates new additions with a special display featuring both of Elvis' Rolls Royce sedans and his 6-door Mercedes Benz limousine featured in the movie Elvis on Tour.

To plan your visit to Graceland, visit our Free Online Travel Planner (Source: EPE, 23 Jan 2009)

Lisa Marie lightens up on Idol: JUST DAYS BEFORE MORE than 30 million viewers tuned in to the season premiere of American Idol, Lisa Marie Presley tuned out of $420,000 in shares of the company that owns the rights to the program.

Lisa Marie Presley took a stake in CKX when she sold a majority stake in Elvis Presley Enterprises to the entertainment company in 2005, giving it ownership of her father's name and image. She retained a 15% stake in the estate and kept the title to Elvis' Graceland property in the deal. Presley also received 500,000 common shares and 1,491,818 shares of convertible preferred stock, which entitle her to a seat on the board of directors (currently filled by her mother, Priscilla Presley) and a $1.8 million annual dividend. The company has valued the convertible stock at $22.8 million. Presley's stock in CKX is held through the Promenade Trust, of which she is the sole beneficiary.

Presley hadn't sold any of the stock she received until this year. On Friday and Monday she sold 97,600 of her common shares for $422,438, or about $4.33 per share. A company spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

CKX, formed in 2004, has rights deals and partnerships with such celebrities as Muhammad Ali and David and Victoria Beckham. It also owns a company that manages comedians such as Billy Crystal and Woody Allen. A partnership led by Chairman and Chief Executive Robert Sillerman attempted to buy the company and return it to private ownership, but the deal fell apart this year because of the "recent turmoil in the financial sector and the related tightening of the financing markets," according to a company statement from September.

CKX says it is "committed to preserving the integrity of the Elvis legacy and to judiciously selecting future commercial opportunities," but it has also pushed to expand the Elvis brand. It announced in 2006 that it plans to open an Elvis Presley-themed Cirque du Soleil show this November in partnership with the MGM Mirage (MGM). The company operates Elvis' Graceland property on a 90-year lease with the Promenade Trust under which they pay rent of $1 a month after prepaying $3 million. The company announced in its 2007 annual report that it plans to expand the Graceland property from 13.5 acres to 104 acres, adding a new visitors center and other attractions.

Despite the immense popularity of American Idol, CKX's stock has fallen precipitously since hitting a high of $30.65 in May 2005. The stock closed at $4.20 on Thursday. (American Idol is broadcast in the U.S. by Fox Broadcasting, which like Barron's is owned by News Corp.) (Source: Barrons.com, 15 Jan 09)

EPE Chief says Graceland development plans still have the green light: The chief executive of Elvis Presley Enterprises' parent company says the Elvis industry is thriving despite the bad U.S. economy. The late U.S. rock 'n' roll icon, who would have celebrated his 74th birthday Thursday, was No. 1 on the Forbes magazine list of top-earning dead celebrities in 2008. "There is only one Elvis, and you don't have to do much to keep him front and center," Robert Sillerman, chief executive of CKX Inc. (NASDAQ:CKXE), told the Memphis Commercial Appeal.

Sillerman also told the newspaper that President-elect Barack Obama's inaugural committee has requested permission to use Presley's song "If I Can Dream" as part of an inaugural event.

"I am a big supporter of President Obama," Sillerman said. "If they want to use it, we absolutely will make it available to them. Forty years after Elvis' '68 special, we see that he's being thought of as part of a new beginning."

Although attendance at Graceland was down in 2008 compared to 2007, when fans flocked to Presley's former home to mark the 30th anniversary of his death, CKX said the numbers were on par with attendance from previous non-milestone years, suggesting Elvis is "recession-resistant."

Sillerman also said CKX is moving ahead with plans to improve and develop Graceland so it will be even more appealing to tourists. (Source: UPI, 8 Jan 2009)

Robert F.X. Sillerman interview: Robert F.X. Sillerman, the president and chief executive officer of the company that owns Elvis Presley Enterprises, commented via a 20-minute recording to questions submitted to the official Elvis Presley web site. His response, recorded last week at the New York headquarters of his company, CKX Inc., was played at the Elvis Insiders Conference at The Cannon Center for the Performing Arts Downtown. Little Susie Q, who attended the Elvis Insiders Conference, added a transcript to her ElvisWeek 2008 blog: What are your plans for Las Vegas? - It will be a big, interactive (you will be able to “talk” to Elvis), maybe they can get the street names “Elvis Presley Blvd West”. Elvis deserves a bigger presence in Vegas for what he did there. What are your plans for Graceland – The impact of economy may affect how fast what we do. Won’t be spending all of the money up front. But major pieces will be completed soon (“soon” being a relative term). Our current economic situation is pretty dire. Sneak peak of plans? Tied up with what happens with Memphis and TN We need approval. Once we know what we can do, plans will come out. Perhaps in 6 months.

Sillerman: I’m an Elvis fan – put your earplugs in and I’ll do my rendition of an Elvis song. I’m a big Elvis fans. Elvis and I have a long history.

Why did you want to buy EPE? Society has changed so much over the last 10 years, principally driven by the devices we have – ipods, dvds, internet, etc. we can now deal with iconistic people. Since it’s impossible for anyone else to ever attain the heights that Elvis did, it was our desire to be associated with this kind of talent, a talent that needs no definition, explanation. I can’t say when the idea precisely came to me, but after we sold our last entertainment company, we were looking for something.

What’s your earliest memory of Elvis -

I was studying classical piano (quite good, if I must say so myself), I had no awareness of rock
and roll or of Elvis. I had my little portable radio and there was no Yankee game on. So I heard an Elvis Presley song and was taken aback. I got out of bed to have my brother listen to it. He didn’t like it but I told him he was crazy. I was captivated then – by “Hound Dog”. I know it sounds funny, but it was almost a life-changing moment.

What did you think of the Celine Dion/American Idol duet with Elvis?

Every time I see that I get goosebumps. It’s the technology I was talking about. The idea emanated from CKX. Everyone I show it to says Elvis more than holds his own with Celine’s powerful voice.

Did you see Elvis in person?

Do you own the DVDs? I saw Elvis live 5 times – in college and after college. Once in Boston, 4 times in Vegas. When I watch the concert footage I am evoking the live experiences.

Elvis Radio – what’s your favorite era and song?

No one single favorite song. It changes all the time. I listen to 13 all the time. 50s era is my favorite. In the Ghetto, Lieber and Stoller songs.

Is there going to be an EP Theme Park?

No roller coasters and ferris wheels and things like that. There will be Elvis-themed features where you can come in with themes of Elvis’ life. Interactive. We can move things out of Graceland to display them elsewhere and restore the house to its original look.

Are you a member of EI.

Yes. (He pulled out his card) (Interview, Source: Little Suzie Q /EP Gold, Aug 2008)

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Sillerman cancels Elvis Week appearance: Robert Sillerman, CKX Chairman, CEO and owner of EPE, has canceled his live appearance at the Elvis Insiders Conference during Elvis Week 2008. He now will be answering questions submitted by Elvis Insiders via video in a pre-recorded segment. The cause is said to be a scheduling conflict. (Source: Elvis Unlimited/Elvis News, Aug 2008)

How long live the King? - The future of Elvis: The July / August edition of BusinessTN magazine features Elvis on the cover with inside an article by Donnie Snow on the possible future of EPE entitled "A Little More Action". A Little More Action: When celebrated deejay Junkie XL remixed a lesser Elvis Presley hit into a 2002 smash, it returned the long-dead king of rock 'n' roll to the spotlight of mainstream pop music. "A Little Less Conversation" was the first relevant blockbuster splash featuring Presley since before his untimely, unseemly death in 1977. And despite an attempt by bona fide deejay royalty Paul Oakenfold to copy Junkie XL's success with a laudable yet forgettable remix of "Rubberneckin'" the following year, Presley hasn't had a new original hit since. (At press time, a remix of the Elvis classic "Baby Let's Play House" by Italian DJ Spankox was released digitally by Sony BMG Music Entertainment.) But give the guy a break — he's been dead more than 30 years. This August marks the 31st anniversary of Presley's passing, and since the JXL remix, the biggest U.S. headlines involving the King included Presley losing his top spot in 2006 on Forbes' morbid richest dead celebrities list to iconic grunge rocker Kurt Cobain (though he regained it the following year) and a flurry of announcements in the financial pages, beginning with the sale of his estate by daughter and sole heir Lisa Marie Presley to billionaire Wall Street wunderkind Robert F X Sillerman in 2004.

Sillerman's acquisition took the cherished "family" business public, and since then he has released several statements relating to the expansion of the Elvis brand—be it in the form of casinos and cruises or hotels and touring shows—and plans for major financial stake in the economic development of the dilapidated Whitehaven neighborhood that surrounds Graceland. With the possible exception of some of the locals who live near Graceland, most believe the brand has been under-commercialized. Lisa Marie Presley said as much when she sold the stagnating company. Sillerman, renowned for building billion-dollar media companies, can mine capital for fuel, but ultimately, it's still the world's first rock star who will power the ship, which begs the question: How long can Elvis float in the famously fickle pool of pop culture?

Fame, Fortune & the Future: Since Elvis Presley Enterprises (EPE) went public, there has been little action, despite a lot of talk (or rather, a lot of announcements), and the corporate culture around Graceland has become much less interactive with the press. (Not unexpectedly, EPE declined to participate in this story.) According to analysts, the long wait should have been anticipated. "One thing I didn't fully appreciate is the time it takes to develop the sort of large-scale projects they have planned," says Mark Argento, senior research analyst at Craig-Hallum Capital Group.

"Developing anything that can drive big revenue and big profits will take a while," he continues, pointing out that the deal Sillerman's company, CKX, is hammering out with French Canadian circus troupe Cirque du Soleil has taken more than a year. "The planning that goes into it—the lead time is significant. They expect very little increase in revenue in 2008 and 2009, with it really kicking in in 2010 and 2011."

The original deal CKX made with Lisa Marie was announced in December 2004. CKX paid $114 million for an 85% interest in Elvis Presley Enterprises. Lisa Marie, who retained the remaining 15%, was paid $50 million in cash plus $26 million in CKX common and preferred stock. CKX also paid $25 million in EPE debt. Sillerman got a 90-year lease on Graceland, rights to Elvis' name, likeness, image and trademark, publishing rights to 650 songs and royalty rights to the few songs Elvis recorded after 1973, as well as to two dozen Presley movies.

Sillerman also paid $6.5 million to Elvis' ex-wife, Priscilla Presley. Fortune reported that CKX didn't have to pay Priscilla anything, but that doing so would make her more agreeable to appearing at grand openings and the like. It seems just that Priscilla would share in the sale, given that she was among the brain trust that turned the floundering, bankrupt estate into a trailblazing company—and Graceland into the most-visited private residence in the world. Barry Ward, former general counsel to the Elvis estate, was also in that management group, which included long-time family accountant Joseph Hanks; Jim Roscoe, trust officer at the National Bank of Commerce in Memphis; and Jack Soden, hired to head EPE. Ward helped appeal a court decision that denied Presley's estate rights to the rock star's name, likeness and image. This paved the way for the creation of the Elvis Law, the groundbreaking precedent that awarded celebrity estates control of intellectual property and trademarks after death.

"From where I sit, the Sillerman acquisition helped immensely, giving the estate the capital to ratchet up to a new level," Ward says, echoing a common refrain about the deal. When announced, Lisa Marie admitted that EPE could only grow so much and that it needed a bigger player to monetize future interest in Elvis.

"That's the amazing thing about the Elvis estate: just how many things they haven't done over the past 30 years," says longtime rock critic Stan Soocher, an entertainment attorney and associate professor of music and entertainment industry studies at the University of Colorado-Denver.

Elvis is one of the few examples in pop music of a star whose fame hasn't flagged, says Soocher, who is currently finishing his book, They Fought the Law: Rock Music Goes to Court, containing coverage of Elvis Presley's estate. (The book will be published in early 2009.)

"The CKX buyout is the most important financial development in the structure of the estate since it was founded," he says.

"Elvis Presley didn't do any international tours," he continues, "and because he's been so popular in England, it seems there is a pent-up demand to exploit." Soocher has a point: Presley's re-mastered No. 1 singles, which EPE released one at a time over the last couple years, tore up the British charts, which leads Soocher to think an international virtual, multimedia tour would likely reap large revenues.

But there's much more to the Elvis brand than music.

"Rockabilly may resurge, but it's never going to be mainstream rock again," Soocher says. "This whole other level [of enterprise] is so important to maintaining the Elvis brand."

He points to the proposed casino as one aspect of enterprise, as well as Elvis-themed destination venues around the world, à la Hard Rock Café.

"Domestically, there's a ton to do" says Argento, "but internationally, the opportunity to take the Elvis brand into a foreign market could dwarf the opportunities in the U.S. Put a casino in Macau or Dubai, put a replica of Graceland in Tokyo—the opportunities are huge. It would be epic for the Elvis brand."

The Mansion that Elvis Built: No kidding. Presley's estate has already earned far more than Presley did while he was alive, but Graceland in Tokyo? What would that do to local commercial and tax revenue streams? Most, including EPE and CKX, believe expanding the brand in such a way will increase interest and revenues in Memphis. According to Fortune, Sillerman's stake in the Presley estate exceeds its worth. Yet the company has announced a commitment to developing Graceland and its 120-acre campus. Plans include building one or more hotels and developing the surrounding neighborhood to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars—not that many checks have been written yet.

"I believe they are still gathering information on the project building specifications," says Harold B. Collins, the city councilman for Whitehaven. Collins says funds have been appropriated for improved cityscape to assist the development of a mile-plus stretch along the Brooks Road corridor, which will coincide with Memphis International Airport's ambitious "Aerotropolis" redevelopment plan.

"We're excited that they are getting ready to move on it," he says, adding that he hopes to see ground broken before the end of the year. "I think Mr. Sillerman knows how important this is to our city and is as eager to get it off the ground as we are." Well, maybe not as eager.

Last summer, news broke on a looming CKX buyout by 19X, a privately held company led by Sillerman and American Idol creator Simon Fuller (the "X" is a Sillerman signature). But in mid-May, the company lowered its buyout offer from $13.75 to $12 per CKX share. Sillerman said in a statement that the private company "remain[s] committed to completing the acquisition of CKX at a price that we believe reflects the continued outstanding performance of the company and which provides a substantial premium above the current price to the company's stockholders. [The price] also takes into account the seismic shift in the buyout world since the time we originally entered into this transaction."

The companies are reportedly working to close the deal by September.

"[The deal] should not have any effect on the economic development [in the area]," Argento says. "One of the reasons to take this private now is that it's a pretty attractive time, especially before the redevelopment gets underway. The bigger risk is the broader credit market—access to capital will probably be the bigger issue."

Most locals involved in the area's development are not giving too much thought to Graceland's goings-on; some view the Graceland makeover and build-out as only a piece of the overall vision.

"[Graceland's] development to come is part of the dynamic of building out what is currently the only fledgling Aerotropolis in the United States," says Arnold Perl, chairman of the Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority. "When Elvis Presley Enterprises announces and develops the initiative they're working on, it will provide a significant boost to America's Aerotropolis.

There is no official word from Sillerman or local EPE officials on when Sillerman's real estate spin-off, FXRE, might commence the grand reawakening of the King. But Memphis isn't the only city laying claim to Elvis, and it isn't the only city in which Sillerman is spending money on Presley-related properties. In addition to dealings on Elvis Presley Boulevard, FXRE also has plans in the works involving several acres on Las Vegas Boulevard for a hotel and casino, as well as entertainment, retail, commercial and residential development. It would all feature Presley, perhaps in conjunction with Muhammad Ali. (Sillerman also owns 80% of Muhammad Ali Enterprises.)

Elvis: the Next Generation: But despite all the effort, there remains the question: How Long?

Elvis is undoubtedly the most parodied person in history—Google search "Elvis Tribute Artist" if you don't believe it—and his place in the record books still looms over contemporary stars. In April, at age 38, Mariah Carey finally surpassed Presley for second most No. 1 singles on Billboard with 18 (the Beatles lead with 20), and Madonna, who turns 50 in August, finally passed Presley for the most top-10 hits with 37.

But can Presley reach a new generation that has grown up with Elvis the image, not Elvis the man?

"I think the story is timeless," Ward contends. "America cast's its heroes away very begrudgingly."

For Sillerman, this likely is just the buildup before the big bonanza deal, given his modus operandi of buying media properties at low prices, maximizing the brand, packaging them and then unloading at a higher price. He did it in 1989 with radio stations, which he sold to what is now Viacom for $389 million, and again in 1997 to Hicks Muse for more than $2 billion. Three years later, he sold a bundle of concert venues to Clear Channel for $3 billion.

One can only wonder if/when he will sell EPE—and what it will look like when he does.

Soocher doesn't believe it will happen any time soon.

"You have to kind of figure out where's the sweet spot for the sale," he says. "With Ali and the Elvis estate, you would think Sillerman would want to build up the brands—and they haven't hit the ground running.

"I don't think, as an investor, you would think they would be much more valuable together than apart."

Soocher argues that a more modernizing match would be some entity from the current list of stars that appeals to the younger fan base—and that, essentially, means hip-hop. Coincidentally, Rap mogul and entrepreneur Jay-Z just signed a 360 deal with an SFX spin-off company—the concert venue company Sillerman founded before selling to Clear Channel. The deal essentially turns Jay-Z into a property for commoditization, which is what Sillerman is currently doing with Elvis Presley.

Says Soocher: "I think the younger music fans are used to seeing music come at them from all possible ways, so they don't look at that as a violation. Fans are much more accepting today."

Nevertheless, what's unique about the Presley situation is that despite being dead, he is still a towering performance figure in pop music. The Presley estate may have outgrown the man, but it can never seemingly outgrow the performer. Unlike other industry personalities whose businesses can theoretically run without his or her explicit presence—an Oprah Winfrey or even Jay-Z come to mind—can you imagine a Presley industry without Elvis in the spotlight? ( Source: BusinessTN magazine, 2 July 2008)

Robert Sillerman at Elvis Week 2008: For the first time ever, Robert F.X. Sillerman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of CKX Inc., parent company of Elvis Presley Enterprises will be a special guest at the 2008 Elvis Insiders Conference. Mr. Sillerman will answer questions during his segment of the conference. (Source: EPE, 25 June 2008)

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Tentative Settlement Reached in Stockholder Litigation involving parent Elvis company: CKX, Inc. announced on 28 May 2008 that its Board of Directors has reached an agreement in connection with the revised acquisition proposal made by 19X, Inc., on May12, 2008, to modify certain terms of the pending agreement to acquire CKX. As previously disclosed by CKX, the sale of CKX will be accomplished through a merger with 19X, Inc., a private company owned and controlled by Robert F.X. Sillerman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of CKX, and Simon R. Fuller, a director of CKX and the Chief Executive Officer of 19 Entertainment Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CKX. The revised terms, which are listed below, were reached following extensive negotiations among a Special Committee comprised of independent directors and representatives of 19X. The agreed upon terms which have been approved by the Company's Board of Directors are reflected in an amendment to the merger agreement, the management cooperation agreement and a tentative settlement of the outstanding litigation.

The revised terms include the following:

    -- 19X will pay each CKX stockholder $12.00 per share in cash;

    -- The outside deadline for closing the transaction has been extended to October 31, 2008;

    -- 19X has agreed to increase the break-up fee payable to CKX in the event that the merger is not completed by the new outside deadline by offering an additional $500,000 payable in cash, and by reducing the value of the stock, if any, used to pay the initial $37 million fee from $12.00 to $11.08 per share. As a result of the reduction in the attributed stock price, Mr. Sillerman, on behalf of 19X, would pay to CKX approximately 256,016 additional CKX shares as part of the break-up fee if 19X elected to pay in shares;

    -- Stockholders holding at least 73% of CKX's outstanding shares must vote in favor of the deal for the deal to be approved rather than 50%, as provided in the original transaction; and

    -- CKX will conduct a new "go shop" period that will last not less than 45 and no more than 60 days, during which time the Special Committee, through its financial advisor, will actively solicit superior offers for the Company.

In addition, certain members of CKX management, including, among others, Messrs. Sillerman and Fuller, have agreed that if a superior proposal is made to CKX for a price greater than $12.00 per share, such management stockholders will pass along the amount in excess of $12.00 to all other CKX stockholders until the other CKX stockholders have received $13.25 per share, at which point those members of CKX management and the other CKX stockholders would share equally in any further excess amounts.

By way of example, if a third party were to offer $12.50 for the Company, each management stockholder would continue to receive $12.00 per share, and the total amount above $12.00 that otherwise would have gone to such individuals ($0.50 per share) would be added to the $12.50 being received by the public stockholders.

Commenting on the series of transactions, Mr. Sillerman said, "Simon and I are pleased that, in this climate of market turmoil, we have agreed with the CKX Special Committee and with the plaintiffs in the current stockholder litigation to a revised transaction that delivers significant value to the CKX stockholders and provides for greater certainty of closing. We will press forward to a swift closing of the transaction and beginning CKX's future as a private company."

A memorandum of understanding has been signed by the Company and plaintiff's counsel in the pending Del Shareholders lawsuit challenging the transaction reflecting the tentative settlement agreement and memorializing the terms described above. While the settlement remains subject to court approval, these terms are now definitively part of the transaction and represent the final terms, regardless of whether the settlement is ultimately finalized.

For more detailed information please see our Current Report on Form 8-K, which was filed today and may be obtained at the Company's website at http://www.ckx.com as well as at the SEC's web site at http://www.sec.gov.

About CKX, Inc.: CKX, Inc. is engaged in the ownership, development and commercial utilization of entertainment content. To date, the Company has focused on acquiring globally recognized entertainment content and related assets, including the rights to the name, image and likeness of Elvis Presley, the operations of Graceland, the rights to the name, image and likeness of Muhammad Ali and proprietary rights to the IDOLS television brand, including the American Idol series in the United States and local
adaptations of the IDOLS television show format which, collectively, air in over 100 countries around the world. On June 1, 2007, CKX entered into a merger agreement with 19X, Inc., a private company owned and controlled by Mr. Sillerman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of CKX, and Simon R. Fuller, a director of CKX and the Chief Executive Officer of 19 Entertainment Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CKX, that will result in the sale of CKX to 19X. For more information about CKX, Inc., visit its corporate website at http://www.ckx.com.

This communication is being made in respect of the proposed merger transaction involving CKX and 19X. In connection with the proposed merger, CKX will file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) a proxy statement and a Rule 13e-3 transaction statement on Schedule 13e-3. BEFORE MAKING A VOTING DECISION ABOUT THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS ARE STRONGLY ADVISED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT, THE SCHEDULE 13e-3 AND OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE, BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION. Investors and security holders may obtain a free copy of the proxy statement, the Schedule 13e-3 and other documents filed by CKX (when available) at the SEC's Web site at http://www.sec.gov. The proxy statement, the Schedule 13e-3 and such other documents may also be obtained for free by directing such request to CKX, Inc. Investor Relations, 650 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10022 or on the Company's website at http://www.ckx.com.

CKX and its directors, executive officers and certain other members of its management and employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from its stockholders in connection with the proposed merger. Information regarding the interests of the CKX's participants in the solicitation will be included in the proxy statement relating to the proposed merger when it becomes available. (Source: CKX/Charmaine Voisine)

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Dead Elvis set to generate $189M in revenues by 2013: You don't often get to read SEC documents guesstimating how much money a dead idol will make in the future. But today's our lucky day: Witness this filing from CKX, which owns an 85% stake in Elvis Presley Enterprises -- basically the rights to run Graceland and license the King's name. Not included: The rights to sell most of Elvis' actual music.

But even without the ability to sell his songs, CKX says Elvis will generate $68.8 million for them this year. Not bad for a guy who died in 1977. But the future looks even brighter: CKX says that Elvis hotels, casinos and other projects will bump that number up to $189 million by 2013. Which makes Frank Sinatra's $50 million payday last year look like bupkis. (Sale of EPE, Source: Peter Kakka, Silicon Valley Insider)

EIN Comment: The $50m payment to the Sinatra Estate gives the late crooner inside running to top the next Forbes Annual List of Top Earning Dead Celebrities. It is likely EPE's revenues will fall after the ultra successful 30th anniversary year in 2007. (7 March 2008)

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EPE files on trademark: On February 12, 2008, Elvis Presley Enterprises filed to protect the trademark The Elvis Las Vegas and The E Las Vegas in relation to goods and services in three categories:

“real estate services for residential apartments, condominiums and retail establishments” “casino, golf course, sporting events and entertainment services, namely, live performances featuring musicians music and singers, prerecorded music and video, dancers, magicians, actors, acrobats and comedians” and…

“resort hotel, hotel, restaurant, bar, lounge services, arena services, namely providing facilities for sports, concerts, theater, conventions and exhibition; providing theme park services; cafes; cafeterias; catering; child care; cocktail lounge buffets; cocktail lounges; hotel services for preferred customers; spa services; providing banquet and social function facilities for special occasions; providing convention facilities; providing facilities for exhibitions; snack bars”.

The majority of Elvis Presley Enterprises (85%) is owned by CKX, Inc., owner of 19 Entertainment, creator of American Idol. CKX Chairman Bob Sillerman announced plans in 2006 to turn Graceland and the surrounding areas into an international tourist destination and double the 600,000 annual visitors. Sillerman has stated that a new hotel is a possible component to these plans.

Mork wonders if The Elvis Las Vegas will be in Memphis in the area around Graceland, or if Elvis Presley Enterprises is actually planning a resort hotel in Las Vegas. In any case, you can go home now. Mork has just left the building.

Click Here for more detailed informattion: http://www.trademork.com/the-elvis-las-vegas (Sale of EPE Archives, Source: www.trademork.com  /  www.epgold.com)

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EPE buys Whitehaven Multifamily: Elvis Presley Enterprises Inc. purchased 1032 Craft Road in Whitehaven for nearly $1.58 million from Michael E. Reed. EPE purchased the property as part of its $250 million redevelopment of the Graceland visitor center. The property at 1032 Craft Road is an apartment building on 5 acres. EPE purchased the property for its land value and will tear down the 88-unit apartment building that was built in 1963. The land sold for about $315,000 per acre.

EPE’s parent company, CKX, plans to own more than 105 acres that surround Graceland. It plans to build new hotels and improve the public spaces around Graceland. For instance, the existing 128-room Heartbreak Hotel will be raised and in its place will be a much larger convention hotel on the Graceland side of Elvis Presley Boulevard. Furthermore, the existing visitor center will be raised and replaced with one seven times the size of Graceland. (8 Feb 2008)

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EPE acquisitions around Graceland: Elvis World's Bill E. Burk reports: EPE continues buying up every inch of land within sight of Graceland.  Last two purchases have been apartment complexes on the hill behind the shops, giving Graceland now over 100 acres in the area  -- bigger than the Memphis Zoo!  ALL of announced plans have "Elvis"connected things (hotel<s>, restaurants, shops, visitors center, parking) being re-located to the east side of EP Blvd., leaving a vast amount of acreage on the west side unannounced.  The name "Disney" keeps getting mentioned more and more and time passes. 

Until EPE gets its hands on the Boulevard Souvenirs property, don't expect a lot of work to get started on the east side ... but 2009 seems to be the target date for opening all these things. (5 Feb 2008)

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The Magic of Elvis 'still growing': EPE had its "biggest year ever" in 2007, according to EPE director of marketing Scott Williams. What made 2007 stand out, Williams said, was the successful brand partnerships like the partnership with Reese's for a Collector Edition Peanut Butter & Banana Creme version of its peanut butter cup. Other successful partnerships in 2007 included Harley-Davidson, Budweiser, Sports Illustrated, Tennessee Tourism and American Idol. Another standout partnership, according to Williams, was with NASCAR and Dale Earnhardt Jr. "The only fans I can think of who are bigger than Elvis fans are NASCAR fans," Williams said with a quick laugh. The Ultimate ETA Contest, of which Tupelo hosted one of the preliminary rounds, contributed to the year's success as well. Tupelo, being the birthplace of Elvis, was selected again to host a preliminary round at the Tupelo Elvis Festival June 6-8. Williams said EPE used Tupelo last year as the model for a lot of the smaller towns that were hosting qualifying rounds. Business also was good at Graceland

and the surrounding properties in Memphis. Williams said about 600,000 people buy a ticket to tour the house each year, and another several thousand visit just to shop or do the free walk-up to the house. And Williams said he only expects business in the Elvis world to get better. "The magic of Elvis is still growing as more younger fans discover Elvis," he said. About one-third of visitors to Graceland are younger than 34 and 75 percent of Graceland tourists are visiting for the first time. "According to all of our research, it's growing and growing," he said. EPE's goal is to "preserve, protect and enhance the legacy of Elvis" - but EIN is not sure how Peanut Butter & Banana Creme bars or rubber ducks achieve that! EPE is a subsidiary of CKX Inc. a publicly traded company that also includes American Idol and Muhammad Ali. Go here to our EIN Spotlight on CKX and the sale of EPE. (News, Source;EIN/DailyJournal, Feb 2008)

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Disneyland type theme park for Graceland?: Elvis World's Bill E. Burk advises:

'EPE just paid $2.5 million to buy the Royal Oaks apartments on Craft Road, just west of EP Blvd. in Memphis (sitting atop the hill behind the shops).

EPE buys Royal Oaks: Elvis Presley Enterprises Inc. has bought the Royal Oaks Apartments at 1032 Craft Road from Michael E. Reed for $1.6 million.

The Royal Oaks is a 13-building apartment complex built in 1963. The complex has about 80 units and sits on a 5.2-acre lot on the north side of Craft Road west of Elvis Presley Boulevard.

No one answered a phone number for the apartments; an answering machine states it is the number for MBM Properties. Representatives from EPE were not available for comment by press time.

Nearly two years ago, New York-based CKX acquired an 85 percent stake in EPE, with Lisa Marie Presley retaining 15 percent interest. CKX recently announced a $250 million plan to develop Graceland into a tourism development zone centered on Graceland and spreading to surrounding property.

The plan calls for "building an expanded visitors center, developing new attractions and merchandising shops and building a boutique convention hotel," CKX management wrote in the company's most recent annual report. (19 Jan 2008)

FXRE to have major say in EPE redevelopment plans: FX Real Estate and Entertainment Inc. ("FXRE") announced today that Robert F.X. Sillerman and Barry Shier are joining the Company's senior management team, with Mr. Sillerman to serve as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and Mr. Shier to serve as Chief Operating Officer.

This will be the seventh public company built and run by Mr. Sillerman, adding to the list of six prior successful ventures, including CKX, Inc. (NASDAQ:CKXE), where he continues to serve as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Sillerman has also successfully developed a number of real estate projects, including, most recently, the Temenos Anguilla resort.

Mr. Shier has had a long and prominent career in the hotel and gaming industry, having spent more than 15 years with Mirage Resorts Inc. He most recently served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Golden Nugget Las Vegas Corporation, and Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Beau Rivage Resort and Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi.

FXRE is an entertainment-oriented real estate development company with a plan to pursue real estate and entertainment-based projects and attractions throughout the world. The Company owns 17.72 contiguous acres of land located at the southeast corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and Harmon Avenue in Las Vegas, Nevada, known as the Park Central Property. FXRE has licensed from Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc., and Muhammad Ali Enterprises LLC, the right it to use the intellectual property and certain other assets associated with Elvis Presley and Muhammad Ali in the development of its real estate and other entertainment attraction-based projects. FXRE currently anticipates that the development of the Park Central Property will involve multiple elements that incorporate the Elvis Presley assets and theming.

FXRE also expects to play a major role in Elvis Presley Enterprises' plans to redevelop and expand the Graceland attraction as the centerpiece of the Whitehaven section of Memphis, Tennessee. The master plan for this redevelopment incorporates approximately 100 acres surrounding and contiguous to the Graceland mansion property and is expected to include a new visitor center, exhibition space, retail, hotel, convention facilities, public open space and parking on both sides of Elvis Presley Boulevard.

FXRE will develop up to three hotels to be built as part of the Graceland master plan. In the event that the hotel complexes to be developed by the Company become a larger element of the overall project, including becoming more integrated into the visitor and mansion experience, FXRE may expand its relationship with Elvis Presley Enterprises to assume a larger role in the overall development.

"I am enormously excited by the opportunity to further enhance the legacies of Elvis Presley and Muhammad Ali through the development of our planned real estate-based projects," said Mr. Sillerman. "I know Barry shares my vision of the opportunities available to us in Las Vegas, Memphis and worldwide and I look forward to working with him to realize our shared vision for the company." (Source: News Observer, 11 Jan 2007)

Sillerman company declares distribution of shares date: CKX, Inc. (Nasdaq: CKXE), announced today that it had set the record date for the distribution of shares of FX Real Estate and Entertainment Inc. stock to the CKX stockholders as December 31, 2007. Stockholders of CKX will receive, on the date the distribution is made, two shares of common stock of FX Real Estate and Entertainment for every ten shares of common or preferred stock of CKX that they own as of December 31st.

FX Real Estate and Entertainment has filed a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission to register the shares to be distributed. The distribution will take place as soon as is commercially practicable after the date on which the registration statement is declared effective by the SEC.

The distribution of shares in FX Real Estate and Entertainment is intended to give CKX stockholders an interest in FXRE's location-based exploitation of CKX's Elvis Presley and Muhammad Ali assets pursuant to the terms of FXRE's license agreements with CKX and its subsidiaries.

For more detailed information please see our Current Report on Form 8-K, which was filed today and may be obtained at the Company's website at www.ckx.com as well as at the SEC's web site at www.sec.gov. (Source: Fox Business, 22 Dec 2007)

Graceland zoning issue deferred: Memphis City Council members will attend three more meetings together before most of them leave office at the end of the year. As their terms draw to a close, an agenda set by council chairman Tom Marshall back in September is shaping much of the last-minute business the council is pursuing.

It's also creating a to-do list that will require action after the New Year. Marshall originally had drawn up an 11-point action plan to guide the current council's final days. One of those 11 tasks had called for the council quickly scheduling a vote to approve a rezoning request needed as part of the large-scale redevelopment of Graceland, the famous home of Elvis Presley, along with the neighborhood around it.

That item has been punted down the road for the new council to address.

"The Graceland rezoning application just couldn't make it, because it came down to a matter of timing," Marshall said, referring to the fact that council ordinances must be voted on three times. "They simply couldn't make application in time in order for this council to go through three readings.

"So instead of jeopardizing that huge financial initiative with two readings before one council and then another reading before a new council, they've elected to start their initial presentation to the new council," he said, "which I actually recommended to them to do."

'Tremendous' but close to the vest: As far as what that presentation will consist of or the details surrounding the need for that rezoning, Marshall isn't saying. Whatever they are, Elvis Presley Enterprises - the corporation that officially conducts and manages Elvis-related business - apparently intends to make a big announcement about the effort soon.

"I can't tell you specifically what they'll be doing," Marshall said. "But I can tell you in very large and general terms that they are going to be pursuing a tremendous, unprecedented financial infusion to the current Graceland site. And they're going to be requiring council action to make it a reality. That action will include zoning and other potential community enhancement initiatives."

The most recent annual report of CKX Inc., which acquired an 85 percent ownership stake in EPE in February 2005, hints at what those efforts entail. Company officials already have held several meetings with local government officials in Memphis about revamping Graceland.

That redevelopment effort includes "building an expanded visitors center, developing new attractions and merchandising shops and building a boutique convention hotel," CKX management writes in the annual report. "This project is conditioned on a number of factors including obtaining necessary approvals and concessions from local and state authorities and attracting an appropriate hotel partner." ( Source: Andy Meek, Memphis Daily News/Charmaine Voisine, 22 nov 2007)

B & K Enterprises Announces Exclusive Partnership with Elvis Presley Enterprises to Produce Authentic Replicas of Elvis’ Famed Jumpsuits and Stage Costumes: For the first time ever, Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. (EPE) has licensed a company to create replicas of Elvis’ iconic jumpsuits. B & K Enterprises, known internationally for its attention to detail in the creation of authentic replica jumpsuits worn by the King of Rock and Roll, has signed a formal licensing partnership with EPE. B & K has exclusive rights to manufacture these replicas, originally designed and produced by Bill Belew and Gene Doucette in the 1970s. Many of the original jumpsuits worn by Elvis in concert are currently on display at Graceland. Doucette remains involved with B & K in the creative process by producing the embroidery work on the costumes using original patterns and designs.

The family-owned business headquartered in Charlestown, IN, is one of the premier full-service custom costume shops in the world and produces costumes for stage and screen in addition to Elvis jumpsuit replicas. Butch Polston, owner of B & K Enterprises says, “This is more than a business, it’s a passion. I’m a lifelong Elvis fan and his jumpsuits are pieces of art to me. The costumes personified Elvis' larger than life image as a music artist, it’s an honor to create these costumes with EPE’s stamp of approval.”

In addition to replicas of Elvis stage wear, B & K offers a line of shirts, vests, belts, jackets, casual wear, jewelry, all authentic replicas of clothing worn by Elvis Presley. Consumers of B & K’s products include Elvis Presley tribute artists, music memorabilia collectors, Elvis fans and various celebrities. (News, Source: Business Wire, 15 Nov 2007)

Elvis regains #1 spot as top earning deceased celebrity: For the sixth time in 7 years Elvis tops the Forbes magazine list of top earning deceased celebrities. The Elvis Estate earned an estimated US$49m in the year ending 30 September 2007. In second spot was John Lennon. Last years top earning deceased celebrity, Kurt Cobain, dropped off the list. (News, Source: Forbes) Read full article

The beat goes on - battle continues between EPE & area retailer (see earlier stories May 2007 below): A little more than a year ago, a representative of Elvis Presley Enterprises Inc. floated a business proposition to Rick Roberts, the owner of a one-story brick storefront a few steps from Graceland. The offer reportedly involved buying Roberts' Elvis-themed gift shop Boulevard Souvenirs for about $350,000 and assuming the 13 years remaining on its lease. Roberts, who developed his independent retail operation at 3706 Elvis Presley Blvd. on land that once was the site of a car repair shop, turned down the request to sell. The store currently is stocked from front to back with trinkets such as old newspapers, T-shirts and mugs, and it grosses about $1 million a year.

But EPE didn't stop there, Roberts' attorney argues in a lawsuit filed earlier this year in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee. The corporation that officially conducts and manages Elvis-related business recently tweaked the licensing agreements it has in place with merchandise vendors. CKX Inc. and Robert F.X. Sillerman, which acquired an 85 percent ownership of Elvis Presley Enterprises in February 2005, were not named in the lawsuit.

License needed: A change that was inserted now prohibits vendors from selling their Elvis wares to unauthorized retailers within a 5-mile radius of Graceland.

"Well, guess who's within a 5-mile radius of Graceland?" said Randy Songstad, the attorney representing Boulevard Souvenirs. "So the vendors said, 'Hey, you can't do that, they do a lot of money with us.' "And (EPE) said, 'If you sell to them, we'll take your license.' So the vendors called us up, one by one, and said, 'It's killing us, but we can't sell to you.'"

Earlier this month, one of the federal claims filed on behalf of Boulevard Souvenirs - a claim that EPE and vice president of international licensing Carol Butler were conspiring to eliminate all independently owned retail competitors near Graceland - was dismissed. Why the conspiracy claim wasn't successful is that under the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890, a conspiracy involving a business and an employee can't technically be viewed as a conspiracy. A business, in other words, can't conspire with itself.

EPE did not respond to requests for an interview and stated in a previous e-mailed response that no comment would be forthcoming. In a motion to dismiss the claims against EPE, Glankler Brown PLLC attorney William Bradley Jr. wrote that the effort was made to amend the vendor license agreements partly in response to an uptick in the proliferation of bootlegged Elvis merchandise around Graceland.

"EPE does not want its 'genuine' merchandise sold in a place where bootleg or unauthorized merchandise is also sold," he wrote. EPE has in place more than 200 license agreements with licensees that either manufacture or authorize the manufacture of Elvis-themed collectibles and souvenirs.

Big year for business: Graceland, the late singer's famous mansion home, is a tourist mecca that averages about 566,000 visitors each year. Across the street from Graceland sits Graceland Plaza, where EPE operates a number of Elvis-themed museums and attractions and sells related merchandise.

This year has been an important year for both EPE and Boulevard Souvenirs, in that it marks the 30th anniversary of the singer's death. Throughout the anniversary year, tourists are expected to descend in droves on the commercial pocket of Whitehaven surrounding Graceland.

Boulevard Souvenirs also expected to see an increase in sales this year, according to court documents. Underneath the gift shop's store logo on the sign that's passed by swarms of daily tourists are the words "The Beat Goes On."

"If you don't have official EPE merchandise, you get people who come to town, that's what they want - you don't have it, they don't buy from you," Songstad said. "So it's a huge deal in our industry to be able to buy officially licensed Elvis Presley merchandise."

Boulevard Souvenirs is preparing its next move in the court action over what EPE sees as an assertion of more control over its signature product line and what the small store sees as a bid by EPE to shut it out of the marketplace inappropriately. Songstad declined to specify what legal options remain available, but insisted the recent dismissal of the conspiracy claim did not close the book on Boulevard's case. (Sale of EPE, Source: Andy Meek, The Daily News, 26 Oct 2007)

Elvis still big business: Even from beyond the grave, Elvis Presley still generates big bucks. That was even truer on the anniversary of his death last month.

Fans from Europe, Asia, Australia, South America - and even from exotic locales like Kansas - spent their hard-earned money for T-shirts, coffee mugs, salt and pepper shakers, refrigerator magnets and other trinkets during the events commemorating his death 30 years ago.

Many made the 110-mile trek from Memphis, Tenn., where the King of Rock 'n' Roll enjoyed his fame and gaudy fortune in Graceland, to Tupelo, the northeast Mississippi city where Elvis came into the world on Jan. 8, 1935, in a tiny shotgun shack built by his father. They also filled hotel rooms as far away as northwest Mississippi's casino row in Tunica and spent money on meals, rental cars and gasoline, giving a significant, although difficult to quantify, boost to the area's economy.

Dick Guyton, executive director of the Elvis Presley Memorial Foundation in Tupelo, estimated that fans spent hundreds of thousands of dollars there and at area hotels and stores this week, which is the busiest of the year for Elvis tourism.

The more lucrative earnings were in Memphis. Last year, Graceland took in $27 million in revenue, and the overall Elvis business brings in more than $40 million a year for CKX Inc., the New York-based company that controls most Elvis enterprises. ...

In Memphis on Aug. 15, thousands of Presley fans braved 105-degree heat as they wound down Graceland's driveway in a graveside procession in advance of the 30th anniversary of the singer's death Aug. 16.

The heat led to the death of a fan from New Jersey, a 67-year-old woman. The Memphis Fire Department said it also treated at least six people overcome by heat, including an 8-year-old boy who was hospitalized. (Source: AP/Presleys in the Press)

Don't step on Elvis! #1: No matter how un-logical EPE’s vision on Elvis merchandise may be, the company has and will always have the last word on Elvis related products. The Belgian wholesale company Sogilo discovered that the hard way. Sogilo had applied for the licensing of a series of Elvis products, including bathroom carpets. The first contacts via email were very promising for the Belgian company, although every email stated that EPE will have the final approval, before the products are commercially released. Sogilo also got permission to develop a few demonstration models. It was then, when EPE put their foot down and said “no” to the bathroom-carpet with Elvis’s picture and name. According to their lawyer, the company will never allow products with Elvis’s likeness that can be stepped on. The Belgian judge noted in his decision that EPE has a “difficult to understand” logic regarding Elvis related merchandise, but accepted the fact that the “heirs of Elvis” have the right to reject merchandise that doesn’t meet the guide lines of the company. Therefore, the bathroom carpet cannot be produced.

The Belgian company is not planning to put the case to rest. It believes that EPE has broken an pre-contractual agreement and appeals the decision. To be continued.

Below is Patricia Cappuyns's version of the judgement. Cappuyns represented Elvis Presley Enterprises.

In a judgment handed down on 26 March 2007, the Commercial Court of Dendermonde in Belgium clarified the intellectual property owner's prerogative to decide how his lP is to he used.

Belgian rug manufacturer and licensee candidate, Sogilo, entered into license negotiations with Elvis Presley Enterprises (EPE) through EPE's Benelux agent. The negotiations centred on the production of household goods bearing the likeness of Elvis and Elvis-related trade marks.

The agent made it clear from the beginning of the negotiations that everything discussed was subject to the approval of EPE. It was also made clear to Sogilo that the first step of the license negotiations consisted of completing a Business Proposal which would subsequently be submitted for EPE's approval.

Only after approval hy EPE of the Business Proposal could a formal agreement be entered into.

Under EPE's conditions, licensed products can only be brought to market once a formal agreement is signed and the various product approval procedures provided in it are complied with. Any product that does not follow the various stages of the approval procedure is immediately removed from the market.

Pending the license negotiations, EPE approved some products for the sole purpose of showing them at a trade fair in January 2002. Approval for a number of other products, such as bath mats and rugs, was withheld because EPE ohjected to any use that would entail stepping on the face of Elvis. However, unknown to EPE, Sogilo had already entered into agreements with its customers for products that had either not been approved, or that had only been approved for use at the trade fair.

When, finally, no license agreement was concluded and Sogilo had no Elvis products to deliver to its customers, Sogilo allegedly suffered lost profits and damage to its commercial reputation. The company then filed a claim for over €400,OOO (approximately US$537,000) in damages against EPE and its Benelux agent on the basis of contractual and pre-contractual liability. The basis of Sogilo's argument was that EPE did not communicate their disapproval of the use of Elvis' likeness on the rugs until the end of December 2001, by which time Sogilo had already started production of samples and was marketing them to its customers.

In the 26 March 2007 judgment, the Commercial Court of Dendermonde held that no contractual or pre-contractual fault had been committed by EPE or its agent, and dismissed Sogilo's claims.

The Court confirmed that it is the right holder's prerogative to exercise control over how his protected property is to be used by a (potential) licensee, especially if it was made clear to the (potential) licensee from the beginning of the negotiations that the right holder intended to exercise such control.

It had been made clear to Sogilo that any negotiations with the agent were subject to EPE's approval and every detail of the use of the images of Elvis Presley was subject to formal approval hy EPE. Although no licensing agreement was ever concluded between Sogilo and EPE it was made clear from the beginning that any products that were not formally approved by EPE in the pre-production stage would be removed from the market.

The Court concluded that Sogilo should have known that it was taking a considerable risk in giving instructions to third parties without having fust obtained formal approval on every detail from EPE. Sogilo's claim for damages was therefore dismissed. The judgment is still subject to appeal. see next story (Source: Elvis Matters, 2 Sep 2007) 

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Don't step on Elvis! (#2): In response to the foregoing report Elvis Express Radio has rightly drawn attention to the following products already licensed by EPE:

ELVIS SHOES or FLIP-FLOPS where you tread on his likeness and then pound the streets with his face on the soles.....or An Elvis chair where you can SIT on his face (yep, that rug looks degrading to his image now?)....Hey, why not a trash can so you can throw all your crap away IN Elvis....Last but not least the Elvis throw, which of course many fans also use as A RUG!!!!!!!! ( Source: Elvis Express Radio, 2 Sep 2007)

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Graceland expansion blog (1 Sep 2007)

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EPE warned about ETAs contest:  A high-ranking official with RCA/BMG records has twice told Elvis World, in private, that in a planning session with EPE for Elvis Week 2007, the record company strongly advised against EPE starting its own Elvis impersonator contest.

"We told them that if they got into the impersonator (ETA) business, all the press would flock to the Elvis look-alikes and would forget everything else. When they insisted they push ahead, we (RCA/BMG) felt like we didn't want to come out with some special release for the 30th anniversary because it would get lost in all the hoopla the press would be giving to the impersonators."

 

WELL, FOLKS, the warning has proven true!  You don't pick up a local Memphis newspaper, or turn on a local TV channel, without seeing Elvis impersonators everywhere you look.

 

They're everywhere! They're everywhere!

 

And, of course, media cameras always seek out the heaviest-set, ugliest ones with the worst looking sideburns.  One on TV last night sang a few bars of an Elvis song and I felt my TV screen was going to shatter! Even at the new Elvis Expo at the Cook Convention Center downtown, they are there entertaining and there's even an Elvis karaoke which attracts them like flies to a dumpster !

 

SO ... RCA/BMG seems to have known what it was talking about.

 

The new Elvis Expo has dealer tables covering over 35,000 square feet of space.  Heretofore, dealers have been limited to independent productions at the Clarion Hotel and Airport Inn.  Now, with the advent of Elvis Expo, we'd venture to say the independent Elvis "conventions" may soon be a thing of the past.

 

ONE WORD can be used to describe Elvis Week 2007: Commercialism! Or maybe two words: ELVIS COMMERCIALISM !!

 

And this is nothing but a preview of what is to come. Whereas the independent dealers' "Elvis conventions" cost $2 at the door; the Elvis Expo charges $15.  And being downtown, add another $10 or so for parking. (Source: Bill E. Burk, Aug 2007)

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Graceland welcomes the impersonators - a sign of the new Elvis world: Viewed for years by the gatekeepers to Elvis Presley's Graceland with a mixture of resigned bemusement and outright disgust, impersonators of the King finally have their first chance to participate in an officially sanctioned tribute to the rock legend.

Managers of Presley's home in Memphis plan to anoint their first-ever official Elvis "tribute artist" on Friday, near the end of a week of events commemorating the 30th anniversary of Presley's death on Aug. 16, 1977. Elvis died at 42 of heart disease worsened by drug abuse.

The rules are simple: Nothing tacky or kitschy, and no ridiculous spoof. The contest judges will be looking for sincerity and respect — even if it is accompanied by karate moves, black pompadours and rhinestone jumpsuits.

"It's all about paying tribute to the life and legacy of Elvis," said Paul Jankowski, marketing chief for Elvis Presley Enterprises Inc., the company that operates Graceland and its sprawling tourist complex.

The "Ultimate Elvis" search has been under way since March with a series of preliminary contests around the world. Twenty-four contestants made it to Memphis, but 14 were eliminated Sunday in a final qualifier.

The finalists for the contest are all white men in their 20s to 40s, but Jankowski said preliminary contests, which must be approved by Graceland, are under no orders to restrict contestants by age, race or ethnicity.

The decision to hold the contest follows a change of heart by Elvis Presley Enterprises after its sale two years ago to CKX Inc., which also owns the "American Idol" TV show.

"There are competitions all over the world and they're all fantastic, but to have one run by Elvis Presley Enterprises is something special," said Paul Larcombe, a professional tribute artist from Crewe, England, and one of 10 finalists for the Graceland crown.

Unofficial Elvis impersonator contests, with performers ranging from the ridiculous to the reverential, are held around the globe, drawing participants of all sizes, shapes, ethnicity and ages. There are even female Elvises. But for the serious tribute artists, some of whom make a living copying the King, winning the official Graceland title, or just getting to the finals, may be rewarding. (Source: AP, 14 Aug 2007)

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The man who owns Elvis: Elvis Presley was the king — rock's first icon. A hip-swiveling heartthrob with more hit records than anyone in history. Thirty years after his death, Elvis is still idolized. So what is that name worth now?

To Bob Sillerman, who bought the king's name and likeness, it was worth $114 million. That's what his company, CKX, paid for Elvis Presley enterprises two years ago. Elvis' music was not part of the deal. he sold most of his hits back to his label before his death. but the family sold 85 percent of everything else and his ex-wife Priscilla Presley says it wasn't an easy decision.

"Absolutely. I mean I'm not gonna lie. It's pretty frightening when, you know, you've been a private company for all these years," she told Sunday Morning correspondent Anthony Mason. "You know and you're the boss."

But Priscilla, the mother of his only child, Lisa Marie, says the family business needed an investor to expand. And Sillerman was just the man to do it.

"He just got it," she said. "You know there is no other company like his company."

His company also owns the "American Idol' franchise, which Sillerman bought for $175 million. Then last year he added "the greatest of all time" to his roster of icons, buying rights to Muhammad Ali's name for another $50 million. A Bronx born billionaire, Sillerman made his fortune in radio and the concert promotion business. Now he sees Elvis as an under developed asset. On his corporate jet, Mason flew with him to Memphis to tour Graceland, the 13 acre estate where Elvis lived with Priscilla and Lisa Marie. Sillerman said he doesn't feel like he owns Graceland

"It's still their home," he said. "I don't think you can own something that's as big as Elvis Presley. I think I feel a sense of stewardship. But not ownership."

Each year, 600,000 people file through Graceland. Sillerman believes he can double that number

"So many people want to come to Graceland because they want to celebrate his life," Sillerman said. "You know 40 percent of our visitors are unaccompanied kids under the age of 35. It tells you that it does get passed down."

He wants to move the visitor center which sits on the other side of Elvis Presley boulevard and put it next to Graceland. The heartbreak hotel will be torn down to make way for two bigger hotels. In the entire complex that takes up 25 acres will grow to more than 100 acres. At the same time Sillerman is working with Cirque du Soleil to create a permanent Elvis show for Las Vegas and traveling shows that could tour the world.

"China is so big it could probably support a touring show forever," Sillerman said. "We're all thrilled about it. We think it's a whole other take on Elvis," Priscilla Presley said. "I think he would absolutely love it."

"If the Cirque du Soleil numbers hold true for Elvis, as they have for every one of their other shows, we're in a position to be making 100 million dollars a year in a few years," Sillerman said. "You know, that's a no-brainer."

Starting with a single small town radio station. Now Sillerman's the man who bought "American Idol," Ali and Elvis.

"Look at what Bobby Sillerman from the Bronx has — God Bless America," Sillerman said. (Sale of EPE Archives, Source: CBS News, 18 July 2007)

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Elvis Still Selling Elvis Best: Ever wonder how the marketing minds at Elvis Presley Enterprises keep the king's pop culture reign going nearly 30 years after his death? "We just answer the phone," said Scott Williams, EPE marketing and communications director, in a presentation Wednesday to the Public Relations Society of America's Memphis chapter. There is, of course, more than that to creating all those tie-ins -- Elvis and Budweiser, Elvis and Harley-Davidson, an all-Elvis channel on Sirius Satellite Radio-- that keep the singer's name, image and music prominent. It was all to make Williams' point that "Elvis sells Elvis better than anything we can do." But just answering the phones at EPE must be a chore, because they apparently ring a lot. "I think only 3 percent of the licensing applications get approved," Williams said. "One thing about EPE that's really great is, they really think through the planning of the products and promotions."

He highlighted one that made the cut -- a partnership with Hershey's that's led to limited-edition Reese's peanut butter and banana creme cups. Reese's also will be giving away a pink Cadillac and a trip to Graceland.

"They're also going to give away ... some checks that Elvis wrote -- that have been canceled," Williams said.

"This is what's so fun about working with brands like this -- they just have some great ideas."

Williams, during his address to the PR types, also put in a pitch for elvisweek.com. That's the Web site devoted to next month's 30th anniversary edition of Elvis Week. (Source: Commercial Appeal, 13 July 2007) 

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Butler pays $66,000 to settle Elvis case: A British-born butler who ran the beachside estate of a millionaire American entertainment mogul is paying $66,180 to settle charges that he used confidential information from his boss's office to trade on the stock market. Graham Lefford promoted himself as an old-style British gentleman's gentleman and has given interviews to the US media with tips on discretion and etiquette.

In a case brought last year, he was accused by the Securities and Exchange Commission of reading sensitive faxes sent to the 22,000 square foot country retreat of his employer, the American Idol creator Robert Sillerman, in the Long Island enclave of Southampton.

According to the charges, Mr Lefford discovered from private correspondence in 2004 that Mr Sillerman was about to use a publicly listed shell company, Sports Entertainment Enterprises, to buy the commercial rights to Elvis Presley's estate.The butler quietly made a personal investment of $600 in the company's shares - and turned a quick profit of $48,525 when the stock rocketed days later.

Although he has neither admitted nor denied the charges, Mr Lefford this week agreed to pay back profits of $31,450, interest of $3,280 and a penalty of $31,450.

The SEC said Mr Lefford had breached an "express duty of trust and confidence" enshrined in an agreement signed with Mr Sillerman when he became an employee.

Mr Lefford, who moved to America at the age of nine and became a US citizen, has previously described himself as one of only 25 "top-notch" butlers in the US. In a 2004 interview with the New York Sun, he said the first rule of being a butler was discretion - and he blasted the Princess of Wales's former butler Paul Burrell for his tell-all tendencies.

"You can't use what you overhear," he said. "It's a breach of trust. No exceptions. It's the code. I am hired to keep my mouth shut. It's what I'm paid for." (Source: Guardian Unlimited, 13 July 2007)

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Elvis in the building...psychics reveal: Psychics have told Daytona Beach resident Jeffery Golden he is the reincarnation of Elvis Presley's twin brother, who died at birth. Saturday, judges will tell Golden and 19 other Elvis impersonators whether they have the right stuff to win the "Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest." Read full story (Source: Daytona Beach News Online, 16 June 2007)

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"Legends In Concert" show drops Elvis as headline act: Is EPE heading in the wrong direction with its Elvis stratefy? As EPE gears up on a steady diet of ETA competitions, the times are a changing elsewhere.

There's a different wrinkle to the latest edition of "Legends in Concert," which runs through June 28 at Resorts Atlantic City. For the first time in memory -- maybe the first time ever -- the popular musical mimic-fest is not anchored by an Elvis Presley impersonator. While there are sure to be some "Legends" devotees for whom this will be a major disappointment, it certainly doesn't detract from what is, overall, a typically strong program. In Elvis' stead is Cookie Watkins, whose turn as Tina Turner is filled with appropriate amounts of sass, sizzle and sex appeal.

Sporting a nest of blond hair and long legs accentuated by dangerously spiked heels, Watkins looks amazingly similar to the rhythm 'n' blues legend. She, likewise, delivers an excellent approximation of the pop 'n' soul diva's guttural vocal style on such songs as "What's Love Got To Do with It" and her late-'60s signature take on "Proud Mary." Two other acts, Steve McCoy and John Anthony, give Watkins a run for her money. (Almost Elvis, Source: Courier Post Online, 15 June 2007)

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CKX agrees to Sillerman/Fuller buyout deal - future is real estate & location based attractions: The parent company of 19 Entertainment, CKX, has agreed to a $1.3 billion takeover deal from US tycoon Robert Sillerman and Pop Idol creator Simon Fuller.

CKX shareholders will get $13.75 per share in cash as well as shares in FX Luxury Realty, an affiliate of Sillerman that has real estate interests in Las Vegas.

The sale, through a merger with 19X, a private firm owned by Sillerman and Fuller, will be financed through a combination of equity and debt financing, with cash also coming from Sillerman and Fuller's own pockets.

As well as owning 19 Entertainment, CKX has exclusive talent deals with David and Victoria Beckham, Rachel Stevens, Will Young, Claudia Schiffer, Annie Lennox and Emma Bunton. The firm also owns a controlling interest in Elvis Presley Enterprises and owns certain rights to the names and images of Elvis Presley and Muhammad Ali.

Commenting on the series of transactions, Mr. Sillerman said, "After two successful years of developing and exploiting the assets we have acquired, during which time we have seen tremendous year over year growth, we have come to realize that there is a substantial opportunity to capitalize on the Elvis Presley and Muhammad Ali assets in real estate and location-based attractions. However, the pursuit of these opportunities would require a significant investment of capital, which could hinder our ability to grow the core area of our business and which is not consistent with the business plan that we have always described to our stockholders.

As a result, we thought it best to provide our stockholders a capital realization opportunity as well as the opportunity to participate in a new public company that will develop real estate and location-based projects that exploit CKX's iconic intellectual property content. We believe that the transactions that we announced today accomplish that goal."

Mr. Fuller added, "I am extremely proud of what we have accomplished and am looking forward so much to continuing to work with Bob building the amazing assets that we have in Idol, Elvis Presley, Muhammad Ali and the Beckhams. I believe this transaction provides the best way to maximize the value we have created."

Also on June 1, 2007, CKX acquired 50 percent of FX Luxury Realty LLC for cash consideration of $100 million. The distribution by CKX to its stockholders of half of CKX's interests in FX Luxury Realty is a condition to the closing of the merger transaction.

Under the deal, FX Luxury Realty has signed licences to use certain intellectual property rights of CKX associated with Presley and Ali in the development of real estate and attraction-based projects. (Sale of EPE, Source: Digital Spy/Elites TV, 5 June 2007)

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Elvis and Ali revive CKX: Shares of CKX, the owner of the “American Idol,” Muhammed Ali and Elvis Presley brands, including the operations of Graceland, were rocking Friday after the company agreed to a buyout by chief executive officer, Robert Sillerman, and Idol creator, Simon Fuller, for $1.3 billion.

Sillerman, the company’s biggest shareholder, and Fuller, the chief executive officer of 19 Entertainment, a wholly owned subsidiary of CKX, made a proposal to the company’s board of directors to purchase the company’s outstanding stock for $13.75 a share in cash, a 29% premium over the stock’s closing price Thursday of $10.63.

Share of CKX skyrocketed $3.77, or 3547%, to $14.40 on Friday following the announcement of the deal.

Andrew Baker, an analyst with Cathay Financial, said Sillerman and Fuller’s offer to take the company private includes all the businesses CKX currently operates--19 Entertainment, the “Idol” television brand, Elvis Presley’s Graceland, the likenesses, name, and image of both Muhammed Ali and Presley, and all other ancillary pieces. It also includes a proposed deal with Cirque du Soleil to develop an Elvis-themed project over the next 15 years.

At the same time, Baker said, the management team is putting other businesses into a new company, FX Luxury Realty, a CKX affiliate, which they bought half of this morning. FXLR has an interest in 17.7 acres of land on the Las Vegas strip and shares in Riviera Holdings (nasdaq: riv - news- people ), as well as the rights to future Elvis and Muhammed Ali-themed hotels, casinos, retreats and restaurants. “I have a high degree of confidence they will build something akin to an Elvis Heartbreak Hotel and Casino,” said Baker.

The company has a 45-day “go shop” period, Baker said, to see if someone will come in and make an offer to buy the company. One potential buyer, Baker speculated, was News Corp. (nyse: NWS - news - people ), which may want to own “American Idol,” instead of just licensing it from CKX, although they could always make an offer for “Idol” once the company becomes private. The other possibility is a real estate company since there are many Muhammed Ali and Elvis casino and hotel development options.

Ordinarily, when management makes a buyout, Baker said, they need a majority of the disinterested shareholders to approve. “That doesn’t appear to be the case here,” he said. “Unless someone comes in shareholders will not be given the opportunity to vote this down.”

Baker has an “outperform” rating on CKX and a price target of $18. “The likelihood of another buyer coming in is relatively limited,” he said. “But for every seller there’s a buyer. It’s an interesting bet. It will be a real estate play.” (News, Source: Ruthie Ackerman, Forbes.com, 1 June 2007)

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Graceland kingdom expansion hinges on public funds - proposal dovetails with city plans to rejuvenate Whitehaven area: Elvis Presley's Graceland kingdom would be totally transformed -- the king's mansion aside -- in a $250 million improvement plan led by CKX Inc. chief executive Robert F.X. Sillerman.
 
There would be a new boutique convention hotel, a potential second hotel, a new visitors center, new attractions and new shops within five years -- provided local and state governments commit to an unidentified amount of funding, as Sillerman hopes will happen within the month.

"I think they recognize that we're blessed with an attraction like Graceland. There's really nothing like it in the world," Sillerman said Friday, after it was announced that publicly traded CKX is being taken private in a buyout he's leading. "With the kind of investment we're prepared to make, in partnership with the jurisdictions, we really could have a significant impact on the entire region. They recognize it and we're thrilled about it."

Shelby County Mayor A C Wharton also expressed optimism about the project, without specifically addressing the funding issue.

"This significant private investment will have a positive impact on the community as a whole, but it also dovetails into our existing efforts to further enhance the vitality of the Whitehaven community," Wharton said in a statement. "The company's commitment will facilitate our efforts to attract additional businesses and biomedical companies to the corridor and assist in the development of our aerotropolis strategy. We look forward to working with the company, other local officials and the people of the Whitehaven community to bring this plan to fruition."

On the city side, chief financial officer Robert Lipscomb referred questions about public funding to Mayor Willie Herenton. Attempts to reach him were unsuccessful. There have been ongoing talks between EPE and public officials, including a March meeting attended by Sillerman, Wharton, Herenton, Lipscomb, members of the Memphis Regional Chamber and Priscilla Presley.

Also, the City Council asked the Herenton administration to develop a plan for a Center City Commission-like board to oversee the redevelopment of the area, which includes Memphis International Airport and Brooks Road. Although plagued by decay, the area also is home to three of the city's key industries -- distribution and logistics, medical device manufacturing and tourism and entertainment.

"We need a lot of help from the community," said Jack Soden, Elvis Presley Enterprises CEO. "It wouldn't work to think in terms of this 100-acre campus and pouring a tremendous investment in here and just hoping things work out OK for Elvis Presley Boulevard and Whitehaven. It all has to be integrated -- the Brooks Road initiative, Elvis Presley Boulevard, the whole community. We want to be the catalyst for just a huge rebirth, redevelopment of the whole Whitehaven area."

Sillerman, asked if government funding is essential to his plan, said, "That's exactly right."

Sillerman paid $100 million for an 85-percent stake in EPE in a deal announced in December 2004. He vowed to transform what had been run as a "family business," using a "risk-oriented and expansive approach."

During a February 2006 visit to Memphis, Sillerman talked of doubling Graceland's total of 600,000 annual visitors and said the late King of Rock and Roll's home should "take its logical place as one of the great attractions in America, like Disneyland or Universal theme parks."

Toward that goal, EPE and affiliated companies have been gobbling up real estate, and now own or control more than 100 acres around the mansion. The companies have spent more than $13 million on property since January 2006, including a 182-unit apartment complex and former car dealership. Friday's announcement that CKX -- which also owns rights to the Muhammad Ali name and the "American Idol" TV show -- is going private could speed up the Memphis project.

That's because while CKX goes private, an affiliated company, FX Luxury Realty LLC, would pursue the Elvis-related real estate projects around Graceland -- as well a hotel and casino development in Las Vegas.

"It was frankly too big a project for a company like CKX," said Sillerman, who built billion-dollar entertainment empires with radio stations and concert promotions. "What we have created is an opportunity for the real estate development company to do that. Assuming we have appropriate cooperation from the city, county and state, this actually should speed up the regeneration, if you will, of the area surrounding Graceland." (Source www.commercialappeal.com/ It's Elvis Time, 3 June 2007)

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EPE organisation may again be privately owned: CKX, Inc. (NASDAQ: CKXE), announced today that it entered into a series of transactions that will result in the sale of the Company at a price of $13.75 per share in cash and the distribution to CKX stockholders of shares in FX Luxury Realty, LLC, an affiliate of Robert F.X. Sillerman that has significant real estate interests in Las Vegas and has entered into licenses to use certain intellectual property rights of CKX associated with Elvis Presley and Muhammad Ali in the development of real estate and attraction based projects. Read full article (Source: EPE, 1 June 2007)

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Your 'strong' reaction to Boulevard Souvenirs sueing EPE

Reaction to Boulevard Souvenirs suing EPE: There has been a strong reaction to news of EPE apparently trying to force Boulevard Souvenirs out of business. Last year EPE did not renew the lease of Memories of Elvis/Carol's Gifts and Collectibles, another long established Elvis outlet opposite Graceland. This forced Carol to move premises away from Graceland and sadly she announced recently she is closing her doors for good.

Fans have vocal about the latest market move by EPE. From "stormtrooper tactics", bully boys", and "Graceland is Greedland", to "Sillerman Gecko" and "Disgraceland" (a term originally coined by Elvisly Yours' Sid Shaw), fans reaction has been far from positive.

EIN wonders what Elvis would make of all this. I think we all know the answer! (EIN Comment)

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Boulevard Souvenirs suing EPE: A souvenir shop next door to Graceland accuses Elvis Presley Enterprises of federal monopoly violations, restraint of trade, conspiracy and tortious interference.

Boulevard Souvenirs, which has 13 years remaining on its lease on Elvis Presley Boulevard, claims co-defendant Carol Butler, vice president of international licensing for Elvis Presley Enterprises, has been trying to force it out of business for years.

Rick Roberts, who founded Boulevard in 2000, says vendors told him that in January this year that defendants demanded that licensees of Elvis products refuse to sell to anyone else within 5 miles of Graceland.

He cites a letter the defendants allegedly sent to vendors, saying the ostensible reason for this antitrust violation is to “prevent the commingling of Licensed Products with counterfeit goods”.

Unless vendors of licensed products signed the letter, Elvis Presley Enterprises threatened to terminate them, he says. Now all of his vendors have cut him off. He says he was grossing $1 million a year. He demands $13 million for 13 years of lost profits, and $26 million in punitive damages.

He is represented by Randall Songstad of Arlington, Tenn. (Source: Courthouse News/Elvis Express, 6 May 2007 )

See the Complaint

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CKX 2006 stock exchange return: The Robert Sillerman company responsible for things Elvis has submitted its 2006 Securities and Stock Exchange report. It makes very interesting reading and covers issues from revenues to the number of visitors to the official Elvis website. (Sale of EPE Archives, Source: Dr John Walker)

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Click to read CKX 2005 Annual Report

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Marketing Elvis -- good gig if you can get it, right?: How do you successfully market the Elvis brand in 2007? To find out, meet theman Bob Sillerman hired to lead the Elvis marketing charge...Paul Jankowski. Paul has many interesting things to say about target audiences and EPE in the digital age. Read full story/interview (Source: Commercial Appeal, 26 March 2007)

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EPE Real Estate Acquisitions and Development Plans - 2007

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EPE, SOFA and Leiber & Stoller Awarded Damages in Lawsuit Against Elvis Documentary Producers: In what is considered a significant monetary judgment for copyright infringement lawsuits, the United States District Court in Los Angeles has awarded plaintiffs Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. (EPE), SOFA Entertainment, Inc. and songwriters Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller $2.8 million in damages and attorneys fees to be paid by Passport International Productions, Inc. (a/k/a Passport Video, Inc.) and its owner, Dante Pugliese.

The case began in 2002 when, without permission and against numerous express objections, Passport manufactured and sold a set of eight DVDs entitled "25th Anniversary Elvis: The Definitive Collection August 16, 1977 - August 16, 2002," otherwise entitled "The Definitive Elvis." The 16-hour set included copyrighted works and the rights of publicity owned by Plaintiffs. In reaching its decision, the Court agreed that Passport released the set with the full knowledge that Plaintiffs did not consent to the unauthorized use of their copyrighted material, and that their activities would mislead consumers and damage Plaintiffs. Passport appealed the case up to the 9th Circuit, claiming "Fair Use," arguing that the set was a documentary look at the life of Elvis Presley. The Court did not agree in a 2005 ruling, and the decision successfully delineated the limits of the Fair Use defense.

“This is a landmark decision for all of us,” stated Gary Hovey, Executive Vice President of Entertainment/Music Publishing for Elvis Presley Enterprises. “We are delighted with the Court’s ruling, the damages awarded and the precedent it sets.”

The copyrighted materials included Presley home movies owned by EPE, material from “The Ed Sullivan Show,” and portions of “Ed Sullivan Rock & Roll Classics – Elvis Presley,” owned by SOFA Entertainment, a producer of movies, videos and television programs. Other unauthorized material was from the EPE owned “The Elvis 1968 Comeback Special (a/k/a "The Singer Special,”) “Aloha From Hawaii,” and “Elvis In Concert,” which also include songs written by Leiber & Stoller.

“It is reassuring to know that the courts have seen fit to uphold our copyrights thereby putting unscrupulous parties on notice that historic performances from ‘The Ed Sullivan Show,’ cannot be used by those who prefer to steal rather than to license,” commented Andrew Solt of SOFA Entertainment. “We are very pleased with the court’s informed decision.”

“Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller have always supported the ownership and protection of intellectual property,” said Randy Poe, President of Leiber & Stoller Music Publishing. “This ruling puts on notice anyone wishing to improperly claim ‘Fair Use,’ rather than acquiring permission from the copyright owner.”

George R. Hedges of Quinn Emanuel Urquhart Oliver & Hedges, LLP successfully argued the case for the Plaintiffs. (Source: EPE, 16 Feb 2007)

EIN Note: The Definitive Elvis is the biggest selling Elvis DVD in Australia. It was the #1 selling Music DVD in 2002 and has been released in both ordinary and limited edition "Gold" editions.

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Presley Publishing Now Exclusively With Cherry Lane: New York based indie Cherry Lane Music Publishing has been selected by Elvis Presley Enterprises, LLC and the estate of Julian Aberbach to administer their 75% share of their prestigious Elvis Presley catalogue. The catalogue contains over 1,000 songs recorded by Elvis Presley as well as other legendary singers of the time, including Peggy Lee, Nat King Cole and Ella Fitzgerald. Cherry Lane had previously administered 25% of the catalogue on behalf of the estate of Jean Aberbach. The multi-year deal marks the first time since 2000 that the administration of the catalogue will be handled by one publisher, a scenario coveted by music licensees given the speed and efficiency of "one-stop" publishing.

In addition, Cherry Lane has committed to special promotions specific to the catalogue. These will include advertisements in Film, TV and advertising trades as well as delivery of songs to music supervisors on branded digital music players.

Phil Cialdella, Vice President, Administration and Licensing for Cherry Lane, notes "Representing this prestigious song catalogue has been a tremendous honor, and carries great responsibility. We look forward to further maximizing the exposure and accessibility of these legendary songs by consolidating and expediting the clearance process for music users. Everyone benefits, but the songs will benefit the most."

"All of us at EPE are looking forward to collaborating with Cherry Lane in promoting these catalogues filled with songs Elvis made popular," states Gary Hovey, Executive Vice-President of EPE. "We are very excited about working together to bring these great songs to new generations through the many new technologies we have today." (News, Source: EPE, 29 Jan 2007)

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ELVIS AND CIRQUE STILL ON!!!: (see earlier stories below) Luxe Life is always happy to clear up misinformation when it comes to rampant rumors. We finally got word from Cirque officials about our story on Monday about the rumored breakup of the Elvis/Cirque du Soleil deal for their proposed joint 2009 show at City Center and we're happy to now tell you Elvis and Cirque are still together! Our friends at Cirque advised: "Regarding the Cirque du Soleil Elvis production at City Center, just to let you know all systems are go with that project, so the rumors you heard were incorrect." (News, Source: Vegas Pop, 25 Jan 2007)

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Elvis - Cirque du Soleil partnership still on?: Brian Quinn responded to our story on 23 January saying his sources tell him the planned Elvis themed shows via Cirque du Soleil are still on. EIN earlier contacted EPE and is still waiting on an official response regarding the matter. (Source: Brian Quinn/EIN, 25 Jan 2007)

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Plans for Elvis themed Cirque du Soleil show collapse?: Rumors are rampant around Vegas show-business circles this morning that the giant alliance between Cirque du Soleil and Robert FX Sillerman to launch an Elvis Presley show in the new MGM City Center, currently under construction, has collapsed.

Luxe Life will attempt to obtain official Cirque clarification this morning, but staffers learned over the weekend that the two producing entities had allegedly agreed to part company. Before the rumored shakeup and split, plans called for Cirque to develop the Elvis show for the 2009 opening of the three hotel-towered mega-city on 70-acres of land between the Bellagio and the Monte Carlo hotels at center-Strip.

It has only been two weeks since public sales began on the residences at City Center. As of this weekend 1,500 reservations have been taken out of 2,700 total units. The sales staff has added 300 sales in just 14 days from the 1,200 that were snapped up opening weekend, indicating still strong demand for on-Strip condominium projects.

Cirque has been simultaneously developing a new magic show with 'Mindfreak' magician Criss Angel for the Luxor which Luxe Life will have all the latest details on Wednesday. Cirque director Gilles Ste-Croix confirmed the Elvis project to Luxe Life several months ago adding he also wanted to develop an ice-skating themed entertainment spectacular sometime in the future. (Source: Vegas Popular/Luxe Life, 23 Jan 2007)

EIN Comment: If this rumor is true it is major setback for EPE. A high profile show like Cirque du Soleil would have brought Elvis' music to new generations of fans. See also earlier story below dated 18 May 2006

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Marketing Elvis difficult sell to today's youth: Teenagers in the 1950s and '60s went wild over Elvis Presley, much to the consternation of their parents, but kids in the new millennium aren't so stirred by rock 'n' roll's original rebel.

"I can't try to sell somebody Elvis who doesn't know who he is . . . that he's not just some guy who's been gone for 30 years," said Paul Jankowski, chief of marketing for Elvis Presley Enterprises Inc.

Next year, three decades after Presley's death, the multimillion-dollar Elvis business will try to connect with a new generation of teenage fans.

"Our opportunity demographic is really going to be 12 to 34 (years old), with a sweet spot around the 18-24 area," Jankowski said.

Early in Presley's career, teenagers gathered at jukeboxes or around turntables. But now the music has moved to the Internet, on sites like MySpace and YouTube. Next year more film clips, photos and other material from the vast Presley archives will be showing up online.

"We will take our My-Space page and we will focus on expanding our number of friends on My-Space, that kind of thing," Jankowski said. "There's all kinds of Elvis content on YouTube, things that we put up, things that fans put up."

MySpace is a social-networking site that lets visitors share photos and personal web pages. YouTube lets users post and share videos. Moving Elvis content online should be easy; making Elvis cool again will be more difficult. After all, for most kids, Elvis is the music of their parents' -- or grandparents' -- generation.
Aaron O'Connell, a 17-year-old from Fredericksburg, Va., said it could be tough to make Elvis relevant again.

"Probably in today's world, like, he wouldn't be as cool, but back then he probably was," said O'Connell, a high school junior. (Source: AP, 1 Jan 2007)

2006

EPE announces new Elvis plans for the 30th Anniversary, 2007

New expanded Graceland Museum exhibit for 2007: In March 2007 a special exhibit of Elvis' stage costumes from 1969-1977 will open in the Graceland visitor center at the Sincerely Elvis Museum. This is an exhibition space that will feature a new themed exhibit each year. The permanent exhibits at Graceland relating the story of Elvis' career, also featuring a significant display of costumes, will remain. The special exhibit however will feature more than 50 additional Presley stage outfits, such as the famed "jumpsuits," with metal and rhinestone studding and matching capes, and others with elaborate embroidery. In addition, there will be related photographs, archival documents and performance footage. The special exhibit will be on display for two years. (Source: EPE/Sanja/EIN)

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EPE announces plans to carry the Elvis phenomenon to even greater heights in the new millennium: With younger and younger audiences discovering Elvis and the number of projects planned for 2007, the King of Rock & Roll continues to entertain with a career reaching new generations. The anniversary year begins with the January 8 celebration of his birthday at Graceland and continues through Elvis Week 2007 in August, which promises to be the largest ever.

Nearly thirty years ago on August 16, 1977, legendary entertainer Elvis Presley died at age 42. At the start of his career, his unique, instinctive, natural blending of pop, country, gospel and R&B music, presented with his charismatic and then-provocative style, touched off a revolution in music and popular culture. Today, his influence still reverberates and his presence seems more ubiquitous than ever. There are at least 400 active independent Elvis fan clubs around the globe and on the Internet there are hundreds of Web sites devoted to interest in the superstar in addition to the official site, Elvis.com. In recent years, Elvis CD and DVD releases have topped the sales charts in territories around the world. Today, licensing activity for official Elvis products and ventures is at an all-time high. Recently Atlantic Monthly magazine published the results of its poll of ten eminent historians to name the 100 most influential figures of American history. Elvis Presley is one of only a handful of entertainment artists to make the list.

Graceland Mansion welcomes over 600,000 visitors per year - half of them today are age 35 and under. In 2006, the Graceland staff played host to President George Bush and avowed Elvis fan, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi of Japan, an event that generated extensive media coverage everywhere. Also in 2006, Graceland Mansion, the most famous home in America after The White House, was designated a National Historic Landmark in recognition of the fact that Elvis Presley lived there.

Now, EPE Inc. and CKX, Inc., along with their collaborators, licensees and venture partners, are preparing for a full and exciting year of activity in 2007, the 30th Anniversary of Elvis' passing, which is expected to help carry the Elvis phenomenon to even greater heights. It begins with the Elvis Presley Birthday Celebration at Graceland in January, follows through with special DVD and CD releases and special official products from licensees, and crescendos in August with what is expected to be the biggest of all the annual Elvis Week celebrations to date.

DVD and CD Releases: Currently on the global market as the 30th Anniversary year is about to dawn are the Summer 2006 single-disc concert releases Elvis: '68 Comeback - Special Edition DVD and Elvis: Aloha from Hawaii - Special Edition DVD, which are follow-ups to the 2004 smash hit release of deluxe box sets of material shot for these programs, and the November 2005 release Elvis - The Ed Sullivan Shows, a three-disc DVD set containing in their entirety the three Ed Sullivan Show episodes in which Elvis appeared. Completed and in limited release in 2006 are the single-disc DVD Elvis Lives - The 25th Anniversary Concert and the DVD box set Elvis: The Ultimate Movie Collection - Graceland Edition, both of which will see their full retail rollout in early 2007. Anticipated for 2007 are upgraded DVD re-releases and first-time DVD releases of a roster of Elvis Presley movies. In the summer of 2007, EPE is set to release an all-new and expanded edition of its popular DVD, Elvis Presley's Graceland - The Official Tour DVD.

TV Land: Throughout August 2007, the TV network will pay tribute to Elvis featuring his movies, televisions specials and other programming, including material from Elvis: '68 Comeback - Special Edition DVD and Elvis: Aloha from Hawaii - Special Edition DVD. "Elvis Month" on TV Land will be complemented by an off-air promotional campaign.

Graceland's Silver & Gold Anniversary and More: The year 2007 marks not only the 30th anniversary of the death of Elvis Presley, but also the 25th anniversary of the opening of Graceland Mansion for public tours and the 50th anniversary of Presley's purchase of his famed home. Elvis bought Graceland in March of 1957 and it opened to the public in June of 1982. In addition to the aforementioned new Graceland Tour DVD release, commemorating this dual anniversary will be the enormously popular artist Thomas Kinkade, who will unveil his special painting of Graceland Mansion and release limited edition prints, which will be available in both canvas and paper. The painting will be unveiled in a special event at Graceland in March 2007, approximately one year after Graceland was designated a National Historic Landmark.

Elvis 30th Anniversary Harley-Davidson: In January 2007, Bruce Rossmeyer's Harley-Davidson® motorcycles - the preferred brand of cycle enthusiast Elvis Presley - will open a permanent exhibition across the street from Graceland. The company will also introduce the design of a limited edition of thirty Harley-Davidson motorcycles to be specially customized in tribute to Elvis for the 30th Anniversary year. Construction on each of the thirty bikes will commence as each advance order comes in. All are scheduled for completion in the summer and purchasers will be given the option of attending a special ceremony at Graceland in August during Elvis Week 2007 to pick up their custom Elvis Harley-Davidsons. The design will be completed and unveiled in early 2007.

Elvis Week 2007 in Memphis: Tens of thousands of fans are expected to make the 30th Anniversary edition the biggest Elvis Week to date. Along with the traditional Candlelight Vigil at Graceland, key events are the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest, the first-ever official Elvis tribute artist contest presented by EPE, and Elvis: The 30th Anniversary Concert starring the real Elvis Presley via video technology, accompanied live on stage by an orchestra and a large cast of his original concert musicians and back-up singers. Elvis Week 2007, set for August 11-19, will include approximately four-dozen entertainment, social, sports and charity events. The 30th Anniversary Concert, to be staged at FedExForum in Memphis on August 16, is already over 70% sold out even though there has not been an actual press release to announce the concert and the first concert advertisement has yet to run.
The full roster of Elvis Week 2007 events presented by EPE and by participating organizations is still being planned. A continuously updated calendar of events can be found on Elvis.com or one can go directly to the calendar through the address ElvisWeek.com. (Source: EPE December 2006)

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Sun Entertainment posts 2006 profit: Sun Entertainment Holding Corporation (Pink Sheets: SETHF) is pleased to report earnings of $158,966 or $0.013 per share for the quarter ending September 30, 2006. Earnings for the quarter ending September 30, 2005 were $75,261 or $0.006 per share.

Earnings for the nine month period ending September 30, 2006 were a record $676,053 or $0.057 per share compared to $241,618 or $0.02 per share for the same period of 2005.

Revenues for the quarter ending September 30, 2006 were $528,097 compared to $415,853 for the same period of 2005. Revenues for the nine month period ending September 30, 2006 were $2,155,323 compared to $1,322,902 for the same period of 2005.

The majority of the revenues are generated from Sun's catalogue of over 8,000 master recordings. The Company has been working to expand its merchandising of Sun logo products. In October, Sun announced that it had entered into a licensing agreement with Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. for the use of its trademarks in the name, image and likeness of Elvis Presley together with the Sun Records logo. Sun is working on a broad range of Sun/Elvis retail products, the first of which are expected to be available for retail sales in the first quarter of 2007. (Source: MSN Money, 16 Dec 2006)

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EPE ETA competition sparks mixed response: Reaction to the news we broke yesterday about EPE sanctioning an Elvis impersonators contest has been mixed. We have received more than 20 messages with some fans criticising the move as they feel many ETAs are not professional enough and seeing it as a cynical move to end the long running Images of the King contest which has regional heats, and climaxes each August in Memphis during Elvis Week. Others see it as an opportunity to further broaden the Elvis icon to the mainstream audience. EIN understands EPE's interest in producing the ETA competition, but in our view a competition based solely around Elvis is too narrow to be a major success. But time will tell. (17 Nov 2006)

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It's now official - read EPE's Press Release

EPE announces Elvis reality TV show: Although the official press release is a few hours away, the big news today is that the ultimate Elvis tribute artist contest, produced by CKX/EPE, is going ahead. More details shortly. (Source: Eyewitness News Memphis, 16 Nov 2006)

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Still betting on Elvis?: Financial analyst Hillary Kramer says: You can never go wrong with the King, and I'm still betting big on this one. Back in April, I picked CKX Inc. (NASDAQ: CKXE) as a double-your-money pick, opining that it might almost quadruple from around $14 to $50 by the end of 2007. If you followed my advice, you might be pretty disappointed so far. The stock continues to trade at around $14. If it's any consolation, I put quite a bit of my own money into CKX -- and I still hold the stock today.

I still believe this one is going to improve. Media and entertainment businesses are always risky, but I believe in CEO Bob Sillerman, who has already revolutionized the radio and the concert businesses. I think he has the right idea to build the company around a few phenomenally recognizable brands, (heard of American Idol? Heard of Elvis Presley?) and to leverage those brands through his other holdings. Anyone who follows the film industry knows the 80/20 model prevails there -- that is, 20% of movies make a lot of money and pay for the 80% that don't. The same thing is happening in the book industry. It's the nature of media today, and I think Sillerman understands this dynamic as well as anyone. He also understands that "content is king" -- it's what his company name stands for -- and that in a rapidly-shifting world of delivery options (Netflix? Movies on demand? iTunes on your cell phone?), if you control the content, you'll make money no matter how it's delivered. And in the meantime, Sillerman keeps hustling -- he's still working to come up with a new reality show, expand the "American Idol" franchise, and cross-promote his vast holdings.

For now, revenues for the first three quarters of 2006 are 50% higher than the whole of 2005, and his operating income keeps growing as well. I may have been wrong about how quickly this would grow, but I still think it's going to be a winner.

Type of stock: A media conglomerate based on a few large brands -- including the legendary Elvis Presley -- run by legendary media mogul Bob Sillerman.

Price target: I still think this one is going to make you big returns on your money. At $14 now, the stock can still hit $50 by the end of 2007. I am betting on Elvis and I am betting on the track record of one of the best entrepreneurs and operators in the country. (Source: Hillary Kramer, AOL, 16 Nov 2006)

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Priscilla defends sale of EPE: ELVIS PRESLEY's widow PRISCILLA has defended her decision to sell a massive stake in her late husband's Memphis, Tennessee estate, insisting the sale was hugely beneficial to Graceland's welfare. Presley sold 85 per cent of Elvis Presley Enterprises - which included rights to the rock legend's name and image - to entertainment investment agency CKX in February last year (05) but is keen to point out not much has changed since the takeover. She says, "Graceland is Graceland. We still have the same staff we've always had and it's still owned by my daughter, LISA MARIE.

"We partnered with CKX, who came in and acquired the licensing to the name and image of Elvis.
"What that means is they are able to take us to a place we could not have gone as a private company." (Source: PR Inside, 9 Nov 2006)

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EPE announces first-ever Chief Marketing Officer: Memphis-based Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. (EPE), a subsidiary of CKX, Inc. has named Paul Jankowski as its first-ever Chief Marketing Officer, overseeing all aspects of global brand development. He most recently served as President of Access Marketing Services, a company he founded that provides brand development services in the corporate, entertainment and sports businesses.

In his new position, Jankowski will work with all EPE departments to develop a consistent brand message and educate and excite the next generation on the Elvis legacy. He will be based in the EPE Memphis headquarters and report to CEO and President, Jack Soden.

“We are very excited about Paul joining our team,” stated Soden. “The Elvis business continues to grow and thrive, and now that EPE is part of the CKX family, the opportunities have multiplied. Paul’s extensive experience in many different areas makes him uniquely qualified for our company, and a good fit with our current stellar marketing, sales and communications team.”

"There are jobs and then there is Elvis,” commented Jankowski. “The opportunity to introduce the greatest entertainer of all time to the next generation was impossible to pass up. And as an alum of SFX, the commitment CKX has to the Elvis brand and the chance to work with Bob Sillerman again, make this a truly exciting adventure. “

Jankowski served as Vice President of Media Marketing for SFX Entertainment, a firm started by CKX, Inc. Chairman and CEO Robert Sillerman. SFX/Clear Channel Communications is the largest producer of live entertainment in the world, producing over 26,000 events per year. He created and sold marketing programs for many advertisers including: Volkswagen, Ford Motor Co., Warner-Lambert and MCI, and has created promotions for a variety of artists and pro athletes including: Beyonce, Evander Holyfield Destiny's Child, Nelly, Anthony Carter, Reba McEntire, Vince Gill, , Tim McGraw Travis Tritt, Amy Grant, Elton John, Tom Petty, B.B. King, Mary J. Blige, Bell Biv DeVoe, Jodeci, Shai and Meatloaf.

Following SFX, he served as Executive Vice President and directed all sales and marketing activity for HOST Communications' Affinity and Events Division. The properties included the NCAA (Final Four, etc.), Pro Rodeo Cowboy Association, NBA's Hoop It Up, National Thoroughbred Racing Association, American Bicycle Association, Historically Black Collegiate Coalition, and high school marketing arm, iHigh, among others.

Before SFX Entertainment, he was Vice President/Marketing for Trifecta Entertainment, a fully integrated Public Relations, Marketing and Artist Management agency. Clients included Tanya Tucker, Country Music Television (CMT), United Distillers (various brands), Opryland, Sony Music and Fruit of the Loom. Prior to that, Jankowski was the Director of Entertainment Relations/Worldwide for Gibson Guitar Corporation, where he directed all marketing efforts for Gibson's national and international divisions.

Jankowski began his music industry career with CBS Records in the company’s college department, followed by serving as a regional pop promotion manager for MCA Records - Los Angeles and SBK Records-New York, in the company's Nashville office.

Jankowski is a graduate of the 1995-96 Leadership Music program. Originally from Memphis, he graduated from the University of Tennessee/Knoxville with a degree in Advertising, while serving as publicity/marketing manager for Thompson-Boling Arena, the nation's largest on-campus arena. (Source: EPE/Charmaine Voisine, 3 Oct 2006)

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Insider trading in purchase of EPE: Regulators say they have solved an insider trading mystery: It was the butler in the poolside office with the fax machine. Graham Lefford was accused by the Securities and Exchange Commission on Tuesday of illegally trading on confidential information that he gleaned in 2004 from his boss's $100 million purchase of a controlling stake of the rights to Elvis Presley's image and likeness. Read full story (News/Sale of EPE, Source: International Herald Tribune/Sanja Meegin, 28 Sep 2006)

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Graceland character to remain despite overhaul: A massive overhaul to the Graceland complex that was announced last winter is still in the works, but "there's no specific timetable set," said Kevin Kern, spokesman for Elvis Presley Enterprises. Media mogul Robert F.X. Sillerman got control of the late singer's name and likeness in 2005 after paying out $100 million, according to a story in The New York Times. In March he announced plans to overhaul Graceland, which receives about 600,000 visitors annually, into a destination that would attract many more patrons.

In particular, plans to tear down the 128-room Heartbreak Hotel and replace it with an entertainment complex, two 400-room hotels and restaurants, is still on the drawing board, said Kern.

But don't expect the shag carpeting in the mansion's Jungle Room to be taken up and replaced with hardwood floors, the spokesman said.

"The house is a national landmark. You don't make changes like that. You don't change a national landmark,'' said Kern. "There's always the process of maintaining a place, but that doesn't mean you have to make changes. You clean it up. You trim the trees and change out plants, but you don't change the house. Graceland mansion will always be like it was." (Source: Dickson Herald, 3 July 2006)

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CKX enters into new credit deal: CKX Inc., which produces the American Idol TV show, said Thursday it entered into a $125 million revolving credit agreement with several lenders. The revolving credit facility is led by Bear Stearns & Co. and includes UBS Securities LLC, The Bank of New York, Lehman Commercial Paper Inc. and Credit Suisse. The new facility will replace the company's previous $50 million facility, which the company said it has not drawn on. The available loan pool could help the company finance acquisitions and joint ventures, said Robert F.X. Sillerman, chairman and chief executive, in a statement.

CKX, aside from owning the company that produces American Idol, also owns a 85 percent stake in Elvis Presley Enterprises Inc., which licenses the name, image and likeness of Elvis Presley, as well as operates Graceland. Shares of its stock fell 33 cents, or 2.6 percent, to $12.56 in afternoon trading on 25 May on the Nasdaq. (Source: AP, 25 May 2006)

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EPE softens stance on ETA's: Elvis impersonators can relax: No one's coming after their bespangled jumpsuits.At least not anytime soon." It's not even on the radar screen right now," said Robert F.X. Sillerman, the head of the entertainment company that owns the legal rights to Elvis Presley's name. CKX Inc. took control of Elvis Presley Enterprises last year, and Sillerman wondered aloud in a recent interview with The New York Times if the company should do something about "unauthorized Elvis impersonators."

That shook up the pompadoured crowd of impersonators in Memphis, Las Vegas, London and elsewhere around the world, and since then Sillerman has backed off a bit." The only comment I have made about the future of Elvis impersonators was simply an answer to a reporter's hypothetical question," Sillerman said in a statement from his New York headquarters." In truth, the issue is not something we at CKX are actively looking into." Impersonators still worry about an uncertain future.

"Nobody seems to have any answers," said Ed "Doc" Franklin, founder of "Images of the King," one of the oldest and best-known Elvis impersonator contests. Held in Memphis for five straight days on the anniversary of Presley's death at Graceland on Aug. 16, 1977, it attracts contestants of all ages, races, nationalities, even sex." It's such a worldwide thing, you can't just jump out there and say, `Hey, wait a minute. You can't do this anymore, boys.' It would be like a big revolt," said Franklin, a retired veterinarian who took care of Presley's horses and other pets.

Elvis Presley Enterprises, the former business arm of Presley's estate, has a long and successful history of shutting down interlopers trying to horn in on its business. But most of those battles focused on trinket or souvenir hawkers, and the impersonators, who like to call themselves "tribute artists," were largely left alone. The impersonators could be embarrassing at times, but Presley fans enjoyed having them around, and shutting them down for violating the estate's publicity rights would be tricky. It's one thing to tell a souvenir maker to quit putting Elvis' face on coffee mugs, but it's something quite different to shut down a singer because he favors white jumpsuits, rhinestones and sideburns." It's entertainment, which has traditionally been accorded a wide scope of protection," said Roberta Kwall, a DePaul University law professor and specialist on publicity rights.

If an impersonator includes a bit of his own style in his act, it becomes an interpretation - or even a parody - rather than a mere copy of Presley's work." It's a bit of a moving target," Kwall said. Matt Lewis, an impersonator who has toured the world and now performs 12 times a week at the Imperial Palace casino in Las Vegas, says CKX would be hurting itself if it went after Elvis acts." Elvis impersonators drive the popularity of Elvis," Lewis said." We get new fans all the time, which sells merchandise, sells CDs, which promotes Elvis' name. People don't go out and buy my T-shirt after the show - they get an Elvis T-shirt somewhere." Lewis works for one of the few licensed Elvis acts around, the "Legends in Concert" show owned by Las Vegas-based Onstage Entertainment Inc.

Onstage CEO Tim Parrott said his company signed an agreement with the Elvis estate in 1995 authorizing the use of an impersonator. A crackdown on unlicensed Elvises could help the company, he said." If they start closing other people down, we'll be the survivor," he said.Presley's daughter, Lisa Marie, and her Elvis Presley Enterprise sold the rights to her father's name to CKX last year along with Graceland's souvenir shops and museums for about $100 million in cash and stock. She retained title to the house itself, but CKX controls it, too, through a 90-year lease. Elvis Presley Enterprises became a subsidiary of CKX, which also owns the "American Idol" TV show, a Hollywood talent-management company and most of the marketing rights to boxer Muhammad Ali's name and likeness. Michael Hoover, a professional Elvis impersonator who took over the "Images of the King" contest two years ago, said he is a little concerned but expects the show to continue.

"If it comes down to somebody saying you can't wear that wig or you can't wear that shirt or you can't sing that song, that will upset a lot of people," he said. "You would see some really serious reaction from the impersonators." (Source: http://tinyurl.com/o7vv9/ Charmaine Voisine, 20 May 2006)

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CKX and Cirque du Soleil to Develop Elvis Presley Shows and ''Experiences'' Worldwide - The Elvis World Tour Kicks Off in 2008: CKX, Inc., through its subsidiary Elvis Presley Enterprises, has entered into an exclusive arrangement with Cirque du Soleil for the creation, development, production and promotion of Elvis Presley Projects, featuring touring and permanent shows, as well as multimedia interactive "Elvis Experiences," throughout the world.

Elvis Presley Projects, expected to debut beginning in 2008, will consist of:

• Touring shows that will be produced by Cirque du Soleil and incorporate the name, image, likeness and music of Elvis Presley.
• Permanent shows at fixed locations that will be produced by Cirque du Soleil and incorporate the name, image, likeness and music of Elvis Presley.
• Multimedia interactive entertainment "Elvis Experiences" that incorporate the music, memorabilia, audiovisual works, and the life and times of Elvis Presley.

Robert F.X. Sillerman, Chairman and CEO of CKX, Inc., commented, "This arrangement will allow fans around the globe, who have only seen Elvis Presley in movies or listened to his music, to truly experience what it was like to see Elvis perform. Cirque du Soleil remains one of the most stunning and exciting entertainment experiences on the planet and brings the creative genius needed to produce shows and multimedia events that will capture the true Elvis Presley."

Guy Laliberte, Founder and CEO of Cirque du Soleil, commented, "This new arrangement, with such incredible new partners as Robert F.X. Sillerman and his team, promises to be a most exciting and stimulating creative project for Cirque du Soleil. It also clearly demonstrates our intention to pursue the diversification of our artistic content through different live productions."

CKX and Cirque du Soleil will each own 50 percent of each Elvis Presley Project, sharing equally in the costs of creating, developing, building and producing each project and in the profits from each Project. CKX will also receive royalty payments on various aspects of its intellectual property used in the Elvis Presley Projects.

The parties have agreed to open at least one touring show in Europe and/or Asia and one "Elvis Experience" outside of the United States by 2008. Beginning in 2009, at least one Elvis Presley Project will be opened in each of the next six years. Beginning in 2014, at least one Elvis Presley Project will be opened every two years during the next eight years, through 2021. Shows in Las Vegas are not included in this arrangement at this time.

EIN Comment: This announcement is arguably the most important news since CKX bought an interest in EPE. If successful the venture will be a key driver in ensuring Elvis' legacy is publicly exposed and appreciated for the next 15 years. (18 May 2006, Source: EPE/CKX)

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EPE net profit revealed: According to Forbes magazine, Elvis earned $US45 million ($A59 million) in 2004. Mr Sillerman has since boosted his income by $US5.5 million with the release of a two-hour television and DVD documentary. What Forbes magazine doesn't reveal, but Mr Sillerman's annual reports do, is that the Presley business has expenses (in 2005) of $40 million, meaning Elvis only cleared $US10.5 million last year. (Source: The Age, 29 April 2006)

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Sillerman has no control over ETAs outside the US: According to a report on MSNBC, 'Robert Sillerman has no control over Elvis impersonators in foreign countries. His new rule only applies to the US ones'. (Source: Amber Smith, 27 April 2006)

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ETA crackdown sparks newspaper editorials: The potential move by Robert Sillerman to regulate or licence ETAs continues to occupy hard copy and online media news space. A number of newspaper editorials also have been devoted to the subject. The 'Daily News' in Australia included these clever words in its editorial on 20 April 2006:

"...They probably have been holed up in heartbreak hotels, staring up at a blue moon and thinking why won't people "treat me nice"...No doubt they would definitely prefer a little less conversation on this matter. They are being told to back off by the big boss man or they might end up doing a little bit of jailhouse rock. But rather than get too stressed about this US billionaire, the Daily News reckons all Elvises should simply wait for a warning letter and then mark it "return to sender". Than you, thank you very much." (Source: Daily News, 20 April 2006)

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Kiwi Elvis impersonators "all shook up": Kiwi Elvis impersonators could be in for more of a lawsuit than a jumpsuit if the gyrating one's impersonators are outlawed by an American businessmen. News that a media entrepreneur, Robert Sillerman, has bought the rights to Elvis's name and likeness has impersonators across America all shook up. Last year, Sillerman took an 85 per cent stake in Elvis Presley Enterprises, and has since claimed that some clones have made the burning hunk o' love more of a laughing stock than the king of rock.

The news has rippled through New Zealand's tiny Elvis impersonator community, leaving some with suspicious minds. Brian Childs, a full-time Elvis impersonator and former policeman, is glad he has decided to move into real estate sales next month. When The Press spoke to Childs yesterday, the Wellington-based Elvis impersonator was performing at a fundraiser for Golden Bay High School. On hearing an American billionaire could be giving all Elvises the boot, Childs said he was extremely disappointed.

"Lisa-Marie and Priscilla could've done this years ago but they chose not to. They were keeping the name and the music alive. This is just a big commercial arrangement and I don't have the money to fight a billionaire. "In America, people can make a huge living out of impersonating Elvis. In New Zealand, it's more of a passion and a hobby."

Childs' act focuses on the 1968 to 1973 Elvis era, from the sleek black suits to the jewelled jumpsuit phase. Christchurch impersonators come in the form of odd-job Elvises and singing telegrams.

Occasional Elvis impersonator and Christchurch entertainer Pat Kearns said he was not too worried about the possible ban. He felt he was getting a bit long in the tooth for the likeness to be similar. "But from a distance the illusion is quite good," he said.

Kearns said the real King, with trademark accessories of dark glasses and rhinestone jumpsuits, made it easier to be impersonated because no matter how dissimilar their facial features, they could always be disguised. Court Jesters, a Christchurch theatre group who occasionally provide Elvis-shaped singing telegrams, were shocked by the notion of an Elvis ban. Manager Kirsty Gillespie said the idea was a nonsense. (Source: stuff.co.nz, 21 April 2006)

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Law professor comments on possible move to register ETAs in Australia: Associate Professor of Law at Melbourne University, Andrew Kenyon, who specialises in copyright law, said it was unlikely unauthorised Elvis impersonators could be stopped in Australia. "The law's approach to protecting an image varies quite a lot between the UK, US and Australia,'' he said. "There is not a specific area of law that applies to it (in Australia). There might be certain registered intellectual property rights that could apply. There might be things like defamation. There might also be commercial actions related to passing off or deceptive conduct. "If you could have a mix of those then that might apply." (Source: Amber Smith, 19 April 2006)

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Festival organisers "all shook up" by ETA registration talk: The organisers of the Parkes Elvis Festival in the central west of NSW are seeking legal advice about changes to the rules surrounding Elvis Presley impersonators. An American billionaire who owns the rights to the Elvis name and likeness is working to stop "unauthorised" impersonators as part of a plan to open a show and exhibit in Las Vegas dedicated to 'the king'.

More than 5,000 people travel to Parkes each year to see hundreds of Elvis look-a-likes and celebrate his music. The festival's Monique Kronk says very few details about the shake-up are known but organisers want to ensure it will not threaten the event.

"We've got to discuss not just how it affects the festival itself but ... who are coming in and we don't know quite yet enough about what they are planning to change," she said. "But obviously we'll have to speak to Elvis Presley Enterprises and maybe we can negotiate some sort of licence that will cover for the whole festival - festival goers coming - we don't know enough yet about the situation." (Source: Amber Smith)

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ETA's ready to revolt against Sillerman (EIN Comment): Recent reports that Robert Sillerman may 'register' Elvis tribute artists (ETAs), has ETA's around the world ready to mobilise. In Australia, TV news reports today indicate ETAs are preparing a series of concerts in opposition to the perceived Sillerman move and annual Elvis festivals are seeking clarification on what is planned.

The offending statement was made in reference to his planned Las Vegas cabaret show based around Elvis. Sillerman said:

"If we were going to do a show that was based on Elvis impersonators, then obviously it wouldn't make sense to have unauthorised Elvis impersonators."

On the surface Sillerman's statement refers only to an EPE sponsored show, but the use of the word "unauthorised" raises the spectre of ETA's having to be approved by EPE if they want to go on performing. The $64,000 question (with a really easy answer) is whether any move to register ETAs is about ensuring quality performances or simply revenue raising? Obviously, Sillerman is looking for quick ways to recoup his substantial investment in the Elvis brand.

To ensure a better overall ETA performance will never work. The reality is the majority of ETAs work either on an irregular, casual basis or even an itinerant basis, and many come and go regularly from the marketplace. Only a small percentage manage to make a full-time living as an ETA.

The financial cost of administering a scheme to improve the ETA product simply won't work, even just in the US, and as many will be quick to state, this is not what the possible Sillerman move is arguably about. Not to mention, how do you decide what is in good taste, or professional, and what isn't?

With an estimated 30,000 ETAs worldwide, Sillerman will face a logistical and legal nightmare should registration be a real issue on his mind. The Elvis trademark is yet to be fully tested outside US borders (the EPE vs Elvisly Yours/Sid Shaw case in England was a mixed result). Perhaps, after nearly 30 years of unrestrained and variable performances by ETAs, they will be the focus for testing if the Elvis trademark is recognised globally as a legal right. (Source: EIN/ABC News/ Various Others, 18 April 2006)

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Sillerman buys marketing rights to Muhammad Ali: Robert Sillerman, whose CKX company owns marketing rights to the Elvis brand, Graceland operation and American Idol, has now acquired the rights to the likeness, name and image for Muhammad Ali. Muhammad Ali, the three-time heavyweight boxing champion who became the most famous athlete of his generation, won his biggest purse 25 years after retiring from the ring.

The boxer, who retired in 1981, sold the rights to his likeness, name and image for $50 million to CKX Inc., which also controls Elvis Presley's music and mansion and produces the "American Idol'' television show.

The deal gives the company rights to the "most powerful brand in sport,'' said Paul Swangard, managing director of the Warsaw Sports Marking Center at the University of Oregon in Eugene.

"It may not be that it's been as commercially exploited as some of the modern names you might think of,'' he said. "Ali comes from a different era. He's a cultural phenomenon as much as a sports phenomenon.''

CKX Chief Executive Officer Robert Sillerman said the company will be selective about its deals and will likely search for opportunities outside the U.S.

"This is different than a licensing deal with Elvis Presley,'' Sillerman said in a telephone interview. ``It's appropriate and it's consistent with Elvis that there are over 100-plus licensees. That will not be the case with Muhammad Ali. That's not where the power of this is.'' (News, Source: Bloomberg, 12 April 2006)

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EPE statement on future of Graceland et al: The EPE site has published a statement regarding plans for the future of Graceland, the surrounding area, Heartbreak Hotel, and possible tours of the upstairs part of the mansion. Not surprisingly, at this stage, there is no mention of the future of Elvis tribute artists. (Source: EPE, 16 March 2006)

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Are Elvis tribute artists an endangered species?: The new owner of the Graceland Chapel in Las Vegas is concerned about a possible ban on Elvis impersonators. Brendan Paul not only owns the Chapel, but he is a veteran Elvis impersonator. It seems that Robert F.X. Sillerman owns the rights to control Elvis' name and likeness. He is planning a major Elvis presence in Las Vegas and told the New York Times he has not decided the fate of the Elvis Impersonators.

The founder and creator of "Legends in Concert" believes it would be impossible to put a stop to the impersonators. John Stuart said, "You've got 20,000 Elvis impersonators out there. He could never stop all of them. Besides there is First Amendment protection." Years ago, Stuart paid Elvis Presley Enterprises $100,000 for the right to use "Elvis" in his lineup.

EPE's Heartbreak Hotel to be demolished!: The New York Times reports that the 'Heartbreak Hote', across from Graceland, l will be demolished and Elvis' presence will return to Las Vegas. The news report includes:

"The 128-room Heartbreak Hotel, which stands across Elvis Presley Boulevard from Graceland, will be demolished, along with the visitors center. In their place, Mr. Sillerman plans two 400-room hotels, convention space, an entertainment complex, restaurants, shops, an outdoor amphitheater and a spa.

Moreover, if Mr. Sillerman has his way, Elvis will become a big presence again in Las Vegas, in an interactive museum exhibit and Elvis theme show that Mr. Sillerman hopes will attract millions of visitors a year. Tapping Elvis's international popularity is next: Mr. Sillerman envisions a 15,000-square-foot exhibit that will travel around the world". (Source: New York Times/EPE, 7 Mar 2006)

Sillerman to capitalize on global fascination with Elvis: Capitalizing on the ever-growing national and international fascination with Elvis Presley, CKX, Inc. which controls Elvis Presley Enterprises and substantially all assets comprising the Presley estate -- has held meetings with prominent Memphis, Tennessee officials to explore ways to expand upon and further promote the legacy of the King of Rock and Roll.

With Graceland already the most visited private residence in America, the discussions have focused on CKX's desire to grow the Graceland experience as the centerpiece of the Whitehaven section of Memphis. While plans and designs have not been finalized, CKX outlined significant aspects of the proposal to officials.

Robert F.X. Sillerman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of CKX, commented, "As we are upon the 50th anniversary of Elvis Presley's explosion into our culture, it is only fitting that Graceland assumes an even more prominent role in American culture and tourism." Working in conjunction with Bob Weis Design Island Associates, a world-renowned design firm, the goal is to enhance the visitor's experience in the area surrounding Graceland while preserving the integrity of the original mansion. "For years, Elvis Presley Enterprises and the Presley family have envisioned a project like this," said Jack Soden, Chief Executive Officer of Elvis Presley Enterprises. "We are thrilled to be able to move this concept forward."

Sillerman added, "To date, Elvis's fans have only seen a small fraction of the hundreds of thousands of Elvis artifacts currently warehoused. We're thrilled that beginning next month, with the Elvis '56 and Elvis After Dark exhibits and continuing through the proposed expansion, fans will have the opportunity to view more and more of this never-before-seen array of items."

The Elvis '56 exhibit is part of Graceland's year-long celebration of the 50th anniversary of the year Elvis Presley's career exploded and the music and popular culture of the world changed forever. The exhibit highlights his historic television appearances, his memorable concerts, his first mega-hit recordings, his first movie, the introduction of the big business of Elvis merchandising, and the first home his success allowed him to purchase for his family.

The Elvis After Dark exhibit is themed around that fact that, for much of his life, Elvis Presley was a "night person." After the sun went down, he'd go on after-hours shopping sprees at department stores; rent out the Memphis Fairgrounds as his own personal amusement park; turn the Memphian movie theater into a private screening room for himself and his friends; host parties at home and at local clubs; or schedule late-night appointments with his jeweler. In short, he made Memphis his nighttime playground.

About CKX: CKX, Inc., a company controlled by Robert F.X. Sillerman and affiliates, is engaged in the ownership, development and commercial utilization of entertainment content. To date, CKX has focused on acquiring globally recognized entertainment content and related assets, including the rights to the name, image and likeness of Elvis Presley and the operations of Graceland. CKX has also acquired proprietary rights to the IDOLS television brand, including the American Idol series in the United States and local adaptations of the IDOLS television show format which, collectively, air in over 100 countries around the world. CKX plans to continue to make strategic acquisitions of, or partner or align with, companies or individuals that control various forms of established entertainment content, which may include intellectual property rights in music, film, television programming, written works and characters, rights to names, images and likenesses, video games, corporate brands and other related assets For more information about CKX, Inc., visit its corporate website at http://www.ckx.com. (Source: EPE/PR Newswire, 24 Feb 2006)

Billionaire mogul has 'big plans' for Graceland: Robert F.X. Sillerman, the billionaire media mogul who owns a controlling stake in Elvis Presley Enterprises, wants to transform Graceland into an international attraction on par with Disneyworld and double the 600,000 visitors who annually visit the King’s former home. Sillerman wants to partner with local government and business leaders to help make that happen. "I want to let them know about some exciting things we hope to bring to Memphis," said Sillerman, who also owns the smash-hit television show "American Idol. We want to improve the fan experience and attract even more people to Graceland and we are going to present some ideas that include a refurbishment of the area, not just relating to Graceland but some scenic improvements to the area that involve local officials." (Source: Business Wire, 23 Feb 2006)

Elvis to appear on American Idol: Idol co-producers CKX and FremantleMedia, Fox Broadcasting, and acid-tongued judge Simon Cowell have agreed to keep the series going for at least four seasons starting with this season. Fox has agreed to pay a license fee of $18 million for this year, growing to $35.5 million in 2009.

CKX, which also licenses Elvis Presley, plans some corporate synergy. "Elvis will be making an appearance on this year's series," CEO Robert Sillerman says. (18 Jan 2006)

"Elvis After Dark" to replace Graceland Crossing shops: According to a posting on the Elvis International Fan Club Forum, news from the annual EPE fan club president's luncheon states that the now empty shops located at 'Graceland Crossing' will be transformed into a new museum called "Elvis After Dark". This name has apparently been chosen due to the museum remaining open to the public later than the Graceland mansion and the other EPE stores.

March 1st will see a new exhibit opened in "Sincerely Elvis" Musuem which will only focus on Elvis '56. It was also mentioned that Humes Junior School is going to be safe and possibly re-named to Elvis Presley Jr School. The "Elvis Lives"  advertising campaign has come to the end of it's advertising Space and the new catchy logo from the brains at EPE is reported to be........."Elvis Is". (Source: Elvis International Fan Club /Elvis Express, 8 Jan 2006)

Simon Fuller not "rebranding" Elvis!: According ta message from EPE to Elvis News, Simon Fuller (creator of American Idol) will not be rebranding Elvis (see our report immediately below). EPE says: "The story about Simon Fuller/19 Entertainment and their having been put in charge of a re-branding of Elvis is false. The story seems to be the result of pure gossip or the source's having misinterpreted some bits of information he or she might have heard through the grapevine. Our parent company CKX and all its subsidiary companies enjoy a mutually supportive relationship and our companies all look forward to each opportunity that might arise for collaborating on one another's projects. The management and development of Elvis-related projects and branding is the responsibility of Elvis Presley Enterprises (EPE). That has not changed."

This is the second news story which EPE has denounced this month. The other story was a report in the Australian magazine, Woman's Day, that Lisa Presley was planning her own film about Elvis (see Home page, 7 & 8 Dec 2005). (News, Source: Elvis News)

American Idol creator to rebrand Elvis!: AMERICAN IDOL creator SIMON FULLER is taking charge of ELVIS PRESLEY's musical legacy in a bid to continue the late star's enduring popularity. The pop svengali, who masterminded the SPICE GIRLS' world domination, has been offered the chance to rebrand and remarket The King's extensive back catalogue by US entertainment giant CKX. Elvis' estate still generates $45 million (GBP25 million) a year. An insider tells UK industry paper Music Week, "There is so much archive footage with Elvis meeting other stars lots of which has not been seen. There are so many ways it can be exploited, and that is what Fuller has been busy doing. (News, Source: Contact Music, 14 Dec 2005)

EPE revenues in spotlight: The owner of EPE, CKX, Inc. filed its half-year return with the US Securities and Exchange Commission in August. Some of the interesting filings were:

• licensing and royalty revenues were $14.4m, an increase of 136% over the corresponding period in 2004
• tour and exhibit revenues were $5.5m, representing an 8% increase
• visitor numbers to Graceland increased by 6,000, from 262,000 to 268,000 for the six-months period

Contained in the return was also that in 2004, EPE revenues had declined by 6%.

On the expenses side of the ledger, operating expenses for the last 3 months of 2004-5, period increased by $23.8m. During that 3 months period, revenue increased by only $22.4m. (News, Source: Bill E. Burk, 27 Nov 2005)

Don't throw money at false idols: Couple an American icon and an American Idol and what do you get? You get an interesting company that has as much potential for danger as success, just enough trouble to make CKX Inc. the Stupid Investment of the Week.

CKX has risen from a shell corporation in the last year to buy two of the most famous properties in entertainment, purchasing control of 85 percent of Elvis Presley Enterprises, plus 19 Entertainment, the firm responsible for the popular ``American Idol'' and ``So You Think You Can Dance'' television shows.

It's a story stock, the kind of young issue that attracts people hoping to get in on the ground floor of something big, and which uses a tinge of celebrity to possibly color the judgment of those potential investors. CKX is the latest business of billionaire entertainment mogul Robert F. X. Sillerman.

The company went public by purchasing a defunct Nevada shell company, Sports Entertainment Enterprises, in a reverse merger last December. Sillerman was one of the founders of SFX Entertainment, a sports-promotion and live-concert business that was sold five years ago to Clear Channel Communications for more than $4 billion.

He bought Sports Enterprises and renamed it CKX – for Content is King with the "X'' as his signature mark – and simultaneously bought the Presley business for about $100 million in cash and stock. Elvis has been the top-earning dead celebrity for years, according to Forbes magazine, and the plan is to build a Las Vegas museum/theater property, plus to use much of the available Elvis memorabilia to develop income streams from overseas, where the King lives large in the minds of music fans.

Yet the deal can't work unless Elvis generates a lot more money than he has been, just to cover the new layer of pricey corporate management that now gets a cut of the proceeds. And while the King remains hugely popular, Presley Enterprises saw its revenues decline by 6 percent in 2004; Elvis won't be making new albums or movies to regenerate his popularity, so CKX must turn that trend on its own, which could get increasingly tough as the King's core fans head toward retirement.  (News/Sale of EPE, Source: Chuck Jaffe/Sanja Meegin, 4 Oct 2005)

CKX, Inc. to acquire and shut down 'Elvis' Themed Museum in Las Vegas - Company Will cease operations, clearing path for major themed attractions in Las Vegas and independent attraction in Hawaii: CKX, Inc. (Nasdaq: CKXE) announced today that its subsidiary, Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc., has agreed to acquire the assets of the Elvis-A-Rama museum, located off the strip in Las Vegas, including the trademark to the name "Elvis-A-Rama," the related website and a substantial portion of the memorabilia currently on display at the Las Vegas-based establishment. The existing museum will be permanently closed and the Elvis-A-Rama name retired as part of CKX's overall plan to bring a world class Elvis-themed attraction to the Las Vegas strip.

Robert F.X. Sillerman, Chairman and CEO of CKX commented, "As we have mentioned on numerous occasions, establishing a major presence for the 'Elvis' brand in Las Vegas is an important priority of the company. The closure of the museum together with the purchase of the artifacts and memorabilia currently located there, clears the way for implementation of our plan."

CKX is acquiring these assets from Chris Davidson and certain other minority partners. Mr. Davidson has been collecting Elvis memorabilia for over ten years and is among the world's most well known private collectors of such items.

As part of the purchase, the Company will grant to Mr. Davidson the right to open a licensed Elvis-themed museum in Hawaii, a location often associated with Mr. Presley. In addition to receipt of the licensing fee, the Company will retain the right to acquire a significant equity interest in the Hawaiian operations. Hawaii served as the location for three of Mr. Presley's films and perhaps most famously, was home to the 1973 concert "Elvis, Aloha from Hawaii," which was broadcast worldwide and ultimately viewed by more than 1.5 billion people around the world. (News, Source: EPE, 27 Sep 2005)

CKX, Inc., Together With Elvis Presley Enterprises and American Idol, to Aid Hurricane Victims: Graceland and American Idol are pitching in to help victims of Hurricane Katrina, Robert F.X. Sillerman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of CKX, Inc. announced today. CKX will donate 100% of the net proceeds from Graceland, the Memphis home of the legendary Elvis Presley, collected on Saturday, Sept. 10, to aid the hurricane victims, Sillerman said.

The American Idols tour will also add a show Sunday, Sept. 11th in Syracuse, N.Y. at the War Memorial in the OnCenter, with all net proceeds of that concert going to the victims as well. In addition, Sillerman announced that CKX will match contributions made by its employees to the American Red Cross for hurricane relief. Sillerman made the first CKX donation, $100,000, and a total of more than $300,000 has already been collected. All donations will be made to the American Red Cross.

"Our hearts and prayers go out to the victims of this tragic and horrific hurricane," Sillerman said. I am sure Elvis Presley's fans as well as our Idol audience will be pleased to see that their support of our entertainment properties will be helping their neighbors who have suffered such tremendous losses. We at CKX are proud of our employees' swift and generous response to this crisis." CKX owns controlling interests in Elvis Presley Enterprises, which operates Graceland; 19 Entertainment, one of the producers of the American Idol television program and the IDOLS television brand, airing in more than 30 countries around the world; and Morra, Brezner, Steinberg & Tenenbaum Entertainment, Inc. a leading manager of comedic talent and producer of motion pictures and television programming. (Source: Newswire, 7 Sep 2005)

Elvis to return to Vegas!: A half-century after his Las Vegas debut, Elvis is returning to the Strip in a big way. New York businessman Robert F.X. Sillerman, who purchased the business side of the Elvis Presley estate, has an Elvis project planned on Las Vegas Boulevard that will stretch from the Harley-Davidson Cafe to Smith & Wollensky's.
 
During a Friday interview at his oceanside compound in the Hamptons, Sillerman told me that he and his partners have a major entertainment element planned for the project, which, he reminded me, will go up across the Strip from the MGM Mirage's $6 billion City Center project.
 
He compared the location to owning property at Times Square in New York City. Remember the name. Sillerman, who sold his SFX Entertainment company to Clear Channel for $4.5 billion and is one of the producers of the Broadway hit "The Producers," has been a major player in the
entertainment industry and has big plans for Elvis. "When we bought Elvis Presley Enterprises, we said the world is under-Elvised," Sillerman said. (Source: Elvis Unlimited, 5 Sep 2005)

Graceland has not been sold!!!: Despite several media reports (see next item) and a number of fans believing Graceland has been sold...it has not. Here is part of EPE's official statement released in the past 24 hours: 'Although the article clearly reiterates that Lisa retained sole ownership of Graceland Mansion and her father's personal effects, the inclusion of the sentence "Lisa Marie Presley has sold the business side of her father's estate and turned over his famous, white-columned house to CKX Inc.," in the story has caused some confusion. The mention of Graceland Mansion refers to operations of the Graceland tour business and not ownership of the mansion property itself. Some fans and press misunderstood this to mean Lisa has now sold Graceland Mansion. She has not'. (Source: EPE, 8 Aug 2005)

New Graceland operator worries fans: The pilgrims will still weep at Elvis Presley's grave, and the souvenir shops will still swarm with credit-card waving fans, an occasional black pompadour hardly drawing a glance. But change is in the air: Strangers are in Graceland...and some fans are worried. (News/Sale of EPE, Source: New Albany Tribune, 5 Aug 2005)

CKX, Inc. added to Russell 1000(R) Index: CKX has announced a major achievement with this news. The Russell 1000® Index measures the performance of the 1,000 largest companies in the Russell 3000® Index and is constructed to provide a comprehensive and unbiased barometer for the large-cap segment of the U.S. equity market. The index represents approximately 92% of the U.S. market. (News/Sale of EPE, Source: EPE, 14 July 2005 )

EPE talks about Graceland Crossing closures: Further to our news stories (5 June, 7 June and 26 June) about the closure of two "independent" stores at Graceland Crossing, Elvis Express has published the following comments from EPE, " Todd Morgan, spokesman for Elvis Presley Enterprises said EPE empire made the business decision due to "it doesn't make a lot of sense to lease space to a competing business." Morgan also said that EPE is constantly considering ideas to expand its visitor center complex, including Graceland Crossing,which is just up the street from Graceland and situated in front of EPE's Heartbreak Hotel.

EPE purchased the Graceland Crossing area in 1997 and has long considered building a major Elvismuseum to tell the Elvis Presley story down to the smallest detail. But a museum like thatwould be better placed be in the larger Graceland Plaza complex which is located directly across the street from the Graceland mansion.  

But the first option would mean moving some attractions in Graceland Plaza to Graceland Crossing, less than a quarter-mile north. However, Morgan said that the museum plans remain indefinite, and there are no specific plans for use of the Graceland Crossing space. "We have nothing on the drawing board," he said. (News, Source: Elvis Express, 5 June 2005 )

EPE signs eFashion to handle its online business: Elvis Presley Enterprises (EPE) announced today it has signed the nation’s leading ecommerce provider, eFashion Solutions, LLC, (www.efashionsolutions.com) to manage the global web-retailing for officially licensed and trademarked Elvis products. The arrangement will also result in cheaper shipping to non-US destinations. (News, Source: EPE)

CKX, Inc. Announces Closing of Public Offering and Exercise of Over-Allotment Option: CKXE today announced that, in addition to closing its public offering of 20,000,000 shares of common stock, it also closed the sale of an additional 3,000,000 shares following the exercise of the over-allotment option granted to the underwriters in connection with the offering. (See previous press release). All of the shares were newly issued by the company and were sold at the previously announced public offering price of $11.00 per share. As a result of the exercise of the over-allotment option, the company received additional net proceeds, after underwriting discounts and commissions, of approximately $31 million, which resulted in total net proceeds from the offering of approximately $235 million. Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc. was the sole book-running manager and Lehman Brothers Inc. acted as joint lead manager in connection with the offering. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state. The offering of these securities was made only by means of a prospectus. A copy of the final prospectus may be obtained by contacting Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc., c/o Prospectus Department, 383 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10179 or Lehman Brothers Inc. c/o ADP Financial Services Integrated Distribution Services, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, New York 11717 tel. (631- 274-8321). (Source: EPE, 28 June 2005)

New line of Elvis clothing: The second clothing line of Elvis Presley Enterprises will be unveiled in August with an upscale line and a U.S. department store line. The first Elvis clothing line flopped when it premiered in February, but after making changes suggested by retailers such as different pant-leg styles, the clothing line will re-emerge, Forbes.com reported. The founder of Sasson Jeans, Paul Guez, the designer behind the old and new Elvis line, has invested millions in Elvis Presley Clothing. However, while the Elvis name continues to make money more than 25 years after the singer died, there is still a question which Elvis the clothing line will follow. While fashion follows the playboy Elvis in the movie Viva Las Vegas, much of the Elvis fan base is the age and size of the jumpsuited Elvis who performed in Las Vegas. Carol Butler, director of worldwide licensing for EPE, admitted the new fashion line with its subdued fashions and fitted clothing doesn't sit well with the traditional fan base. The older audience doesn't like that, she said. They want something boxy. (News, Source: Forbes.com/UPI)

Is another "independent" shop at Graceland Crossing to close?: According to Sid Shaw from Elvisly Yours in England, another independent store, "Loose Ends", may have lost its lease at Graceland Crossing with EPE officials (or the "Blue Meanies" as Sid likes to call them) not renewing it. Recently "Memories of Elvis" announced that EPE had elected not to renew its lease at Graceland Crossings - see our Sale of EPE archives for more information. (News/Sale of EPE, Source: Sid Shaw)

CKX public share release: CKX, Inc. (NASDAQ: CKXE) has announced the pricing of its public offering of 20,000,000 shares of common stock, all of which are newly issued by the company, at $11.00 per share. CKX will use approximately $150 million of the net proceeds to repay substantially all of its outstanding indebtedness. (News, Source: EPE, 23 June 2005 )

What is EPE up to?: The closure later this year of "Memories of Elvis" has many fans incensed. So why is the longstanding outlet being forced to close? EPE received two interesting messages about the issue which shed light both on what plans EPE may have for the site and the unfortunate political rhetoric engaged in by the company. (News, Source: Bill E. Burk/Sanja Meegin, 6 June 2005)

EPE forcing "Memories of Elvis" to close: The last remaining "independent" store around Graceland, Memories of Elvis", is to close its doors on 30 November 2005. Here is part of the statement from Memories of Elvis. (News, Source: Elvis Express)

CKX Appoints Michael Ferrel President: CKX Inc., producer of the "American Idol" television show and manager of the Elvis Presley estate, said Monday that it appointed Michael G. Ferrel as president. Chairman and Chief Executive Robert F.X. Sillerman had also been serving as president since he bought the company in February. He will continue in these roles, the company said. (News, Source: The Asociated Press, 23 May 2005)

Digital Elvis commercial unlikely: If rock 'n' roll legend Elvis Presley shows up in any future digital projects it will not likely be in a commercial, The Los Angeles Times reports. Robert F.X. Sillerman, who recently gained control of Presley's name, image and likeness, said he doubted Presley would appear in a car commercial, the way the late Steve McQueen recently did. Sillerman also said he didn't think it would be a good idea to do with Presley what was done with the late Conway Twitty recently, when bits of Twitty's old records were manipulated through a computer program to make it sound like he was singing a new song. I'm not sure you're going to see Elvis in a commercial, Sillerman said. With Elvis, less is more. George Klein, a pallbearer at Presley's funeral who currently operates an Elvis station on Sirius satellite radio, said he would welcome a new Elvis record. I think it's strictly business and this is 2005, Klein said. He's been dead 27 years, and you have to move on. Market what you got. A duet with Britney Spears or something like that would be great. (News/Sale of EPE, Source: Los Angeles Times/Chad Heywood, April 2005)

CKX Announces Conversion of Preferred Stock: The latest press release from EPE's parent company, CKX, Inc.: March 23, 2005--Sports Entertainment Enterprises, Inc. d/b/a CKX, Inc. (NASDAQ: CKXE - News) announced today that it has received notice from The Huff Alternative Fund, L.P. and certain of its affiliates ("Huff") that they have exercised their right to convert their 2,172,400 shares of Series A Convertible Redeemable Preferred Stock of the Company into common stock of the Company, resulting in the issuance of 6,051,253 shares of common stock. Huff acquired the preferred stock which carried a face amount of $43,448,000 in February 2004. A full description of the Preferred Stock is contained in the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K which was filed with the SEC on February 8, 2005. Robert F. X. Sillerman, Chairman of CKX, Inc. commented, "We are pleased that Huff has chosen to convert their preferred shares, which had an eight year term, to common so early in the evolution of our company. This will strengthen our balance sheet, provide us with flexibility in the future and simplify our capital structure by eliminating the complex anti-dilution protections and special voting rights contained in the original instrument." CKX is engaged in the ownership, development and commercial utilization of entertainment content. (News/Sale of EPE, Source: EPE, 25 March 2005)

CKX, Inc. Acquires 19 Entertainment, Creator of American Idol: Robert Sillerman, the new owner of EPE, has used his "Elvis" company (CKX) to buy the production company responsible for American Idol. (News/Sale of EPE, Source: EPE, 18 March 2005)

EPE stocks go on sale: Robert Sillerman is pictured (centre) at the Nasdaq National Market System when 34% of the stocks in his company CKX Sports Entertainment Enterprises were put up for sale. CKX Sports Entertainment Enterprises owns EPE and the right to run Graceland as a museum. Robert Sillerman owns 51% of the stocks and Lisa Marie Presley owns 15%. If you are interested in buying stocks then visit Nasdaq National Market System and search for CKXE. (Source: EPE, 3 March 2005)

CKX stock begins trading March 1, 2005: Click to read a press release from Robert Sillerman's group regarding the start of stock trading for CKX, EPE's new parent company. (Sale of EPE, Source: EPE)

SPEA/CKX/EPE Sillerman stock price rising: Now that the majority sale of EPE has been finalised it's interesting to see that the stock price for Robert Sillerman's company is rising and many Elvis fans who got in when the sale/merger was announced are smiling. (News, Source: USA Stock Prices, 16 Feb 2005)

Lisa Presley says "I haven't sold Graceland": Lisa Marie Presley was interviewed by the television entertainment show, ET, at the Grammy Awards. Lisa made it quite clear she has not sold Graceland, only 85% of EPE, the business arm of the Elvis industry, and that she sold it in order to take the Elvis industry to another level. (News, Source: Entertainment Tonight, 13 Feb 2004)

Lisa Marie on Estate Sale - Presley says she didn’t “go nuts”: Lisa Marie Presley talked to Rolling Stone magazine about the sale of EPE to Robert Sillerman. In the interview Lisa reveals that she had been searching for years for the right buyer and importantly, under arrangements for the sale, she retains the power of veto. (News/Interview, Source: rollingstone.com, 12 Jan 2005)

Tupelo officials concerned about future of Elvis fest after sale: Organizers of Tupelo, Mississippi's Elvis Presley festival says they're not certain about its future with a new company in charge of licensing agreements. The King of Rock 'n' Roll was born in Tupelo and the festival brings in thousands of visitors to the city each year. But Tupelo's deal to put Presley's likeness on posters, billboards, brochures, even coffee mugs, ends in September 2006. Lisa Marie Presley has sold 85 percent of Elvis Presley Enterprises to Robert F.X. Sillerman, the founder of SFX Entertainment. The $100 million deal includes all trademark rights to Presley's name, likeness and image and puts new people in charge of deciding who can and who can't use them. (News, Source: Wate.com, 11 Jan 2005)

Say hello to Elvis? Ringtones tap into a million-dollar market: Angela Landon's boyfriend calls her on her cell phone, and she's treated to the celestial strains of Handel's "Hallelujah Chorus." When it's her family in Texas calling, her phone plays the theme from television's "Dallas." NYC friends set off a round of "New York, New York." Pesky unidentified callers? She's warned with a snippet of Elvis' "Suspicious Minds." Eminem offers a free ringtone of his single "Just Lose It" for consumers who purchase the double-disc collector's edition of his new album, "Encore." EIN suggests that consumer interest in ringtones is an area that should be taken very seriously by Elvis' record company, BMG/Sony (and EPE). (News/Comment, Source: Detroit News/EIN, 29 Dec 2004)

In-debt Lisa Marie sells most of Elvis' estate: Lisa Marie Presley is keeping Graceland but selling the bulk of the Elvis estate, including rights to her father's name and image, in a deal worth approximately $100 million. The Associated Press reports that Elvis Presley Enterprises Inc. announced an agreement Thursday to sell 85 percent of its assets to businessman Robert F.X. Sillerman, founder of music and sports promoter SFX Entertainment. But why sell an estate that brings in $45 million a year for $100 million? Lisa Marie has $25 million in debts (of which she will be absolved under this deal) but on the face of it, the sale doesn't seem like a bright move. At least she gets $20 million in shares of the new company formed to run the estate. "For the past few years, I've been looking for someone to join forces with to expand the many facets of (Elvis Presley Enterprises), to take it to new levels internationally and to make it an even greater force in the entertainment industry," Presley said in a statement. Fans of Graceland tours note: The 650,000 visitors a year will still be welcome. (News/Comment, Source: Seattlepi.com, 23 Dec 2004)

55% of voters "disagree" with Lisa Presley's decision to sell EPE: According to a message on the For Elvis CD Collectors Only messageboard, CNN.com ran an online poll which resulted in 55% of voters saying Lisa's decision to sell EPE was the wrong one. (News, Source: For Elvis CD Collectors Only, 22 Dec 2004)

Fans start petition condemning sale of EPE: A group of fans have commenced an online petition telling Lisa Presley they resent her decision to sell majority control of EPE to Robert F.X. Sillerman. (News, Source: Email, 19 Dec 2004)

Is Graceland closing?: In the wake of Lisa Presley's decision to sell majority ownership in EPE to Robert Sillerman, Elvis messageboards and email groups have lit up with an array of conspiracy type stories. One is that Graceland will soon close. This is the official statement from EPE: "No. Absolutely not. Graceland opened to the public in 1982. Every year or every few months or so since then, some tabloid writer or other mischief maker somewhere in the world has invented a story saying that Graceland will be closing. Sometimes these stories find their way into more mainstream news media in some countries. The stories tend to say that the reason for the closing is that Elvis Presley's daughter Lisa is moving into Graceland or that she is selling it. Closing or selling Graceland has never been a consideration. Any stories to the contrary are pure fiction. Graceland will be open for generations to come." (News, Source: EPE, 19 Dec 2004)

Investors may soon grab share of Elvis: Elvis Presley has left the building - and headed to Wall Street with some help from radio and concert entrepreneur Robert F.X. Sillerman. Sillerman unveiled a two-part business deal yesterday that will give investors an opportunity to gamble on his ability to find new markets for all things Elvis. It's predicated on the belief that the world is "under-Elvised," as he puts it. "Even in the U.S., the only way to get in contact with the Elvis experience is at Graceland," The King's estate in Memphis which attracted 650,000 visitors last year, he says. He agreed to pay $100 million for an 85 percent interest in most of Elvis' assets. Elvis' daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, will control the rest. Sillerman plans to fold his Presley holdings into Sports Entertainment Enterprises, a publicly traded company. (News, Source: USA Today, 19 Dec 2004)

Bill Burk comments on sale of EPE: Elvis World's "007" has spoken to insiders and gives his view on some of the implications of the sale: "Robert Sillerman says there will be no changes in EPE personnel; but this is a standard statement in mergers and aquisitions. Don't be surprised if soon after the deal becomes final -- expected about February 2005 -- that Sillerman will begin putting his own people in place. This would only be natural to expect. One of his first missions will be to bring Elvis closer to fans around the world. He has specifically mentioned projects (exhibits?) in Germany, Japan and Las Vegas. In the past, EPE has pursued an Elvis casino in Las Vegas; a string of nightclub/restaurants like EP's-Memphis (which was closed earlier this year after years of red ink). In both these ventures, as well as a convention hotel on Graceland property, EPE obviously couldn't attract investors. These now come into the "highly possible" range under Sillerman's guidance." (News, Source: Bill E. Burk's Elvis World Online, 19 Dec 2004)

A Personal Note from Lisa Marie Presley: Hello and Happy Holidays! I would like to further clarify and ease any weary minds (if there are any about the recent business announcement). First off, companies merge all the time and while it is true that EPE has been successfully holding its own for 25 years, myself, my mother and the board came to realize that in order to take the business to a whole different level, merging with another provenly successful team would accomplish that. The search for the right person has been going on for years, none of us at EPE would have done this if it weren't in the best interest of my father and his legacy. No stone was left unturned in making sure that business will be run as it historically has been, with integrity, always preserving and protecting my father. The executives, my mother and myself remain very active in the operations of Graceland and its entities. What is and has been done will remain, and merging with Bob Sillerman and his team simply gives us new opportunities that we didn't have before. Business-wise any company can always grow, what is predominately sacred and can never be touched is Graceland itself and its contents and artifacts and that is and remains mine and my family's forever. Frankly, we are all united and excited about this and I send my best wishes to you and yours for the holidays. Much love, LMP (News, Source: lisapresley.com/EPE, 18 Dec 2004)

Elvis and China: an untapped goldmine?: With so many companies in the West establishing offices, or forming strategic alliances in mainland China, it struck EIN that the country is potentially a goldmine of opportunity for "things" Elvis. While the International Elvis Fan Club in Hong Kong is very active, little is known about Elvis related things in "mainland China" which has a population exceeding 1 billion! Perhaps EPE and BMG should have strategic plans addressing this particular opportunity. Let us know what you think. (News/Comment, Source: EIN, 15 Dec 2004)

Another EPE staffer resigns: Debbie Jarvis Johnson, the "glue" who has held Graceland's operations together since the opening in June 1982, yesterday resigned her position as EPE's general manager, effective 8 October! Debbie was #2 on the power chart, a half-inch below Jack Soden, CEO. EW has always had wonderful relations with Debbie. Debbie's resignation follows the resignation of EPE fan club co-ordinator Patsy Andersen in late April. (News, Source: Bill Burk, 12 Sep 2004)

Graceland for sale?: Sid Shaw's latest Elvis cyberalert suggests rumors are again circulating that Lisa Presley wants to sell Graceland and EPE, with a reported asking price of US$350 million. The rationale for selling Graceland and the EPE franchise would be concerns that older fans won't be around much longer and receipts are likely to diminish in future years.With fan numbers much less than anticipated at this year's "50th Anniversary of That's All Right/Birth of Rock & Roll" Elvis Week some alarm bells may be ringing. Apart from a potential big 3oth anniversary Elvis Week in 2007 EPE may continue to experience slim pickings at other times. (Elvis News, Source: Sid Shaw, 29 Aug 2004)

Elvis by the numbers: Elvis Presley may have left the building 30 years ago, but that hasn't stopped the company that owns his name from putting up more buildings. (Source: Forbes, Aug 2007)

The man who bought Elvis: Investor Robert Sillerman is combining the King, American Idol, and other entertainment assets to build his next media conglomerate. Fortune magazine recently published this fascinating, in-depth look at the man behind the future of EPE. It possibly also reveals a hidden factor behind EPE's need to involve a new owner. (Spotlight/Sale of EPE; Source: Fortune, Nov 2005)

A Deal Unfit for The King:

Are cracks showing in Robert Sillerman's media empire or is it simply a tougher market? (Source: Forbes.com, 24 June 2005)

"Wearing Elvis" - EPE's new strategy:

There are currently 150 Elvis licensees, but EPE is moving away from the smaller licensees to build consistency into the brand. (Source: Forbes.com, 24 June 2005)

Sale of EPE finalized:

The sale of 85% of EPE to Robert F.X. Sillerman's company, Sports Entertainment Enterprises, Inc., has been finalized. (Source: Business Wire, 7 Feb 2005)

Bill E. Burk talks to EIN:

Elvis World's "007", Bill E. Burk, spoke to EIN recently and one of the questions he offers very interesting views on is the sale of EPE to Robert Sillerman. (Interview, 25 Jan 2005)

'Ticketmaster' - Robert Sillerman:

People interested in the sale of EPE should find this detailed article about Robert Sillerman particularly interesting. It details many of his business successes and gives several insights into the psychology of his character. (Sale of Estate/Spotlight Article, Source: NewYorkMetro.com, orig. pub. Dec 2004)

Elvis sells out...again!: (1 Jan 2004)

The King of Rock sold his soul! (29 Dec 2004)

Is the sale of EPE a good or bad thing? (21 Dec 2004)

EPE responds to fans questions (19 Dec 2004)

All about Robert F.X. Sillerman (19 Dec 2004)

Share price soars in company set to run EPE (18 Dec 2004)

EPE has been sold (17 Dec 2004)

Elvis industry flourishes but what is the future?: Twenty-seven years after his death Elvis is the most profitable "dead celebrity", and in this article Forbes magazine looks at EPE's strategy to lift 'flat' revenues as Elvis again tops the deceased celebrities earnings list. (Spotlight/Article, Source: Forbes.com, 27 Oct 2004)

Graceland for sale. Sale of graceland. the sale of graceland. graceland sold.