IPNation Launches $100 Million Investment Platform to Elevate Arabic Music and Entertainment IP in MENA

Influence Media Partners, a prominent New York-based music and entertainment investment manager, has announced a strategic investment to launch IPNation, the first investment platform exclusively focused on Arabic music catalogs and entertainment intellectual property (IP) across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The platform targets a $100 million investment fund dedicated to acquiring and growing iconic music and entertainment IP in the region.

IPNation was co-founded by Eddy Maroun, co-founder of the regional streaming service Anghami, and Jose Maria Dot, former Chief Investment Officer of Multiply Group (now 2PointZero) and Managing Director at FTI Capital Advisors. The company is headquartered in the United Arab Emirates and backed by Influence Media Partners, which is led by Founder and Co-Managing Partner Lylette Pizarro McLean.

Influence Media Partners specializes in acquiring, managing, and creating value from premier music and entertainment IP. The firm maintains strategic partnerships with funds managed by BlackRock and holds a portfolio featuring renowned artists such as DJ Khaled, Future, and Enrique Iglesias.

Ram Kolluri, Head of Investments and Strategic Partnerships at Influence Media Partners, emphasized the significance of this collaboration: "This partnership marks an important step in the evolution of Influence Media. We've long believed that premium music IP is a global asset class, and the Middle East represents one of the most exciting opportunities for long-term growth. IPNation combines deep regional expertise with a compelling vision for the future of Arabic music and entertainment IP. Together, we believe we can create lasting value for creators, rights holders, and audiences across the region and beyond."

Jose Maria Dot, CEO of IPNation, highlighted the undervalued nature of Arabic music and entertainment IP globally: "Arabic music and entertainment IP represent one of the most undervalued cultural asset classes globally today. IPNation was created to institutionalize investment into iconic and predictable income-generating IP while generating upside through our IPNation Value Creation Playbook, bringing our music to larger audiences efficiently. We believe the Middle East is entering a new era where culture itself becomes a scalable financial asset."

IPNation’s investment focus includes music masters and publishing rights, artist brands, Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) rights, and entertainment IP originating from the Arab world. Beyond acquisitions, the company plans to actively develop these assets into multi-format entertainment franchises encompassing immersive experiences, live shows, films, documentaries, merchandise, gaming, licensing, AI-powered derivatives, and next-generation fan engagement.

Eddy Maroun, Chairman and Chief Innovation Officer of IPNation, explained the platform’s transformative mission: "For decades, Arabic music created massive cultural impact but very little long-term ownership value for the region itself. IPNation changes that. We are not only acquiring catalogs; we are building a platform that transforms Arabic IP into global entertainment franchises across music, live experiences, storytelling, gaming, AI, and beyond."

The launch of IPNation coincides with the global rise of music catalogs as one of the fastest-growing alternative asset classes. Despite the MENA region’s rich cultural influence and increasing digital consumption, Arabic music and entertainment IP remain underrepresented in global institutional investment portfolios. IPNation aims to bridge this gap by evaluating acquisition opportunities across legacy music catalogs, publishing assets, artist estates, entertainment rights, and culturally significant IP throughout the MENA region.

Influence Media Partners operates with a mission to transform the music space by partnering with artists, songwriters, and creative executives to steward legacy works and build future brand value. The firm’s leadership includes Founder and Co-Managing Partner Lylette Pizarro McLean, Founder & Co-Managing Partner Rene McLean, Co-Managing Partner Lynn Hazan, and Founding Advisor & Investor Jon Jashni. Influence’s portfolio includes GRAMMY® winning and nominated artists across diverse genres, such as Future, Enrique Iglesias, Blake Shelton, Tyler Johnson, Tainy, Jessie Reyez, and Julia Michaels.

In 2024, Influence launched SLANG, an independent frontline record label and music publisher with a roster featuring artists like Will Smith, Camper, 30 Roc, Isaia Huron, Jace, and Underachievers. SLANG reflects Influence’s culture- and tech-forward approach to music rights and artist-first offerings.

IPNation offers investors access to a unique combination of predictable yield and private equity-style growth upside by acquiring iconic regional music catalogs. The company actively protects and grows artists’ legacies through a value creation strategy focused on yield optimization, second-life activation, and innovative monetization of music IP.

The leadership team’s combined expertise—Maroun’s regional music industry experience and Dot’s extensive investment background—positions IPNation to capitalize on the emerging financialization of cultural assets in the Middle East and North Africa.

Media inquiries can be directed to Hustle&Co. at InfluenceMediaPR@hustleandco.com or North Seventy Five at muneira.aladwani@northseventyfive.com.