• The New York Post, Friday, October 19, 2007 11:30 AM

Concert promoter Live Nation is within two weeks of a deal to acquire Signatures Network, which holds the rights to license and market more than 125 artists, including U2, Kanye West and Bruce Springsteen, according to four sources close to the situation. Earlier this week, Live Nation lured Madonna from Warner Music Group.

Live Nation is paying around $50 million for Signatures Network, sources say, with one of them adding that the merchandising company generates about $120 million in annual revenue but operates with very small profit margins.

Though it has focused solely on tour merchandising in the past, sources say Signatures Network is now looking to strike all-encompassing rights deals that would also include fragrances and accessories, in addition to tour-related merchandise.

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