Christina S. Chang

My focus

 Talent-Brand Collaborations, Endorsements, Joint Ventures

I serve as a trusted advisor for management companies as well as new media and celebrity talent, models, artists, authors, and entrepreneurs, and work with their managers, agents, publicists, business managers, and other representatives to ensure all aspects of their professional careers and personal affairs are protected. Without limitation, I negotiate global entertainment agreements, including management and representation agreements; multi-channel network agreements; podcast network agreements; talent endorsement deals; advertising agreements; merchandise licenses; and literary, film, and TV agreements, and advise on IP, corporate, regulatory, union/guild, tax, employment, and data privacy issues that may arise therewith. Similarly, I provide corporate support to creatively structure celebrity joint ventures and partnerships where talent receives tax beneficial compensation and equity.

Licensing, Advertising, and Compliance

I negotiate and draft licensing agreements on behalf of licensors and licensees in various industries and all product categories and verticals, including apparel, accessories, footwear, automotive, food and beverage, cannabis, and NFTs. I ensure that collaborations between brands and talent are compliant with all applicable laws and regulations, including the Federal Trade Commission’s strict endorsement and advertising guidelines, Food and Drug Administration’s labeling requirements, and the various social media platforms’ changing terms of use. Similarly, I review and identify legal concerns in marketing materials, scripts, and advertising copy, offering resourceful solutions to minimize legal risk without delaying or thwarting the campaign. I also structure nationally compliant advertising campaigns, sweepstakes, contests, promotions, and commercial co-ventures, inclusive of drafting and updating official rules and privacy policies..

IP Protection and Clearance

I provide clients with cost-effective strategies to protect their IP assets and advise on pre-litigation efforts to settle unauthorized commercial uses of their IP. I prioritize cleaning up the marketplace from such unauthorized uses to preserve the value of the brand and facilitate brand expansion.

Looking ahead

 Further development of new platforms, mediums, and monetization structures to sell and trade limited, rare, or exclusive assets or benefits—e.g., sale of NFT token that gets you exclusive access to an elite members-only social club, as well as revised compensation structures to talent, inclusive of monetary and equity compensation that vests based on continuous service and license of their IP.

• “Responding to Cyber Smear and Infringement Campaigns,” Nixon Peabody CLE program, March 2022
• “Entertainment Year in Review: Transactional Panel,” Beverly Hills Bar Association: Entertainment Legal Update, Webinar, February 7, 2022
• “Key Aspects of Social Media Marketing in Health Care,” West LegalEdcenter, Webinar, October 15, 2021
• “The New Celebrity: Navigating the Changing Advertising Landscape on Social Media,” Nixon Peabody MCLE Marathon, Los Angeles, January 17, 2019