Denton Wilde Sapte’s (DWS) media team has scooped a role advising the organisers of the Music of Black Origin (Mobo) Awards.

Media partner Ingrid Silver led the team, negotiating licence deals with UK pop stars Corinne Bailey Rae, Jamelia, Lemar and their record companies.

The stars performed at the award ceremony held at the Royal Albert Hall, which was broadcast by the BBC.

The deal represented DWS’s first instruction from new client Mobo Organisation after Silver was recommended by a client from her practice at previous firm Taylor Wessing.

The deals included provisions for new media, such as mobile and online content. DWS is looking to take advantage of Silver’s expertise and build up a niche practice.

Silver said: “We view new media as a strategic growth area. You need a very good understanding of the traditional media industry and a good grasp of new technology and emerging business models.”

Silver joined DWS in January this year from Taylor Wessing, where she focused her practice on both media and telecommunications matters.

In September new client Jamba instructed Silver to conduct a review of the UK regulatory framework for mobile phone games that offer prizes.

Mobo Organisation does not have an in-house lawyer, so Silver worked with media manager Susan Dechesare and the rest of the executive team.

Paul Herbert, partner at media firm Goodman Derrick, advised MOBO on its
main broadcasting deal with the BBC.