Hardball negotiations over the 'Lisa Marie'


By: Elvis Australia
Source: www.elvis.com.au
July 9, 2014

It does seem clear that both EPE and the owners of the 'Lisa Marie' are involved in some heavy hardball negotiations over how much of the ticket receipts EPE pays the planes owners.

Clearly the planes owners have released the news, first to the 'Associated Press' and now in the form of a copy of the letter from Jack Soden of EPE in an effort to garner Elvis fan reaction to put presure on EPE so to help any such negotiations to go more in their favour.

Priscilla Presley has just made a new statement saying 'The people who own the plane put the release out to intentionally upset everyone. We're on top of it.

'Upset everyone', meaning to use the reaction of fans to the possibility of the planes being 'lost' from the Graceland exhibit back against EPE, in response to EPE trying a good old fashioned bluff that they are happy to see the planes removed while trying to re-negotiate the price agreement down.

A clue that EPE is bluffing can be seen in the paragraph in the letter, 'Of course, going forward there will be limitations to the use of Elvis' name, image and likeness as related to the exploitation of the planes.  We can discuss that separately as you begin to make plans to market them'. So take your planes, and, we will make it hard for you to promote. or do a deal and keep them where they are.

While in any business situation it is appropriate to negotiate, and EPE have every right to do so - if this is what is happening - as Elvis fans we are not at all happy at the thought of, in particular, the 'Lisa Marie' potentially not being displayed as part of the 'Graceland' experience', in Memphis. We also feel there is a danger that if the planes are forced out by EPE that they could be ultimately 'lost' due to the upkeep as it may not be profitable to display them elsewhere.

Meanwhile, Elvis Presley Enterprises and OKC Partnership are embroiled in a lawsuit filed May 27 in Shelby County Chancery Court over a dispute about how tickets to the airplane exhibit are sold. The tickets have been bundled in a package that includes the tour of the Graceland mansion, but Graceland's operators want to 'unbundle' it and sell the airplane tours as a separate ticket.

How far will EPE go? Priscilla says they are in negotiations. Who will blink first?

Previously from Priscilla: 'I see your posts about the planes. Please calm down, we're in the midst of negotiations. It's as simple as that. Thank you' ... Below, the leaked letter to the planes owner.

The Letter (April 7, 2014)

Dear  K.G.,

I am writing to bring you up to date on a couple of recent decisions that directly affect our current agreement with OKC Partnership whose next expiration date is April 26, 2015.

First, on or about August 5th we plan to re-align our ticketing offerings to reflect the opening of a new Archives presentation building on the grounds of Graceland which will replace the Airplane Exhibit in our Platinum Ticket package. We will continue to offer the Airplane Exhibit as a separate ticket
offering.  Currently the Airplane separate ticket is priced at $12.00 for adults, $5.50 for children.

I believe we may want to adjust that pricing as we seek to maximize the ticket sales for the planes as we go forward from there.

Secondly, it has been decided to exercise EPE's option to END the agreement as of April 26, 2015 and ask that you make arrangements for the removal of the airplanes and the restoration of the site on or shortly after April 26, 2015.

The agreement calls for this notification to be made in writing no later than 90 days prior to April 26, 2015 which would be January 26, 2015.  However, K.G., as you and I have discussed before, having made this decision we want to give you more time to pursue other alternatives for the use of the planes.

Of course, going forward there will be limitations to the use of Elvis' name, image and likeness as related to the exploitation of the planes.  We can discuss that separately as you begin to make plans
to market them.

I am addressing this letter to you as our accepted spokesperson for the OKC Partnership and assume you will share it with your partners. However, if  you would prefer that I write them individually, then please let me know and it will help if you could provide current contact information.

K.G., please feel free to call me as I am sure you will have questions.

Sincerely,

Jack

Jack Soden
CEO
Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc.

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