HarbourView's Sherrese Clarke Honored

Before founding HarbourView in 2021, Clarke Soares honed her expertise in entertainment and media financing for over 20 years. She was a key figure at Morgan Stanley, where she led the Entertainment, Media, & Sports structured solutions platform and managed the origination of over $85 billion in loan commitments. With initial backing from Apollo Global Management, HarbourView has rapidly grown, now reporting approximately $2.67 billion in regulatory assets under management as of early 2026. The firm’s strategy centers on acquiring premium intellectual property, viewing music and media catalogs as long-duration, recession-resilient revenue streams. This approach treats cultural content as a tangible, high-performing alternative asset class, much like enterprise software. The firm has been highly acquisitive, securing the music catalogs of iconic artists such as Fleetwood Mac's Christine McVie, Pat Benatar, and Nelly. The deal for half of Nelly's catalog, which includes hits like "Hot in Herre" and "Dilemma," was reportedly valued at $50 million. Beyond established rock and pop, HarbourView's portfolio is notably diverse, featuring catalogs from Latin superstar Luis Fonsi, country artist Kane Brown, and R&B singer Jeremih. This demonstrates a data-driven approach focused on the global and cross-generational appeal of music, rather than concentrating on a single genre. Clarke Soares' investment philosophy is not just about financial metrics; it's about identifying creators who have a deep, nuanced connection with their audience. This focus on authentic engagement is a key factor in determining an asset's long-term value and cultural resonance. HarbourView is also expanding beyond music royalties into the broader media landscape. The firm has recently partnered with Will Smith's Westbrook Studios and Flavor Unit to finance a series of hip-hop biopics, starting with one on Queen Latifah, and also invested in Usher's 2024 concert film.