Latest news with #22Management
News.com.au
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
‘Not a shred': Claim against pop star Guy Sebastian denied in trial against manager Titus Day
Guy Sebastian's ex-manager Titus Day will in the coming days learn his fate over allegations he embezzled over $600,000 from the pop star, as a court was told there was 'not a shred of evidence' to support counter claims the singer had withheld money from his former friend. Mr Sebastian's former manager Titus Day is standing trial in the NSW District Court, accused of embezzling performance fees and royalties from the Australian Idol winner. Mr Day has denied doing anything dishonest or fraudulent, and has pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of embezzlement as a clerk or servant and one count of attempting to dishonestly obtain financial advantage by deception. His trial has entered its closing stages with Crown prosecutor Brett Hatfield SC beginning his closing address to the jury on Monday. In the coming days, the jury is expected to retire to consider its verdict following a month-long trial. One of the charges relates to an allegation that Mr Day failed to remit $187,000 to Mr Sebastian for performance fees as a support act for Taylor Swift on her 2013 tour of Australia. Other charges relate to performances at private weddings, corporate gigs, cricket matches and for overseas royalties for Mr Sebastian's hit 'Battle Scars', his duet with US rapper Lupe Fiasco which helped him break into the American market for the first time. The court has heard that Mr Sebastian first became involved with Mr Day when he joined 22 Management early in his career. However he later followed Mr Day when he started his own management company, 6 Degrees. The court has been told that their relationship began to deteriorate over time after Mr Sebastian found what he alleged were irregularities in his financial records. Their personal and professional relationship soured and ended with the pair making claims that the other owed them money. The court has been told that in 2018 Mr Sebastian filed proceedings against Mr Day in the Federal Court, which prompted his former manager and 6 Degrees to file a counterclaim During his closing address, Mr Hatfield took the jury to sections of Mr Day's evidence in which he told the court that 'Guy has taken hundreds of thousands of dollars of mine without telling me' and that he was keeping money that was owed to him. Mr Sebastian has not been charged with any offence, nor has he been accused of any criminal wrongdoing. Mr Hatfield told the jury there was 'not a shred of evidence' to suggest the pop star had withheld commissions owing to his manager. 'Absolutely no evidence Mr Sebastian had concealed anything,' Mr Hatfield said. 'It was not put to him that he had concealed anything.' Mr Hatfield said that Mr Day was not entitled to withdraw money from the 6 Degrees Trust Account into which Mr Sebastian's income was paid. 'The accused, who told you he was admitted as a lawyer, you might think would know perfectly well that trust funds are to be kept separate from his business and personal funds and he was obliged to account to the beneficiary, Mr Sebastian, for them,' Mr Hatfield said. 'His assertions about his rights to use the money how he pleased, and his common practice of taking money when he needed it for cash flow purposes, should not deflect you in your judgments about what the accused must have known and his state of mind in relation to it.' Mr Day's barrister Thomas Woods previously told the court that while Mr Day had 'on some occasions' failed to transfer money to Mr Sebastian, he denied doing anything criminal.
Daily Mail
27-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Brittany Higgins signs with talent agency despite being diagnosed as 'medically unfit' for any form of employment
Brittany Higgins has signed with a leading talent agency despite previously claiming she was diagnosed as unfit for employment. Sydney-based talent agency, 22 Management, announced the deal on social media on Friday, weeks after Ms Higgins announced her return to the workforce. Owner Sean Anderson, best known for once representing Australian model Jennifer Hawkins, welcomed the news, describing it as a 'significant signing' for the firm. The former Liberal staffer joins the likes of Sophie Monk, David Koch, Alex Perry and Ruby Tuesday Matthews in 22 Management stable. It comes four years after Higgins reached a $2.4million settlement with the federal government following her alleged rape by Bruce Lehrmann. First reported by The Australian, Ms Higgins' draft statement of claim said she had a 'reasonable expectation of being promoted regularly and to eventually pursue her own political career, before suffering from the injuries and disabilities'. It said she had been 'diagnosed as medically unfit for any form of employment, and has been given a very poor prognosis for future employment'. The claim suggested she was therefore due more than $2.5million in economic losses for 40 years' of missed earnings. Owner of 22 Management Sean Anderson (pictured) described the deal with Ms Higgins as a 'significant signing' for the firm The claims were untested in court after Ms Higgins was awarded a $2.4million payout following one day of mediation talks. More than half the sum was in respect to her loss of earnings, while the rest was made up of medical expenses, legal costs and '$400,000 for hurt, distress and humiliation'. Despite her 'very poor prognosis for future employment', Ms Higgins revealed earlier this month she had taken a gig at Melbourne-based PR firm Third Hemisphere. She reportedly joined as the firm's director of public affairs alongside her husband David Sharaz who is employed as a director at the same firm. It was her first full-time role since her public rape allegations against Lehrmann thrust her into the national spotlight as an advocate for survivors of sexual assault. She has made no secret her ambitions beyond advocacy, describing her role at Third Hemisphere as a 'first step' towards a career aligned with her role models. 'Advocacy is a passion, but it's not forever,' she told the Australian Financial Review last month. 'It is important because the moment struck, and I had to take up the mantle... but it's not a self-sustaining career. 'There are people I aspire to be like - people like Sam Mostyn, Tanya Hosch and Christine Holgate - I hope this is the first step towrads tracking in that direction.' The talent agency shared the fresh news in a post to social media on Friday, writing: 'We are thrilled that Brittany Higgins has joined 22 MGMT! '22 will be exclusively managing all Brittany's speaking and media enquiries (both here and overseas) as she continues on her journey advocating for change. 'We are proud to represent such a strong woman who has endured so much, so publicly, but remains a powerful voice in the fight against gender-based violence. 'It is an honour to provide her with the support she rightly deserves.' Ms Higgins was quick to comment, thanking the agency for 'being a support' and 'having me as part of the (22 Management) family'. Lehrmann has always denied the claims but was found to have raped Ms Higgins on the balance of probabilities by Justice Michael Lee in April last year. He is currently appealing that decision.
West Australian
11-06-2025
- Business
- West Australian
Pop star Guy Sebastian's email revealed in Titus Day trial
Guy Sebastian personally negotiated a release from his contract to join manager Titus Day's new company in 2009 before their relationship ultimately soured, a court has been told. Mr Day is standing trial in the NSW District Court accused of embezzling more than $600,000 from the Aussie pop star. It's alleged that Mr Day failed to pay Mr Sebastian performance fees and royalties that were collected by his 6 Degrees talent agency, including $187,000 for performance fees when the Australian Idol winner supported Taylor Swift on her 2013 tour of Australia. Mr Day has denied doing anything dishonest or fraudulent and is fighting the allegations. He has pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of embezzlement as a clerk or servant and one count of attempting to dishonestly obtain financial advantage by deception. The court has been told that Mr Sebastian first became involved with Mr Day when he signed with the 22 Management company early in his career. At the time, Mr Day worked for 22 Management, which was owned by Sean Anderson. Then, in early 2009, Mr Day told Mr Anderson that he was looking to form his own company, the court was told on Wednesday. 'He indicated to me that he was looking for something a little bit more than an employee role and whether I was open to a partnership or bringing him in as a partner in the business,' Mr Anderson told the jury on Wednesday. 'I indicated I wasn't quite ready to do that and so he said he was looking to start his own business. And I encouraged him to do it.' And when Mr Day formed 6 Degrees and went out on his own, Mr Anderson said Mr Sebastian followed Mr Day because of their close relationship. 'Guy indicated he had formed a great relationship with Titus and he wanted to follow Titus, which I expected would happen,' Mr Anderson said. 'I didn't have anyone in the business that had the music skills that Titus had, so I then negotiated a release from my contract with Guy and he left shortly after.' The court was told that 22 Management had a written contract with Mr Sebastian, but Mr Anderson had since not been able to find a copy. The court was told that Mr Sebastian's contract with 22 Management was due to expire in April 2010; however, he negotiated a release to join Mr Day when he went out on his own to found 6 Degrees. The jury on Wednesday heard details of a mid-2009 email exchange between Mr Anderson and Mr Sebastian as they negotiated the terms of the singer's exit from his managerial contract. Initially, Mr Anderson proposed that 22 Management be given a percentage of Mr Sebastian's gross income for the next two years – 10 per cent on the first year and 5 per cent on the following year. However, Mr Day replied saying that 22 Management was only entitled to 20 per cent of all gross income up until April 2010 and after that a 'trailing commission' on any work done that was negotiated by Mr Anderson's business. The court was told that 'trailing commissions' were negotiated by managers to cover them for their investment in young and up-and-coming performers in the event they become successful and later leave to join new management. It prompted Mr Anderson to propose new terms, including a 15 per cent split to 22 Management and a 5 per cent split to 6 Degrees as well as trailing commissions. 'Titus should be doing somersaults with this outcome, if I was able to go out on my own and take the marquee client with me and earn commissions from day one, I'd be buying lottery tickets,' Mr Anderson wrote to Mr Sebastian in an email, the court was told. Mr Anderson also asked Mr Sebastian to perform at his 40th birthday free of charge, which he agreed to do as part of their amicable split, the court was told. The terms of Mr Sebastian's contract with 22 Management have been a key part of the trial. During his evidence, Mr Sebastian was grilled by Mr Day's defence about his deal with Mr Day in the early days of his contract. Mr Day's barrister Thomas Woods suggested to Mr Sebastian that he had agreed to 'look after' Mr Day down the track 'by compensating him for the lost commission during this early period' in 2009 when he was only earning 5 per cent. Mr Sebastian, during his evidence to the court last week, denied the assertion. '(Mr Day) wanted more than 5 per cent for that period but couldn't get it because of your arrangement with (22 Management) – you would look after him down the track when you were in a stronger financial position, and that was then what you did. That's what I'm suggesting to you,' Mr Woods said. 'Firstly, that's completely false … their agreement was a 15-5 agreement, and that was between them,' Mr Sebastian replied at the time. 'The concept that in 2014, that where I was already paying a lot of commission to Titus … that seems really ridiculous to me.' The trial continues.
Perth Now
11-06-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
Guy's email revealed in manager trial
Guy Sebastian personally negotiated a release from his contract to join manager Titus Day's new company in 2009 before their relationship ultimately soured, a court has been told. Mr Day is standing trial in the NSW District Court accused of embezzling more than $600,000 from the Aussie pop star. It's alleged that Mr Day failed to pay Mr Sebastian performance fees and royalties that were collected by his 6 Degrees talent agency, including $187,000 for performance fees when the Australian Idol winner supported Taylor Swift on her 2013 tour of Australia. Mr Day has denied doing anything dishonest or fraudulent and is fighting the allegations. He has pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of embezzlement as a clerk or servant and one count of attempting to dishonestly obtain financial advantage by deception. The court has been told that Mr Sebastian first became involved with Mr Day when he signed with the 22 Management company early in his career. At the time, Mr Day worked for 22 Management, which was owned by Sean Anderson. Titus Day is standing trial in the NSW District Court. NewsWire / Nikki Short Credit: News Corp Australia Then, in early 2009, Mr Day told Mr Anderson that he was looking to form his own company, the court was told on Wednesday. 'He indicated to me that he was looking for something a little bit more than an employee role and whether I was open to a partnership or bringing him in as a partner in the business,' Mr Anderson told the jury on Wednesday. 'I indicated I wasn't quite ready to do that and so he said he was looking to start his own business. And I encouraged him to do it.' And when Mr Day formed 6 Degrees and went out on his own, Mr Anderson said Mr Sebastian followed Mr Day because of their close relationship. 'Guy indicated he had formed a great relationship with Titus and he wanted to follow Titus, which I expected would happen,' Mr Anderson said. 'I didn't have anyone in the business that had the music skills that Titus had, so I then negotiated a release from my contract with Guy and he left shortly after.' Pop star Guy Sebastian is suing Mr Day. NewsWire/Nikki Short Credit: News Corp Australia The court was told that 22 Management had a written contract with Mr Sebastian, but Mr Anderson had since not been able to find a copy. The court was told that Mr Sebastian's contract with 22 Management was due to expire in April 2010; however, he negotiated a release to join Mr Day when he went out on his own to found 6 Degrees. The jury on Wednesday heard details of a mid-2009 email exchange between Mr Anderson and Mr Sebastian as they negotiated the terms of the singer's exit from his managerial contract. Initially, Mr Anderson proposed that 22 Management be given a percentage of Mr Sebastian's gross income for the next two years – 10 per cent on the first year and 5 per cent on the following year. However, Mr Day replied saying that 22 Management was only entitled to 20 per cent of all gross income up until April 2010 and after that a 'trailing commission' on any work done that was negotiated by Mr Anderson's business. The court was told that 'trailing commissions' were negotiated by managers to cover them for their investment in young and up-and-coming performers in the event they become successful and later leave to join new management. It prompted Mr Anderson to propose new terms, including a 15 per cent split to 22 Management and a 5 per cent split to 6 Degrees as well as trailing commissions. Sean Anderson, the chief executive of Mr Sebastian's former management company 22 Management. Christian Gilles / NewsWire. Credit: News Corp Australia 'Titus should be doing somersaults with this outcome, if I was able to go out on my own and take the marquee client with me and earn commissions from day one, I'd be buying lottery tickets,' Mr Anderson wrote to Mr Sebastian in an email, the court was told. Mr Anderson also asked Mr Sebastian to perform at his 40th birthday free of charge, which he agreed to do as part of their amicable split, the court was told. The terms of Mr Sebastian's contract with 22 Management have been a key part of the trial. During his evidence, Mr Sebastian was grilled by Mr Day's defence about his deal with Mr Day in the early days of his contract. Mr Day's barrister Thomas Woods suggested to Mr Sebastian that he had agreed to 'look after' Mr Day down the track 'by compensating him for the lost commission during this early period' in 2009 when he was only earning 5 per cent. Mr Sebastian, during his evidence to the court last week, denied the assertion. '(Mr Day) wanted more than 5 per cent for that period but couldn't get it because of your arrangement with (22 Management) – you would look after him down the track when you were in a stronger financial position, and that was then what you did. That's what I'm suggesting to you,' Mr Woods said. 'Firstly, that's completely false … their agreement was a 15-5 agreement, and that was between them,' Mr Sebastian replied at the time. 'The concept that in 2014, that where I was already paying a lot of commission to Titus … that seems really ridiculous to me.' The trial continues.
News.com.au
11-06-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Pop star Guy Sebastian's email revealed in Titus Day trial
Guy Sebastian personally negotiated a release from his contract to join manager Titus Day's new company in 2009 before their relationship ultimately soured, a court has been told. Mr Day is standing trial in the NSW District Court accused of embezzling more than $600,000 from the Aussie pop star. It's alleged that Mr Day failed to pay Mr Sebastian performance fees and royalties that were collected by his 6 Degrees talent agency, including $187,000 for performance fees when the Australian Idol winner supported Taylor Swift on her 2013 tour of Australia. Mr Day has denied doing anything dishonest or fraudulent and is fighting the allegations. He has pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of embezzlement as a clerk or servant and one count of attempting to dishonestly obtain financial advantage by deception. The court has been told that Mr Sebastian first became involved with Mr Day when he signed with the 22 Management company early in his career. At the time, Mr Day worked for 22 Management, which was owned by Sean Anderson. Then, in early 2009, Mr Day told Mr Anderson that he was looking to form his own company, the court was told on Wednesday. 'He indicated to me that he was looking for something a little bit more than an employee role and whether I was open to a partnership or bringing him in as a partner in the business,' Mr Anderson told the jury on Wednesday. 'I indicated I wasn't quite ready to do that and so he said he was looking to start his own business. And I encouraged him to do it.' And when Mr Day formed 6 Degrees and went out on his own, Mr Anderson said Mr Sebastian followed Mr Day because of their close relationship. 'Guy indicated he had formed a great relationship with Titus and he wanted to follow Titus, which I expected would happen,' Mr Anderson said. 'I didn't have anyone in the business that had the music skills that Titus had, so I then negotiated a release from my contract with Guy and he left shortly after.' The court was told that 22 Management had a written contract with Mr Sebastian, but Mr Anderson had since not been able to find a copy. The court was told that Mr Sebastian's contract with 22 Management was due to expire in April 2010; however, he negotiated a release to join Mr Day when he went out on his own to found 6 Degrees. The jury on Wednesday heard details of a mid-2009 email exchange between Mr Anderson and Mr Sebastian as they negotiated the terms of the singer's exit from his managerial contract. Initially, Mr Anderson proposed that 22 Management be given a percentage of Mr Sebastian's gross income for the next two years – 10 per cent on the first year and 5 per cent on the following year. However, Mr Day replied saying that 22 Management was only entitled to 20 per cent of all gross income up until April 2010 and after that a 'trailing commission' on any work done that was negotiated by Mr Anderson's business. The court was told that 'trailing commissions' were negotiated by managers to cover them for their investment in young and up-and-coming performers in the event they become successful and later leave to join new management. It prompted Mr Anderson to propose new terms, including a 15 per cent split to 22 Management and a 5 per cent split to 6 Degrees as well as trailing commissions. 'Titus should be doing somersaults with this outcome, if I was able to go out on my own and take the marquee client with me and earn commissions from day one, I'd be buying lottery tickets,' Mr Anderson wrote to Mr Sebastian in an email, the court was told. Mr Anderson also asked Mr Sebastian to perform at his 40th birthday free of charge, which he agreed to do as part of their amicable split, the court was told. The terms of Mr Sebastian's contract with 22 Management have been a key part of the trial. During his evidence, Mr Sebastian was grilled by Mr Day's defence about his deal with Mr Day in the early days of his contract. Mr Day's barrister Thomas Woods suggested to Mr Sebastian that he had agreed to 'look after' Mr Day down the track 'by compensating him for the lost commission during this early period' in 2009 when he was only earning 5 per cent. Mr Sebastian, during his evidence to the court last week, denied the assertion. '(Mr Day) wanted more than 5 per cent for that period but couldn't get it because of your arrangement with (22 Management) – you would look after him down the track when you were in a stronger financial position, and that was then what you did. That's what I'm suggesting to you,' Mr Woods said. 'Firstly, that's completely false … their agreement was a 15-5 agreement, and that was between them,' Mr Sebastian replied at the time. 'The concept that in 2014, that where I was already paying a lot of commission to Titus … that seems really ridiculous to me.'
