Scott Blum Announces Advisory Board for New Venture
SANTA MONICA, Calif.--Nov. 11, 2002--Scott Blum, whose third successful company Buy.com set the record for fastest growing company in U.S. history, has announced the advisory board for his upcoming direct response network, which includes the television show, BuyTV.
The advisory board includes some of America`s most successful entertainment industry and corporate business leaders:
-- Jeffrey Berg, chairman and chief executive officer of International Creative Management Inc. (ICM)
-- Frank Biondi, former chief executive officer of Universal Studios and Viacom Inc.
-- Ariel Emanuel, a founding partner of Endeavor
-- Donald M. Kendall, co-founder of PepsiCo Inc.
-- Jacques Nasser, former president and chief executive officer of Ford Motor Co.
-- Ken Ziffren, a founding partner of Ziffren, Brittenham, Branca, Fischer, Gilbert-Lurie & Stiffelman LLP
"We are fortunate that some of the most accomplished and creative business executives are lending their expertise to help guide the development of this network, including BuyTV, which is unlike any previous television show," said Blum.
"The board consists of leaders from two of Hollywood`s top talent agencies, a veteran from one of the largest movie studios, a top entertainment attorney and former CEOs from two of America`s most successful and well-recognized brands. We have the perfect blend of expertise to develop solutions for the expanding globalization of direct-response marketing."
"BuyTV integrates the elements of an entertainment news show, a late-night talk show and a shopping network to create a one-of-a-kind interactive experience with your television," continued Blum.
Details about when and where BuyTV will air will be announced shortly.
About BuyTV
BuyTV is the first program to blend entertainment, information and commerce in one interactive setting. The show will debut in Q1 2003.
Advisory Board Member Biographies
Jeffrey Berg is the chairman and chief executive officer of International Creative Management Inc., a talent and literary agency representing clients in the fields of publishing, motion pictures, television, music, theater, and news and public affairs. ICM, a privately held corporation, is one of the predominant agencies in the United States and Europe, with its principal offices in Los Angeles, New York and London. Berg graduated with honors in English from the University of California at Berkeley and received a master of liberal arts from the University of Southern California. He joined Creative Management Associates, one of ICM`s predecessor agencies, in 1969 as a literary and film agent and was named president of the company in 1980. He became chairman in 1985. Berg is one of the leading agents in the entertainment industry. His experience in representing artists and production companies applies to both the American and international marketplace and he has worked extensively with global media, entertainment and telecommunication companies. He was co-chair of the California Information Technology Council and a member of the California Entertainment Commission. He is presently on the board of visitors of the Anderson Graduate School of Management at UCLA and also serves on the board of directors of Oracle Corp. and the American Film Institute. He was awarded the Cavaliere Ufficiale of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Italy in 1991. Berg has lectured on management and finance in the arts at The London School of Economics. Berg and his wife, Dr. Denise Luria, live in Pacific Palisades, Calif., with their two daughters.
Frank J. Biondi Jr. is senior managing director of WaterView Advisors LLC, a private equity fund specializing in media. He was chairman and chief executive officer of Universal Studios from April 1996 through November 1998 and also served on the board of directors of The Seagram Company Ltd. Biondi previously served as president and chief executive officer of Viacom Inc. from July 1987 through January 1996 and was a member of the Viacom board of directors. Prior to joining Viacom, Biondi was chairman and chief executive officer of Coca-Cola Television from November 1986. In addition, he was executive vice president of the Entertainment Business Sector of The Coca-Cola Co. and of its predecessor company, Columbia Pictures Industries Inc. from January 1985 to July 1987. He also served as chairman and chief executive officer of Home Box Office Inc., a subsidiary of Time Inc., in 1984. He was vice president of Time Inc. from 1982 to 1984. Also, he served as CEO of Home Box Office from 1983-84. Prior to his affiliation with Home Box Office, Biondi held positions with Children`s Television Workshop, TelePrompTer Corp. and the predecessors of Salomon Smith Barney and Prudential Securities. Biondi currently serves on the boards of directors of The Bank of New York, Amgen Inc., Hasbro Inc., Harrah`s Entertainment Inc., Vail Resorts Inc., The Museum of Television and Radio and The International Tennis Hall of Fame. He also serves on the board of fellows of Claremont Graduate University. He is a founding member of the University of Southern California`s board of councilors of the School of Cinema-Television and is on the board of advisors for The Annenberg School for Communication at the University. Biondi received a BA from Princeton University in 1966, and in 1968 earned an MBA from Harvard University Graduate School of Business Administration.
Ariel Emanuel is a founding partner of Endeavor and a driving force in the direction and operation of the company. In the seven years since its inception, Endeavor has become one of the top agencies in the entertainment industry. Emanuel has been an integral part of that success, providing vision for the direction and operation of the agency. "In a relatively short time, Endeavor has turned into one of the most formidable and high-profile agencies," according to the New York Times. Emanuel represents such clients as Aaron Sorkin (creator of "The West Wing"); Larry David (co-creator of "Seinfeld" and creator of "Curb Your Enthusiasm"); director John Woo ("Mission: Impossible 2," "Face/Off"); World Wrestling Entertainment; Conan O`Brien; and actors Mark Wahlberg, Vin Diesel and Garry Shandling. Emanuel is also active through committee membership in P.S. Arts, an industry supported non-profit agency working to bring arts education to public school students all over Southern California. He also served as the co-chair of the 2002 Earth to L.A. biennial fund-raising event for the Natural Resources Defense Council. Prior to founding Endeavor, Emanuel was a partner at InterTalent and a senior agent at International Creative Management. He began his entertainment industry career as an agent trainee at Creative Artists Agency. Raised in the suburbs of Chicago, Emanuel graduated from Macalester College in St. Paul, Minn. He lives with his wife Sarah and their three children in Los Angeles.
Donald M. Kendall, co-founder of PepsiCo Inc., who before retirement in May 1986, served as its chief executive officer for 21 years and served as chairman of the executive committee board from 1986 to 1991. A National Business Hall of Fame laureate and distinguished World War II Naval aviator, he positioned the world`s premier consumer product to serve the nation, foster international understanding and promote human equality. His career with PepsiCo started as a fountain syrup sales representative, which led to other positions including vice president of national sales, vice president of marketing, president of overseas operations and finally, president and chief executive officer from 1963-1986. He has been involved in a wide variety of international and domestic organizations including: National Alliance of businessmen, US-USSR Trade and Economic Council, Emergency Committee for American Trade, the Chamber of Commerce of the United States, the American Ballet Theatre Foundation, Orvis and Buy.com Inc. Donald attended Western Kentucky State College and holds several honorary doctorate degrees from universities such as Babson College, Gonzaga University, Mercy College and the State University of New York (SUNY).
Jacques Nasser served as a member of the board of directors and as president and chief executive officer of Ford Motor Co. from 1998-2001. His 35-year career with Ford took him through a variety of positions and assignments including senior leadership positions in Europe, Australia, Asia and South America. He oversaw the growth and acquisition of Jaguar, Aston Martin, Volvo, Land Rover and Hertz. In addition, he restructured the Ford Motor Co. He added strength to Ford`s light truck and sport utility vehicles and oversaw a product revolution with the introduction of the Ford Ka and the Ford Focus, as well as the sporty, two-seater Thunderbird. Nasser has received an honorary doctorate of technology and graduated in business from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology University. Because of his significant contributions to the well-being of humanity and to the country of Lebanon, he has received the Order of the Cedar. In recognition of his work for Australian industry, as an adviser to government and for education in the areas of technology, he was awarded an Order of Australia.
Ken Ziffren received a BA from Northwestern University (1962); JD UCLA Law School (1965) - Order of the Coif; editor-in-chief, UCLA Law Review (1964-65); clerk to Chief Justice Earl Warren (1965-66); partner, Ziffren & Ziffren (1976-78); founding partner of predecessor to Ziffren, Brittenham, Branca, Fischer, Gilbert-Lurie & Stiffelman LLP (1979-present). Neutral mediator in helping to resolve five-month WGA-AMPTP 1988 strike; outside consultant to DGA, SAG and AFTRA regarding Residual Commission Study and to SAG and AFTRA in agreements with the Association of Talent Agencies; counsel to independent television production companies in FINSYN matters (1990-95). Outside entertainment counsel to Vivendi in connection with Seagrams` deal (2000) and to Turner Broadcasting in acquisition of MGM-UA (1985), as well as to the NFL in 1998 contracts with networks; negotiated for DirecTv with nine studios joining new DBS feature pay-per-view agreements; negotiated contracts with five studios for subscription pay movie channel "Starz!"; represented satellite owners in negotiations with major studios and other product suppliers in Latin America, Germany, Spain, Southeast Asia, Japan and Nordic countries; negotiated agreement for Microsoft in forming MSNBC and interactive joint venture with NBC. Lecturer and writer of legal articles on entertainment law; adjunct professor at UCLA School of Law, teaching seminar courses in network television and motion picture distribution; member of City National Corp. and Panavision Inc. board of directors; UCLA School of Law board of advisors, UCLA Campaign Cabinet; The Museum of Television & Radio Industry Activities Committee; and Fulfillment Fund Founders Circle.
CONTACT:
Thinkbig Media for Buy.com
Stacey Doherty, 949/330-6065 (media)
Cell: 949/285-2361
Stacey@thinkbigmedia.com
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