C-Suite Quarterly

THE MONETIZATION OF CONTENT

VISIONARIES IN SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT

By Ted Chervin, ICM Partners

Bonin Bough Jeff Levick David Renzer Gillian Zucker

THE 2018 NEXTGEN 10

MAKING IT NICE WITH DANIEL HUMM & WILL GUIDARA C-SUITE QUARTERLY LOS ANGELES | NEW YORK SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT SUMMER 2018

THE HOTEL GAME CHANGER

By Tilman J. Fertitta, Landry’s Inc.

Cover

Visionary of the Year

BRIAN GRAZER A spotlight on “the most curious man in Hollywood,” who battled childhood dyslexia to become a prolific producer and Oscar, Emmy, and Grammy winner–and his belief that questioning everything is the key to success and a bigger life

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Features Summer 2018—Vol. 10 No. 3 Los Angeles & New York Sports & Entertainment

VISIONARY OF THE YEAR

BRIAN GRAZER, “the most curious man in Hollywood,” credits his large repertoire of cinematic and televised successes to curiosity; the prolific producer and philanthopist is chairman of Imagine

12

VISIONARIES Los Angeles

VISIONARIES New York

54 DAVID RENZER, a music and entertainment industry veteran, is currently serving as chairman and CEO at Spirit Music Group, where he continues to grow the company’s profile exponentially through direct signings and catalogue acquisitions

58 BONIN BOUGH, a former rockstar marketing exec at Mondelēz and PepsiCo, is now the host of CNBC’s Cleveland Hustles and chief growth officer of Bonin Ventures, a growth accelerator focused on investments in entrepreneurship—and messaging

56 Los Angeles Clippers’ president of business operations and one of the most powerful women in the sports industry, GILLIAN ZUCKER is expanding the Clippers’ reach in the LA area via a fan-first philosophy

60 JEFF LEVICK, the digital media mogul with a successful track record of getting digital companies to sell ads and generate higher revenues, has transitioned from Spotify to CEO of The Players’ Tribune, an innovative startup that delivers sports stories from the perspective of star athletes

OPINION 46 THE MONETIZATION OF CONTENT

By Ted Chervin Founding Partner, ICM Partners A founding partner at one of the world’s largest talent agencies shares his insights on new ways to capitalize on broadening content opportunities provided by today’s ever-evolving TV market

62 56 58

TOC - Visionaries

Entertainment, whose films and TV shows have been nominated for 43 Oscars and 195 Emmys; the company has generated nearly $14B in theatrical, musical, and video grosses

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Contents

25

DESIRABLES

41 SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT

30 Style A basketball legend comes to LA accompanied by his notable style

35 26 Gifts & Gadgets The travel game has just gotten a little simpler, and more streamlined 28 Cigars A special summer collection of unique cigars curated by David Weiss Departments 16 Masthead 18 Editor’s Note 20 Contributors 100 C­Suite Advisors™ Index 117 The Network 129 Editorial Index 129 Advertiser Directory 130 C­Suite Quoted 32

14

32 Air The King’s Lockheed is up for auc­ tion once more, news from the future of flight, plus which World Cup athletes are flying private 34 Land Experience the new and exquisite with Rolls-Royce, Lamborghini, Porsche, and Maserati 36 Water Sailing Yacht A and Illusion Plus take to the sea while shattering records

TOC - Desirables

37 Private Club Report The Jonathan Club has been revamped; join the fast life at Classic Car Club Manhattan 38 Buying Time Recycle your old timepieces for these new ones by JaegerLeCoultre, Patek Philippe, Rolex, Richard Mille, and Vacheron

50

48 Innovative Office The home to countless numbers of cinematic masterpieces and the offices where there is no work without play—a look at the creative digs of Imagine Entertainment and Bleacher Report 50 NextGen 10 We welcome 10 fresh, diverse additions to our Sports & Enter­ tainment NextGen class this summer, each disrupting their respective industry through de­ termination, passion, and vision

48

49

69

In this issue, C-Suite Advisors™ take on a variety of topics including investing in cannabis, creating more professional awareness, and the similarities between coaching a team and leading a business

103

C-SUITE ADVISORS™

DESTINATIONS

CULTURE & TASTE

82 Making Amazement Randall Stone *māz

70 The City Suite Stay suite-side at the fabulous Waldorf Astoria and the exotic Mandarin Oriental

104 Exhibits & Performances Events and exhibits on both coasts that are likely to leave a lasting impression

72 Op-Ed Landry’s owner Tilman J. Fertitta is bringing his own style to Houston with the Post Oak

106 Proprietors’ Profile Chef Daniel Humm and restaurateur Will Guidara have taken the world by storm with their effortless mixture of cuisine, hospitality, and art, creating a sense of wonder at each of their restaurants borne from Eleven Madison Park, voted the No. 1 restaurant in the world

e

84 What You See Is Not Necessarily What You Get Aramis Hernandez & Adam Bohn INC Technologies 86 Why Marketing Services Companies Are Hot Acquisition Candidates Brandon Quartararo & Mike Rosenberg Intrepid Investment Bankers 88 Maximizing Your Philanthropic Impact Brian Werdesheim Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. 90 Two Legal Eagles Discuss Representing Professional Athletes Stacy D. Phillips Blank Rome LLP

76 Going Global Bora Bora, French Polynesia’s gem, boasts Brando themes with suites at The Intercontinental and new Brando Resort

TOC - CSA

110 Fine Dining Featuring a new debut from Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis, innovative hotspots in Los Angeles and New York, and a dip in The Pool in Manhattan 114 Required Reading A selection of must-reads that are perfect for lazy summer days 115 Required Listening CSQ&A An in-depth conversation with Chris Ryan on the rise of podcasts, and what’s next

79 Golf Getaway Explore Quail Lodge nestled deep within Carmel 76

92 Private Investments in Legal Cannabis Businesses Sander C. Zagzebski Ervin, Cohen & Jessup 94 Putting Responsible Practices into Play Charlie Ittner The Darien Group 96 Sports Advertisers Are Demanding More Than Awareness, and You Should Too Mike Schaffer Echo-Factory 98 Coaching Through Nurturance and Vulnerability Shay Hughes Hughes Marino

CSQ SUMMER 2018

15

On the Cover Brian Grazer Location Beverly Hills, CA Photo Dave Suchanek

C-SUITE QUARTERLY

CSQ.COM

Publisher & Editorial Director David L. Wurth

Graphic Design & Illustration Ashle Imbriale Olesya Plugovenko Maxim Zudilkin

ADVERTISING & MARKETING

INQUIRIES

VP, Brand Partnerships Amy Vida

Advertising advertising@csq.com

C-SUITE ADVISORY™

Manager, C-Suite Advisory Robert Kenney

Advisory advisory@csq.com

Manager, Sales & Marketing Dana Santulli-Muhlgay

Editorial editorial@csq.com

Marketing Assistant Chris Coronel

Events events@csq.com

Marketing Partner Hawke Media

Reprints reprints@csq.com

OPERATIONS

Subscriptions subscriptions@csq.com

CONTENT Managing Editor Michele Raphael Editor-at-Large Jason Dean Art Director Dima Kuzmichev Senior Editor Allison Brunner Associate Editor Gabriela Capasso Contributing Editors Ryan Byers Karine Joret Bryan McKrell David R. Weiss Contributing Writers Ted Chervin Tilman J. Fertitta Brittany Fuisz Subrina Hudson Kristen Oliveri Christina Simon Whitney Vendt Photographer Dave Suchanek

C-Suite Advisors™ Adam Bohn Aramis Hernandez Shay Hughes Charlie Ittner Stacy D. Phillips Brandon Quartararo Mike Rosenberg Michael Schaffer Randall Stone Brian Werdesheim Sander C. Zagzebski

Masthead

Special Thanks Veronica Grazer Jeff Stibel

Manager, Operations & Finance Tiffany Weatherman Operations Consultant 1100 Media

C-SUITE MEDIA ADVISORY BOARD

Accountant Stan Arutti

Larry Braun Diana Derycz-Kessler Jim Freedman Paul Kessler Steve Lehman Robin Richards James Segil Irv Zuckerman

Legal Scott Barlow Steven C. Sereboff Distribution Right-Way Distribution

CSQ / C-Suite Quarterly is published four times per year by C-SUITE MEDIA, INC. It is mailed to C-level executives, business owners, and ultra high-net-worth residential communities and distributed in upscale locations throughout Los Angeles and New York.

LOS ANGELES C-SUITE MEDIA, INC., PO Box 8696 Calabasas, CA 91372 | 818.225.8168 NEW YORK C-SUITE MEDIA, INC., 1185 Avenune of the Americas, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10036 All rights reserved. CSQ, C-Suite Advisors™, C-Suite Advisory™, and C-Suite Quarterly are registered trademarks of C-SUITE MEDIA, INC. No articles, illustrations, photographs, or any other editorial matter or advertisements herein may be reproduced without permission of copyright owner. C-Suite Quarterly and C-Suite Media, Inc. does not take responsibility for the claims provided herein.

Printed in the USA.

16

Officine Gullo

EDITOR’S NOTE

Visionary Thinking = Never Give Up

At CSQ’s 2018 Q2 Visionaries Awards held at venue partner NASDAQ’s MarketSite in May. The landmark evening event also celebrated CSQ’s 10-year anniversary and New York expansion.

The difference between success and failure is the ability to work through challenges with perseverance, no matter how long it takes. Success–the result of hard and smart work–requires grit and risk that others aren’t willing to take. A leap of faith, or many leaps for that matter, is the cornerstone of successful behavior and choices that can lead to truly remarkable achievements.

It is said that we, as humans, are programmed by response.

That if we act a certain way, and it elicits an unfavorable response, we are less likely to do it again. Featured in CSQ’s Summer 2018 Sports & Entertainment issue are Visionaries and NextGens who have ignored bowing to adversity. They have not been afraid to take risks, face rejection, or ask questions when it has counted the most, and instead have counted on their instincts and their own ideas to succeed.

As CSQ continues to celebrate its 10-year anniversary in 2018, we also once again celebrate a cadre of some of the best and brightest leaders and influential minds across the spectrum of the sports and entertainment fields in this selectively curated and ultimately inspiring Q3 issue. These leaders are types who don’t take “no” for an answer, no matter how many times it’s given.

One such leader is Hollywood’s Brian Grazer, featured on our cover as Visionary of the Year. It wasn’t an easy road at first for Grazer, who coped as kid by being a jokester, and then was diagnosed with childhood dyslexia. That diagnosis could have thwarted him, but with his grandmother’s belief in him, and an insatiable curiosity, he was able to rise from a Warner Bros. office

18

clerk to a multi-time Oscar- and Emmy-winner and chairman at Imagine Entertainment.

Another is Gillian Zucker, president of business operations at Los Angeles Clippers. One of the most highly positioned women in the sports industry, Zucker got her coveted role in part by asking everyone she could in her network to introduce her to Clippers owner Steve Balmer, convinced he would hire her if she could just get a chance to talk with him in person. She was right.

For 40-year-old Bonin Bough, a mobile marketing mogul, who at 34 was the youngest C-suite executive at Mondelēz (formerly Kraft Foods) after a skyrocketing career that included global marketing at PepsiCo, and came up with innovations such as a 3D Oreo and marketing approaches transforming the billiondollar consumer packaged goods industry, innovation is key.

And for David Renzer, CEO of Spirit Music Group, being a musician himself, and feeding that passion, led to his huge deals in the music industry and his philanthropy for the City of Hope.

These Visionaries, as well as NextGens and C-Suite Advisors featured in our pages, remind us all of the passion and relentless inquiry that changes lives, industries, and our connected world.

I hope, as you read, you are as moved as I am by their stories and more in this quarter’s special Sports & Entertainment issue.

David L. Wurth Founder & Publisher david@csq.com

Photo Credit: Dave Suchaneck

Editor’s Note

Pelican Hill

Contributors

TED CHERVIN is a co-managing partner and board member at ICM Partners, a talent and literary agency representing clients in the fields of motion pictures, television, publishing, music, theater, branded entertainment, and digital media. Chervin oversees the day-to-day operations of the television division’s talent, literary, international format, packaging, and business affairs units.

Chervin joined ICM in 2006, following the acquisition of the Broder Webb Chervin Silbermann literary agency, where he was a named partner. Prior to his tenure at Broder Webb Chervin Silbermann, Chervin served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in New York. A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Amherst College, he graduated cum laude from Harvard Law School. Chervin serves on the Board of Directors for the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation.

TILMAN J. FERTITTA is an accomplished businessman and globally recognized leader in the dining, hospitality, entertainment, and gaming industries. Fertitta is the sole owner of Fertitta Entertainment, which owns the restaurant giant Landry’s, the Golden Nugget Casinos and Hotels, and the NBA’s Houston Rockets. He devotes a substantial amount of time to civic services and charitable organizations. He also serves on the boards of the Texas Heart Institute and Greater Houston Partnership.

Fertitta currently resides in Houston with his wife and four children.

The Monetization of Content, p. 46

Why the Post Oak, p. 72

Style, p. 30

KRISTEN OLIVERI is a New York native who received her B.A. in journalism from Northeastern University in Boston. She is a lover of ballroom dancing, traveling the world, and cooking at home. Oliveri has worked as a freelance travel, food, wine, entertainment, finance, and nutrition writer throughout her career. Follow her adventures on Instagram @krisoliveri and on pastaskitchen.com.

CHRISTINA SIMON is the co-author of Beyond the Brochure: An Insider’s Guide to Private Elementary Schools in Los Angeles, which has been featured on The BBC and NPR as well as in The Hollywood Reporter, Los Angeles Magazine, Town & Country, and The Daily Beast. Simon is the senior editor for nonfiction at Angels Flight • literary west and her writing has appeared in Salon, The Huffington Post, LA Weekly, and L.A. Parent among other publications. She received her B.A. from UC Berkeley and her M.A. in Urban Planning from UCLA.

DAVID WEISS began his career in the cigar business in 1997, when he joined the Lone Wolf Cigar Company team. Originally from New York, he now calls Los Angeles home.

After stints working in investment banking and then corporate entertainment, retailing cigars was a transitional yet impactful shift.

At the time, Lone Wolf was a temporary stop and a means to an end. Retail, combined with an inexplicable love for cigars, made it fit like a glove. Weiss bought the company in 2000 and expanded the retail Lone Wolf brand into a profitable operation with a retail boutique in Santa Monica, distribution company, eCommerce, and most recently, a full-service private smoking lounge in West Los Angeles. The temporary job ended up becoming his life’s work, passion, and true calling.

Gillian Zucker Visionary Profile, p. 56

Consummate Connoisseur, p. 28

Making It Nice With Daniel Humm and Will Guidara, p. 106

20

Contributors

KARINE JORET is a global entertainment and luxury lifestyle advisor noted for connecting businesses and individuals to each other as well as creating curated business collaborations in the entertainment, fashion, luxury lifestyle brands, hospitality, art, interior design, and automotive arenas. Joret started her successful career at Warner Bros. Entertainment where she held numerous executive positions in retail, consumer products, and corporate communications over the years before becoming a strategic advisor to noted brands and individuals.

Entrepreneur. It takes one to know one.

Commercial Bank

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et Edge has built a private-aviation company to service the most sophisticated individuals and families on the planet. With a focus on safety and flawless execution,

Jet Edge is one of only six companies to have received all four third-party aviation safety certifications: IS-BAO Stage 3, Wyvern Wingman, ARGUS Platinum, and the FAA’s Aviation Safety Action Program. Jet Edge CEO Bill Papariella has assembled a team that includes a management group with 300-plus years of combined aviation experience, award-winning customer service representatives, and some of the most experienced pilots in the world. Combining this with state-of-the-art technology and facilities ensures that owners with aircraft under Jet Edge management have the best experience in the industry.

The entrepreneurial Jet Edge culture pairs this high level of experience with optimization. “We’ve invested in technology and information management systems to allow owners the kind of oversight they expect when doing business. Our proprietary systems allow owners to understand the granular P&L of their aircraft, just like they do in their own businesses,” says Papariella, who goes on to explain that the large-cabin private

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The management team has built a service culture from the ground up to provide the best service in the industry. “The world’s most notable entertainers and titans of industry trust our team with their single greatest asset, their time,” Papariella says. “Whether it’s making sure their favorite dish prepared by one of the world’s most notable chefs is served at the right temperature or executing high tea at 39,000 feet, our clientexperience team is as fanatical about the details as our clients are. We understand the type of service that our clients have come to expect from the great hospitality brands of the world— and that’s what they get at Jet Edge.”

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26 Gifts & Gadgets 28 Consummate Connoisseur 30 Style 32 Air 34 Land 36 Water 37 Private Club Report 38 Buying Time

Desirables

Part 1

Desirables - Cover

The Rolls-Royce Cullinan (p.34) is all about embracing the bigger world, while still maintaining its uncompromised luxury

CSQ SUMMER 2018

25

The art of traveling is practically a sport unto itself, so stay at the top of your game with our list of musthaves to perfect your journeys

1.

2.

3.

GIFTS & GADGETS

Upping the Travel Game

6.

4.

Desirables - Gifts & Gadgets 5.

1.

COLLEZIONE BARBIERE SHAVING RAZOR ACQUA DI PARMA

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TT EASY TRANS SMART LANGUAGE TRANSLATOR DEVICE PULOMI

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ZIPPERED DOCUMENT HOLDER INÂ BLACK PEBBLE GRAIN THOM BROWNE

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AVENTHO WIRELESS HEADPHONES BEYERDYNAMIC

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BRUSHED CHROME POCKET FOUNTAIN PEN + PEN SLEEVE INVENTERY

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THE ALUMINUM CARRY-ON ARLO SKYE

$335 acquadiparma.com

$119 amazon.com

$785 thombrowne.com

$449 beyerdynamic.com

$90 inventery.co

$550 arloskye.com

26

DESIRABLES

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A collection of warm summer choices, best paired with a single malt scotch Curated by David R. Weiss, Owner, Lone Wolf Cigar Company

CONSUMMATE CONNOISSEUR

Cigars

TATUAJE COJONU 2012 TORO Nicaragua The Cojonu 2012 is a box-pressed, full-bodied beauty with an oily Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper. Blended by the man behind many award-winning cigars, Pepin Garcia, Tatuaje represents the powerful Nicaraguan wave that is sweeping the cigar industry. The Cojonu 2012 unleashes rich notes of chocolate, coff ee, and a peppery spice. This may be a powerful smoke, but the flavors are balanced and expertly blended.

Size 6.5 X 52 Wrapper Connecticut Broadleaf Binder Nicaragua Filler Nicaragua Overall A rich, full-bodied experience MSRP $15.75

OLIVA SERIES V MELANIO CHURCHILL Nicaragua A highly rated box-pressed cigar from a family that has been growing tobacco for generations, it took five years to get the blend in this cigar just right. Melanio Oliva began growing tobacco during the 1800s in Cuba and his name is honored in this creation. The Oliva family chose some of their most prized aged tobacco for the blend, resulting in full flavors of cocoa, toast, and rich cedar. This blend has appeared on many top cigar lists, and for good reason: it is carefully crafted to deliver full flavors through smooth draws of smoke.

Size 7 X 50 Wrapper Ecuadorian Sumatra Binder Nicaragua Filler Nicaragua Overall A flagship blend with refined, full flavors MSRP $15.25

MONTECRISTO WHITE TORO Dominican Republic Montecristo White is a creamy, smooth favorite of aficionados who appreciate a complex smoke without an overwhelming boldness. Medium-bodied with a copious amount of smoke, it produces a creamy texture that is soft on the palate with a rather crisp, moderate finish. The Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper and Dominican long leaf make this cigar complex yet not overbearing, a flavor combination that has long attracted all types of cigar enthusiasts to the Montecristo White Series.

Size 6 x 54 Wrapper Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade Binder Nicaraguan Filler Dominican and Nicaraguan Overall One of the best mild cigars available on the market today MSRP $12.50

ARTURO FUENTE DON CARLOS #2 Dominican Republic Balanced, rare, and flavorful, this satisfying masterpiece bears the name of the late Carlos Fuente Sr., whose company in many ways defines Dominican cigars. Draped beneath a flawless and savory Cameroon wrapper are expertly aged tobaccos from the Fuente farm. These limited production smokes are full of sweet, nutty, and earthy flavors that cap off any special occasion. The Don Carlos belongs in your humidor, and you may want to keep one or two for your good friends, too.

Size 6 x 54 Wrapper Cameroon Binder Dominican Republic Filler Dominican Republic Overall Consistent, timeless, and sought after for good reason MSRP $14.85

Desirables - Cigars

28

DESIRABLES

Travelstore

Take Your Business Travel to the Next Level

STYLE

The Uniform of the Summer A basketball champion joins Los Angeles, bringing with him a charming swagger and creative style Curated by Karine Joret

Desirables - Style

30

DESIRABLES

LEBRON JAMES IN THOM BROWNE

By Artist Donald Robertson (aka, drawbertson) In the middle of summer vacations, FIFA World Cup excitement, and Wimbledon, the world of sports and entertainment was electrified with the news that LeBron James signed with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Already having a footprint in Los Angeles with an entertainment production company along with a residence, LeBron James—the man, the philanthropist, the businessman, and the athlete—is also a man of great personal style.

With that, while we are working on our Fall style issue, we’ve selected a few of our favorite summer-to-fall product picks, inspired by LeBron’s maverick style presence.

Shoe of the Summer NIKE LEBRON SOLDIER XII BASKETBALL SHOE $150 nike.com

1.

A SELECTION OF THOM BROWNE’S SUMMER STYLINGS thombrowne.com

Desirables - Style

2.

3.

1.

CLASSIC SUIT WITH TIE IN SUPER 120’S TWILL $2,590 2.

UNSTRUCTURED HOLDALL IN NYLON AND SUEDE $1,390 3.

BOARD SHORT WITH PRINTED 4-BAR IN GREY BRUSHED FINISH SWIM TECH $490

CSQ SUMMER 2018

31

AIR

High Flyers Planes of the past, technology of the future, and aircrafts of all-star athletes

FLYING CARS — DISTANT FUTURE OR THE AUTOMOBILE OF TODAY?

Desirables - Air

The AeroMobil 4.0 is the flying car you might have dreamed of as a kid watching The Jetsons.

In a matter of seconds, your car can transform into a plane, allowing you to take off from any surface with only a minimal amount of distance. As a vehicle, the AeroMobil fits in any standard parking space, uses regular gasoline, and can cruise in traffic with a top speed of 160 km/h, and a range of 4.21/100 km. As an airplane, the AeroMobil can hit airspeeds of up to 360 km/h, and has a range of 750 km. The leading flying car designer has garnered investors and hopefully production will be taking off soon. aeromobil.com

How Some Soccer Stars Travel in Style

A look at soccer’s biggest names and their aircraft of choice to the World Cup and beyond AIRCRAFT

FEATURES

Gareth Bale Wales (not competing)

Cessna Citation XLS

8 passenger capacity

David Beckham formerly England

Bombardier Challenger

Range of 3,682 miles

Neymar da Silva Santos, Jr. Brazil

Cessna Citation Sovereign

12 passenger capacity

Zlatan Ibrahimović formerly Sweden

Cessna Citation Longitude

584 mph; range of 4,027 miles

Lionel Messi Argentina

Embraer Legacy 650

613 mph; range of 4,488 miles

Cristiano Ronaldo Portugal

Gulfstream G650

$64.5M

32

DESIRABLES

THE KING’S 1962 LOCKHEED JETSTAR PLANE UP FOR AUCTION The plane may be missing an engine and a much-needed interior and exterior restoration, including updates in the cockpit, but it still contains the legacy of the great Elvis Presley. The current owner paid $430,000 for the King’s private plane in May 2017, outrageously below the estimated selling price of $2.5M. Although the plane is being auctioned “as is” by the online auction site IronPlanet, if restored to its former glory, the jet could sell for millions.

The JetStar was one of Presley’s three private planes; the Lisa Marie and Hound Dog II are both owned by the Graceland Estate. ironplanet.com

Source: robbreport.com Photo Credit: Ritchie Bros.

PLAYER

A DAY VACATION

MALIBU COUNTRY MART OVER 65 UNIQUE BOUTIQUES AND RESTAURANTS IN THE HEART OF MALIBU

Malibu Country Mart

2019 ROLLS-ROYCE CULLINAN

LAND

Executive Performance Taking the exquisite elements of driving to new heights

Rolls-Royce unveils the 2019 Cullinan as its first SUV model, which combines off-road travel with effortless luxury everywhere. At the press of the “Everywhere” button, the Cullinan adjusts its four-wheel steer system and its all wheel-drive to suit your adventure, without sacrificing any of Rolls-Royce’s on-road commodities.

Desirables - Land

Top Speed 155 mph 0-60 6.7 seconds Engine 6.75 litre twin-turbo V12 Transmission 4x4 Drivetrain; automatic Max Power 563 hp Starting at $325,000 rolls-roycemotorcars.com 2019 LAMBORGHINI HURACAN PERFORMANTE SPYDER The highest performer of its class, the Huracan Performante Spyder, brings the thrill back to the driver’s seat. Its strong and assertive character, paired with its sharp, clean, and finely toned exterior, render the Spyder unmistakable as it cruises and roars down the road.

Top Speed 202 mph 0-60 3.1 seconds Engine 5.2 liter V10 Transmission 8-gear automatic Max Power 640 hp Starting at $308,859 lamborghini.com

34

DESIRABLES

2018 PORSCHE PANAMERA TURBO EXECUTIVE Despite the Panamera’s lengthy 17-foot body and four-door profile, this vehicle truly embodies the comfort of a luxury sedan with sports-car performance.

Desirables - Land

Top Speed 190 mph 0-60 3.6 seconds Engine 4.0 liter twin-turbo V8 Transmission 8-speed PDK Max Power 550 hp Starting at $150,000 porsche.com

MASERATI LEVANTE Maserati has unleashed a new force to reckon with, The Levante.

The name itself comes from a warm, Mediterranean wind that changes from a breeze to a gale force in the matter of seconds. It embodies the same passion, flair, and exclusivity that differentiates every Maserati model from every other automobile.

Top Speed 164 mph 0-60 5.0 seconds Engine V6 engine with GDI Transmission Q4 Intelligent all-wheel drive with mechanical limited slip differential Max Power 424 HP at 5,750 rpm Starting at $74,050 maseratiusa.com

CSQ SUMMER 2018

35

WATER

Super Mega

SAILING YACHT A PUSHES THE BOUNDARIES OF ENGINEERING AND DESIGN Sailing Yacht A takes the award for Best Sail-Assisted Motor Yacht in the World Superyacht Awards 2018. Offering the best in design and technology, Super Yacht A comes equipped with a hybrid diesel-electric propulsion system and an innovative navigation system sure to make all other yachts jealous. Designer

EVENT CALENDAR

The Monaco Yacht Show September 26-29, 2018 Monaco, France Barcelona International Boat Show October 10-14, 2018 Port Vell, Barcelona, Spain Abu Dhabi International Boat Show October 17-20, 2018 Adnec Marina, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Fort Lauderdale Boat Show October 31-November 4, 2018 Fort Lauderdale, FL CYS BVI Charter Yacht Show November 6-9, 2018 Tortola, BVI

36

DESIRABLES

Innovative design and impressive details elevate these vessels to best-in-class status

Philippe Starck pulled out all the stops in Germany during the construction of the mega yacht.

The three masts are the tallest, most highly loaded freestanding structures in the world, with the mainmast hovering at 100 meters above the waterline, towering over even Big Ben. She also features an on-deck jacuzzi, elevator, touch-and-go helipad, and a unique underwater observation-pod, luxury being first and foremost.

Owner Andrey Melnichenko Shipyard Nobiskrug Cost ~$419M Passengers 20 Crew Members 54 Length 469 ft.

Range 5,320 nautical miles Top Speed 21 knots

Desirables - Water nobiskrug.com

CHINA’S LARGEST SUPER­ YACHT FINALLY ABLE TO TRAVERSE THE SEAS Chinese yard Pride Mega Yachts announced 11 years ago that it would be constructing the superyacht Illusion Plus, the largest superyacht to ever sail out of China. However, it was delayed due to the world economic crisis. Now, after an April launch, the Illusion Plus has successfully finished up the sea trials and is ready to brave the seven seas. British studio Rainsford Saunders Design incorporated a gently sloping transom and straight vertical bows, to mirror those of a Rolls-Royce.

Her guests will be able to enjoy the spa with sauna, steam, and massage room and the helipad for a quick means of travel. She joins the prestigious ranks of the 100 largest superyachts in the world.

Shipyard Pride Mega Yachts Cost $145M Passengers 16 Crew Members 25 Length 290 ft.

Range 5,000 nautical miles Top Speed 16 knots pridemegayachts.com

PRIVATE CLUB REPORT

Hot Spots for Staying Cool or Adventuring Take in beachside relaxation at a renovated Santa Monica club or adrenaline-pumping thrills in Hudson Yards in Manhattan

JONATHAN CLUB [Recently Renovated] SANTA MONICA, CA

It’s out with the old and in with the new for the exclusive, invite-only Jonathan Club. The elite private club has gone through a renovation, revamping its stuffy, antiquated digs to boast a more modern, sophisticated yet comfortable redesign. Studio Collective, the masterminds behind the renovations of downtown LA’s trendy Hotel Figueroa and the ever-popular Bungalow at Santa Monica’s Fairmont Miramar, took the reins for the club’s redesign with their signature flair.

Following in the footsteps of their prior renovations, Studio Collective went with a residential, lived-in feel, which is accentuated by a lovely Spanish-style villa vibe. The studio

enlivened the tired interior with contemporary materials such as matte brass accents, a milled walnut bar, white oak floors, and custom upholstered leather wall panels. In the private dining room, guests can enjoy unobstructed, sweeping views of the glimmering Pacific Ocean. On the terrace, the overall look is mirrored once again with a Spanish open courtyard style, enriched with lush landscaping, a custom “green” wall, and an eye-catching fireplace. Guests can indulge in all of the club’s previous amenities, like the private beach, indoor pool, full-service spa, tennis courts, and gym, but in a new, stylish environment. The inviting redesign comes almost a century after the initial founding of the Beach Club in 1927.

Membership: Inquire for details. jc.org

Desirables - Private Club

CLASSIC CAR CLUB MANHATTAN, NY

Photo Credit: Jonathan Club — Studio Collective

If lounging by the beach all summer sounds like a bore then the Classic Car Club may accelerate your pulse, with a rare and exhilarating adventure. The club allows members to take out the car of their dreams for a joy ride, slow cruise through the city, or just a stylish errand run. Members are able to choose from a range of 40 vehicles, all originating from the most luxurious, genuinely classic, and sophisticated brands, such as Porsche, Range Rover, Lamborghini, Alfa Romeo, and Ferrari. To keep things exciting, the fleet changes every season to match the surrounding climate and allow drivers to be best suited for maneuvering in the weather.

Outside of the vehicle, members have 24/7 access to the SoHo Clubhouse and entry to happy hour cocktails once a week that grant great networking, casual mingling, and free drinks. CCC also organizes multiple trips throughout the year to allow members to enjoy unforgettable experiences to incredible destinations. Joining is relatively easy; all you need is a driver’s license and the means to pay for it. There are a few levels of membership; the higher the pricepoint, the more privileges. Whichever membership you decide on, the cars, the experience, and the benefits will be well worth it.

Membership: Starting at $5,000 classiccarclubmanhattan.com

CSQ SUMMER 2018

37

So many varied moments occur in our lives that we often don’t acknowlege. Imagine if the 20 minutes before lunch felt like the last 20 seconds of the game, full of highs and lows, that you watched with so much intensity the night before. Could living richer, more rewarding lives come down to capturing a fraction more of our passing time?

By Bryan McKrell

BUYING TIME

Incremental Advances VACHERON CONSTANTIN OVERSEAS CHRONOGRAPH

ROLEX COSMOGRAPH DAYTONA

PATEK PHILIPPE AQUANAUT CHRONOGRAPH

Desirables - Buying Time

VC’s Overseas Chronograph, with interchangeable straps, provides the utmost in versatility. A stainless-steel case with a satin black face and contrasting white dials measures a respectable 42.5 mm across the face.

The watch is large enough to be visible on one’s wrist but is not limiting. The traditional chronograph is both sporty yet understated enough for the boardroom when paired with a black alligator strap. Switch to the rubber strap with folding clasp to easily time laps in the pool or a morning run. A metal band is included to round out the adaptability.

Few would argue that the legendary Rolex Cosmograph Daytona model is highly coveted year after year. For 2018 Rolex has amplified this piece by taking its everose colored example with black face and adding 56 diamonds to the lugs and case, 36 colored sapphires to the bezel, and 11 matching sapphires to the hour markers. The result is a colorful array of artistic expression which still contains the precision timekeeping of a Swiss chronometer. This piece is certain to define exclusivity in the future and be a topic of conversation wherever it is worn.

In typical Patek Philippe fashion, the latest improvement to the Aquanaut line has been carefully designed to maintain aesthetic simplicity. By adding a fly back complication to the movement, the Aquanaut Chronograph did not require a second hand dial, thus eliminating the need for a traditional three-dial display. Orange accent markers, along with a rolling orange seconds hand, provide a splash of color to one of the most understated watches available on the market today. Equipped with a standard black rubber strap that matches the distinct texture of the watch’s face, the designers decided to throw in a bright orange band to match the colored accents of the Chronograph. Now that might attract a little attention.

Starting at $30,200 vacheron-constantin.com

Starting at $120,000 rolex.com

Starting at $43,770 patek.com

38

DESIRABLES

RICHARD MILLE RM 67-02 ALEXANDER ZVEREV The latest creation from the watchmaker is designed to be worn during any type of sporting endeavor. The 67-02 is currently being live tested by professional skiers, Formula One drivers, and, by this example, professional tennis players. Each version embodies the national colors of the respective athlete, with this piece accented in red with a red seamless comfort strap. The carbon composite case and titanium rotor complete the technical look of the open work dial, which is a hallmark of Richard Mille. This latest in-house designed movement reveals the growing prowess of the engineering capabilities of the watchmaker. One will surely stand out at the gym with this watch but stand little fear of compromising one’s six-figure investment.

Starting at $131,500 richardmille.com

JAEGER-LECOULTRE POLARIS GEOGRAPHIC WT

Desirables - Buying Time

A new World Timer being sold exclusively at JLC boutiques touts itself as being ideal for both “travelers” and “men of action.” Inspired by the legendary 1968 Memovax Polaris model, the watch has a 42 mm case but with shorter lugs and a thinner profile, making it ideal for active pursuits. The world time function contains 24-time zones along with a day night disk that uses black-and-white coloring, along with a sun and crescent moon, to indicate the proper time of day. There are also demarcations used to indicate daylight savings time. A unique shade of blue is used at the center of the watch face, which gently fades to black as it radiates out and provides a real depth to the look of the piece.

Starting at $13,600 jaeger-lecoultre.com

CSQ SUMMER 2018

39

VISIONARIES AWARDS IN SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT

CSQ Visionaries SEPTEMBER 2018

LOS ANGELES VISIONARY OF THE YEAR Brian Grazer | Imagine Entertainment

VISIONARIES

NEXTGEN 10 Anthony Carrigan | Actor, Activist Ana de Diego | Spark & Riot Justin Jeffrey Giangrande | VaynerSports Lucas Keller | Milk & Honey Music Talia Veronica Kocar | Mammoth Media Liz Levy | Complex Network

Bonin Bough | Bonin Ventures

Alexandra Machinist | ICM Partners

Jeff Levick | The Players’ Tribune

Nick Mann | Staples Center

David Renzer | Spirit Music Group

Jo Piazza | Author

Gillian Zucker | Los Angeles Clippers

Omar Raja | House of Highlights

To inquire about sponsorship or access please contact us: events@csq.com

By Invitation Only csqvisionaries.com

42 Visionary Alumni & Updates OPINION 46 The Monetization of Content

by Ted Chervin, ICM Partners INNOVATIVE OFFICE 48 Imagine Entertainment 49 Bleacher Report NEXTGEN 10 50 Class of 2018 LOS ANGELES VISIONARIES 54 David Renzer, Spirit Music Group 56 Gillian Zucker, Los Angeles Clippers NEW YORK VISIONARIES 58 Bonin Bough, Bonin Ventures 60 Jeff Levick, The Players’ Tribune VISIONARY OF THE YEAR 62 Brian Grazer, Imagine Entertainment

Brian Grazer has had a massively successful career in film and television, and he is one of the few producers with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

CSQ SUMMER 2018

Sports & Entertainment

Part 2

S&E - Cover

41

42

Visionaries Alumni in Sports & Entertainment

CSQ COMMUNITY AND UPDATES

VISIONARIES OF THE YEAR

2017

2016

2013

JANET EVANS Vice Chair and Director of Athlete Relations, LA 2028

TROY CARTER Founder, Atom Factory; Global Head of Creative Services, Spotify

CLIVE DAVIS CCO, Sony Music Entertainment

As the bid for the 2024 games came to a close and was won out by Paris, Evans and Casey Wasserman huddled up together to make their final pitch to the IOC and were awarded with cinching LA 2028.

The announcement came at the 2017 LA84 Foundation Summit in December with a wide smile from Evans and a hopeful nostalgia for the last time the games landed in Los Angeles in 1984 and the legacy that has lasted.

S&E2015- Alumni

DAN BECKERMAN President & CEO, AEG

2017

2014

ALLYSON FELIX Athletes Advisory Commission, LA 2028

DANA WALDEN Co-Chairman & Co-CEO, Fox Television Group

SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT

2012

PAUL & DIANA KESSLER Founders, Bristol Capital Advisors

VISIONARIES

LAILA ALI Boxer & Public Figure KEITH BRACKPOOL CEO, Santa Anita Park JEANIE BUSS Managing Owner, Los Angeles Lakers MELISSA CARBONE Founder & CEO, Ten Thirty One Productions

After founding one of the world’s top entertainment companies and following the success of her Haunted Hayride, Carbone has ventured into the realm of music entertainment.

Tailgate Fest, to take place this year on Labor Day Weekend, embodies Carbone’s sense of passion and exuberance, bringing together people to enjoy a day of music and tailgating.

BRYAN CLAY Olympian RICK EISERMAN CEO, Engine North America & Trailer Park ROB FRIEDMAN (2016) Former Advisor to the CEO, Lionsgate; Chairman & CEO, TMP Entertainment

Friedman has moved on from co-chairman at Lionsgate Motion Picture Group and has taken up a new post as Chairman and CEO of Donald Tang’s TMP EnterCSQ SUMMER 2018

tainment in August of 2017. Based on his expertise and experience, he will oversee all IM Global staff and projects as well as those at Open Road, a film subset of the company.

PETER GUBER Chairman & CEO, Mandalay Entertainment DARIN HARVEY Founder & CEO, Fight Tribe Management LISA HENSON CEO, The Jim Henson Company CHERYL BOONE ISAACS Former President of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences

Isaacs has stepped down from her position as president of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences. However, she has since been honored by the Icon Mann organization and joined the payroll company Cast & Crew to expand its growth opportunities.

World of Sports PATRICK MCCLENAHAN CEO & President, Goodwill WALTER O’BRIEN Founder & CEO, Scorpion Computer Services RICHARD RADDON Co-CEO, ZEFR RYAN RADDON [AKA KASKADE] (2016)

Raddon, aka Kaskade, is returning to Long Beach to perform at his second annual Sun Soaked festival.

After a successful selling out the event to 13,000 attendees, exceeding his wildest expectations, the DJ is excited for Sun Soaked to go even bigger this year to accommodate even more guests on the sand and in the heat.

S&E - Alumni

CAITLYN JENNER Olympian & Public Figure STAN KASTEN President & CEO, Los Angeles Dodgers JON KIRCHNER CEO, Xperi Corporation STEVE LEHMAN Founder & Chairman, Business Rockstars JOHN MAIER CEO, Blue Microphones SELMA MASEKELA Host & Executive Producer, Vice

ANGELA RUGGIERO (2017) Chief Strategy Officer, LA2024; Co-Founder, The Sports Innovation Lab

Ruggiero stepped down as a member of the commission board for the International Olympics Committee after eight years. She is putting her focus into The Sports Innovation Lab and helping innovate ideas for the LA2024 games but her legacy of advocating for women, athletes, and LA 2028 is sure to live on.

KEN RUTKOWSKI Global Ambassdor, Hyperloop

JAY SAMIT Vice Chair, Deloitte Digital GENE SIMMONS Musician (KISS) & Co-Founder, Rock & Brews RENATA SIMRIL President & CEO, LA84 Foundation A.G. SPANOS President of Business Operations, LA Chargers JOHN SPANOS President of Football Operations, LA Chargers PAUL STANLEY Musician (KISS) & Co-Founder, Rock & Brews DAVID STERNBERG CEO, Ruby International Marketing

JOHN TERZIAN & BRIAN TOLL (2016) Co-founders, The h.wood Group

The two co-owners of h.Wood grew their empire, opening a new nightclub and Mexican restaurant, riding the wave of successes from their previous ventures.

The duo also expanded into Chicago and San Francisco to open restaurant/bar Mason in the Found hotel chain.

MIKE TOLLIN Co-Founder, Mandalay Sports Media PETER UEBERROTH 1984 LA Olympic Organizer, Former Commissioner of MLB, Co-Owner of Pebble Beach JOHN WELSH President, Film Independent

43

Top Five Player Earnings This Year

OF NOTE

Briefings, Updates & Analysis

LIONEL MESSI $111M CRISTIANO RONALDO $108M NEYMAR $90M GARETH BALE $34.6M

FIFA World Cup

The renowned international soccer championship took place with favorable teams and all-star players giving their all in Russia this summer, with France coming out on top

PAUL POGBA $29.5M

YEAR

HOST COUNTRY

WINNER

# OF NATIONAL TEAMS

1930

Uruguay

Uruguay

13

1934

Italy

Italy

16

1938

France

Italy

15

1942

No Games Due to WWII

1946

No Games Due to WWII

1950

Brazil

Uruguay

1954

Switzerland

Germany

16

1958

Sweden

Brazil

16

1962

Chile

Brazil

16

1966

England

England

16

1970

Mexico

Brazil

16

1974

Germany

Germany

16

4

1978

Argentina

Argentina

16

1954, 1974, 1990, 2014

1982

Spain

Italy

24

1986

Mexico

Argentina

24

1990

Italy

Germany

24

2

1994

U.S.

Brazil

24

1998, 2018

1998

France

France

32

2002

Japan & South Korea

Brazil

32

2006

Germany

Italy

32

2

2010

South Africa

Spain

32

1930, 1950

2014

Brazil

Germany

32

2018

Russia

France

32

2022

Qatar

32

2

2026

Canada, U.S., & Mexico

32

1978, 1986

44

SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Countries That Swept the Trophy

5

BRAZIL

1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002 13

4

ITALY

1934, 1938, 1982, 2006

GERMANY

FRANCE

URUGUAY

ARGENTINA

Source: FIFA.com

S&E - Of Note

A FRENCH VICTORY AT THE 2018 FIFA WORLD CUP In an edge-of-your-seat victory, France overcame Croatia to win this year’s World Cup, 4–2, on Sunday, July 15, at a sold-out Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Russia. A penalty-kick goal was scored following the first-ever video review in the final game, and more tense moments, including an own goal, kept worldwide game -watchers riveted to their screens. When it was over, France had won the highest-scoring final since 1966 and picked up its second World Cup in 20 years. Best to stay tuned to France for more World Cup wins: Kylian Mbappe, named the tournament’s best young player, is only 19, and six of 11 of France’s starting players in the winning game are younger than 26 years old.

1

COMEDIAN BYRON ALLEN ACQUIRES THE WEATHER CHANNEL NETWORK

NBC EXECUTIVE NAMED HEAD OF AMAZON STUDIOS

Claiming four of the 10 spots, cinematic behemoth Marvel Studios has blasted its way once again onto the highest-grossing movies list, nabbing the ninth spot with critically acclaimed Black Panther and landing the fifth spot with the decade-in-the-making Avengers: Infinity Wars . They both trail Jurassic World and Star Wars: The Force Awakens, which are also relative newcomers. However, these box off ice boomers still cannot penetrate the second or first slots. These two belong to Titanic (1997) and Avatar (2009), respectively. Black Panther, featuring a minority cast, brought in $1.34B, while Avengers: Infinity Wars intertwined the entire Marvel (Disney Studios) cinematic universe to the fine tune of $1.5B.

Jennifer Salke, formerly entertainment president at NBC, has stepped in as head of streaming services studio leader Amazon. With her vast experience, impressive track record, and passion for the industry, Salke’s additon is warmly welcome, as CEO Jeff Bezos hopes to make the shift to mainstream content.

As a previous network executive, Salke has much experience in the mainstream realm, a suitable skill for Amazon’s new direction.

She will be leading and overseeing the scripted series and future film projects for the studio.

S&E - Of Note

The head of Entertainment Studios has added another network to his growing TV and film portfolio, this time with cable’s Weather Channel. The acquisition comes with a $300M price tag, a considerably smaller amount than the $3.5B paid by Comcast and private equity giants Blackstone and Bain in 2008. The Weather Channel is a household name that has been a well-known brand since its inception in 1982. Allen announced his excitement over the acquisition in March as part of a plan for further strategic investing.

CSQ SUMMER 2018

MARVEL CRACKS THE TOP 10 HIGHEST GROSSING MOVIES LIST ONCE AGAIN, TWICE

1. Nadine Watt with Byron Allen at the 2017 CSQ Summit

LEBRON JAMES WILL NOW BE DUNKING FOR LA

LeBron’s Salary Breakdown

On Sunday, July 1, Los Angeles was overjoyed by the news that another NBA legend will be joining the purple and gold as LeBron James, formerly of the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Miami Heat, starts a new chapter of his basketball career on the sunny West Coast. The threetime NBA champion signed a four-year deal with the Los Angeles Lakers for a very pretty penny—$153.3M to be exact. James leaves the Cavaliers dominating in almost every major statistical category: games played, points, rebounds, assists, and more. Former leader of the Lakers, Kobe Bryant, warmly welcomed James, while the rest of Twitter rightly went insane. James arrives at a highly pivotal time for the storied franchise, as it seeks to cinch another national championship after a dismal last season. With James, that dream may well come true.

4 SEASONS $154,000,000 1 SEASON $38,500,000 1 GAME $469,512 1 QUARTER $117,378 1 MINUTE $9,781 1 SECOND $163

45

One of ICM Partners’ founding partners discusses the means of surviving the constantly changing world taking place behind our television sets

By Ted Chervin

S&E - Op Ed

OP-ED

How to Thrive in Today’s Ever-Evolving Television Market

46

SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT

This is an extraordinary time to be in the television business. There is currently more quantity and higher quality in original programming produced, viewed, and monetized than ever before, feeding the insatiable appetite of today’s video consumer.

There is a seemingly endless number of channels and platforms: Netflix, Apple, Amazon, Hulu, YouTube, HBO Go/Now, Sling, Roku, and more. Some people are cutting the cords on their multichannel systems. And everyone seems to be watching new things in new ways. Change is always difficult, but it can also make for amazing opportunity. In fact, today is probably the best time ever for great TV. Total viewership is on a meteoric rise. Americans spend more than 12 hours a day consuming some form of media, according to research firm eMarketer. And the majority of that time involves watching a TV screen. It’s only going to get better for the people who make television—and for viewers. It’s a dynamic and exciting time to be in the business of creating,

MANY CREATIVES FROM THE FEATURE FILM BUSINESS HAVE MOVED INTO THE TELEVISION BUSINESS IN SEARCH OF NEW OPPORTUNITY, LEADING TO INCREASED COMPETITION FOR SELLERS.

monetizing, and marketing compelling content. Let me share some of the things our agency has learned about navigating this exceptional time in the television business, and how to avoid some pitfalls.

1. Traditional broadcast isn’t dead.

It’s tempting to see the five broadcast networks— ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, and The CW—as dinosaurs.

Their roots go back decades, and they’re competing against some pretty compelling and technologically sophisticated upstarts. But these great brands are not in their twilight. Broadcast shows still have the power to dominate conversation and attention.

For example, our agency has packaged the ABC comedy Modern Family and The Big Bang Theory as well as The Good Doctor and The Blacklist. These shows all consistently generate substantial audiences, in some instances surpassing 20 million viewers.

These shows have proven staying power and will create a memorable experience for viewers, delivering many millions of dollars in revenue for years to come. There are examples of this all over broadcast TV. Certain types of shows—“big-tent” experiences with appeal for many different audiences— will thrive there. New hits like This Is Us and The Good Doctor prove that while it may be a 70-yearold format, viewers still flock to network TV. 2. New platforms are liberating and represent enormous opportunity.

We represent actors, producers, directors, writers, and other creative elements on shows like Game of Thrones, The Handmaid’s Tale, Westworld, and The Leftovers. Cutting-edge shows like these probably couldn’t have been done—certainly not without artistic compromises—in the regulated environment of broadcast television. But they are finding loyal viewers on cable and on new on-demand platforms, where the producers can be as daring as they want.

These platforms are creating new niches. They thrive on water-cooler conversation that fuels their position in the zeitgeist as well as lively social media debate. They’re not driven by advertising revenue, so they allow for more creative freedom. They target specific audiences in the hopes that viewers will subscribe. And all that has spurred some welcome changes in the world of creative development. You don’t have to make a 22-episode season anymore simply because that’s the way the network schedule has been planned since the late 1940s. If a creator wants to tell the story in 8 episodes instead of 22 and it works creatively, that is now made possible by new and emerging formats. That’s been a night-and-day change for creative people. If you realize you can tell a great story over just a few episodes, possibilities are then opened up to ideas never before considered. And the creative freedom is attracting a lot of A-list movie people to TV projects. Just consider the big-name talent on display in Big Little Lies and True Detective.

S&E - Op Ed

TED CHERVIN Partner, ICM Partners Ted Chervin is a founding partner and board member of ICM Partners, a talent and literary agency representing clients in the fields of motion pictures, TV, publishing, music, theater, branded entertainment, and digital media. He is also on the board of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation.

CSQ SUMMER 2018

for unique and compelling intellectual property.

And that can come from anywhere. Not just a novel or a magazine article, but a blog or even a Twitter feed could furnish that crucial inspiration for a series. This is why ICM is aggressively scouting for new talent among a new generation of influencers.

We signed the comic Quinta Brunson because her online videos showed a proven knack for connecting with younger viewers. We also recently clinched deals with HuffPost Media and Politico that will leverage content from those websites across multiple platforms.

The appetite for on-demand content—and the direct-to-consumer models that go along with it— are driving a creative renaissance. If people like content in one place, they’re going to at least try it in another. This is just one way the online world has helped content creators deliver for their fans. Diversifying a content “portfolio” is the key to success in the long term.

4. Selling is still tough — maybe even tougher.

Sometimes the uninitiated can think, “Wow, so many outlets are airing so much content that it must make selling a breeze.” Wrong. What it means, often, is that buyers are more attuned than ever to the needs of their niche audience. That means they have fewer, not more, concepts that can conceivably work. As a seller, you have to have an explicit sense of each platform and who their audiences are. That task is even more crucial because many creatives from the feature film business have moved into the television business in search of new opportunity, leading to increased competition for sellers. What will work on Hulu isn’t necessarily what will work on Netflix or YouTube.

5. Get ready for a winnowing — but not a mass die-off.

Despite predictions of a mass extinction after the era of “peak TV” subsides, we take a much brighter view. We think it’s much more likely that, while some of the weakest players may expire or consolidate, the industry will wind up with something like 300 viable outlets. That’s more than enough, in other words, for long-term prosperity. Will there be winners and losers? Absolutely. But there has probably been too much focus on a shakeout, at the expense of a well-informed emphasis on maximizing opportunities.

If you consider all the evidence, this is why we believe the outlook for TV has never been brighter.

Navigating this new landscape will take constant attention, an entrepreneurial spirit, and a willingness to embrace change. end

3. It’s a great time for IP.

In the past, movies often came from novels, while newspaper and magazine stories often fueled smaller, independent films. But the rush for new programming means producers are on a constant prowl

47

INNOVATIVE OFFICE Los Angeles

IMAGINE ENTERTAINMENT

Outgrowing its old digs, Imagine Entertainment underwent a complete upgrade despite only moving a block away. The new office manages to feel modern but creative, while also maintaining the studio’s 30-year legacy. The openness of the 22,000 sq. ft. space features notable installations referring to the history of Imagine—and providing encouragement for emerging talent.

Industry Entertainment Location Beverly Hills, CA Scope 22,000 sq. ft.

Floors 2 Architect Rios Clementi Hale Studios Interior Tangram Notable Features • The wall connecting the kitchen to the stairway features a mural of snippets from movie posters from films like A Beautiful Mind and The Da Vinci Code.

• Scattered throughout the office are smaller lounges to work individually and allow creativity to blossom.

• A large central staircase connects the two floors enlivening the workplace.

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1. Imagine Entertainment Chairman Brian Grazer added a 10-person sectional couch to promote inclusive meetings in his office 2. A tiered bleacher-style presentation area for impromptu gatherings allows employees to get out of their offices and engage with one another

2

3. Ron Howard wanted the office to reflect a more diversified direction, one aspect of which was honoring Imagine’s impactful writers by hanging scripts behind the company logo

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4. The open, airy two levels permit a connected feeling throughout the office, from one floor to another 5. A key page from the script for Apollo 13, a nod to Grazer and Howard’s critically acclaimed and award-winning film 3

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SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT

5

Bleacher Report’s new, sports-themed 60,000 sq. ft. office at Paramount Plaza, the brainchild of Design Republic, consumes the entire second and third floors of the building. An emphasis on studios and edits bays, as well as special design elements and finishes, serves to breed creativity. The architects ultimately captured moments that echo sports and pop culture with an urban grittiness.

INNOVATIVE OFFICE New York

BLEACHER REPORT Industry Sports Media Location New York, NY Scope 60,000 sq. ft.

Floors 2 Architect Design Republic Interior Herman Miller Notable Features • An open cafe hosts unlimited snacks, coffee, and gossip around the Bevi machine.

• At the sports bar, featuring beer on tap and flowing Prosecco, TVs are set to sports shows 24/7/365.

S&E - Office

2

1

1. To invoke the notion of exploration and team involvement, Design Republic opted for multi-level transparency 2. Employees can partake in a short game of hoops in between work sessions 3. The wish for the digital media company’s new home was for it to be cutting-edge with technically and acoustically high performance spaces

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3

4. An art gallery featuring local artists runs alongside recreational games helping blend culture, lifestyle, and business all in one room 5. Private working spaces are used to propel creative agency 6. The colorful mural of icons in the basketball court features the likes of Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Drake, and the legendary Michael Jordan 4

CSQ SUMMER 2018

6

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NG 10 ANTHONY CARRIGAN

a dog walker, first acting gig was Law and Order: Criminal Intent Guilty Pleasure Video games, pizza, Bonnie Raitt In the Morning Think about what I just dreamt of Before Bed Chess puzzles Up at Night Global warming 2018/2019 Hold the mirror up to nature; help people accept themselves for who they are.

ANA DE DIEGO

JUSTIN JEFFREY GIANGRANDE

S&E - NextGen

LA ACTOR, ACTIVIST American actor known for portraying Victor Zsasz in the FOX television series Gotham and Chechen mobster NoHo Hank in the HBO show Barry Age 35 Residence Silverlake, CA Education Carnegie Mellon University Industry Show Business Company HQ I guess I run lines in my kitchen?

Notable Projects Counselor/ Mentor at Comfort Zone Camp and Mentor/Speaker/Unicorn at Children’s Alopecia Project Advice Strive for empathy.

Mentors Cathy Alexander, Deborah Shakespeare Thurber, Peter Carey, Judith Hession, Dad Local Companies Admired The Goods Mart, The King’s Roost, Time Travel Mart (826LA) First Job First “job” job was as

50

is bestowed on my directors!

Notable Projects Dozens of commercials and three independent films. I’m probably most proud of starting my first production company after college at age 21 Advice “You’ll have plenty of time to sleep when you die.”— My father Success I define success by happiness. The more happy days I have, the more successful I feel.

Mentors My father and my uncles, Enrique and Andy; they all stand for the same thing: Work hard, play hard.

Local Companies Admired I always say that I’m building a mini Anonymous Content with the creative style of Iconoclast and the ethos of Participant Media.

First Job Parking enforcement at USC. Yes, I probably wrote you a ticket. Sorry!

Guilty Pleasure White Chicks In the Morning Facetime with my niece and nephew in Spain Before Bed Lumosity. There’s an attention game with different colored trains you have to direct to the correct station and I’m just one train away from completion; it’s driving me nuts! I should probably be doing something more relaxing.

Up at Night Thinking about how to grow my business but maintain the independence and fire of a startup that I love 2018/2019 Grow the number of events and collaborations [S&R] currently does as a company. On a personal level, go on a climbing trip to Argentina in the next year ... and beat that Lumosity game!

SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT

LA CEO & EXECUTIVE PRODUCER SPARK & RIOT Female-powered production and management company with a European twist Age 29 Residence Los Angeles Education University of Southern California, School of Cinematic Arts Industry Entertainment Company HQ Los Angeles, CA Awards & Honors Luckily for me, most of the recognition

LA NY EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT VAYNERSPORTS A full-service athlete representation agency Age 34 Residence West Hollywood, CA Education University of Florida Industry Sports Agency / Athlete Marketing Company HQ NYC Awards & Honors Featured in YFS Magazine for NCLUSIVE; featured in Sports Agent Blog and Front Office Sports Notable Projects Launched VaynerSports’ West Coast expansion; spearheaded VaynerSports’ Annual Kickoff Party for ESPYs Week Advice “You treat the guy who sweeps the floors just like you would the President of the United States.”—My father, Gary Giangrande

NEXTGEN 10 SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT

We’re pleased to introduce this quarter’s diversified class of industry disruptors, innovators, and rising stars in sports and entertainment. From a best-selling author (Jo Piazza) and sports media phenomenon (House of Highlights) to a female-powered production company (Spark & Riot), and a bustling new entertainment management company (Milk & Honey), our NextGen 10 share an abundance of passion, unrestrained determination, and unrivaled vision. From coast to coast, they are linked by unbridled talent and a knack for innovation as they emerge as the new voices shaping Los Angeles, New York, and the world in their chosen industries, elevating their companies and respective fields to new heights.

NY

Success The ability to push and elevate the performance of everyone around you while continuing to strive to accomplish new goals Mentors Gary Vaynerchuk, David Meltzer, Gary Giangrande Local Company Admired Tuition.io First Job Sandwich artist at Burger King Guilty Pleasure Sampling the hot soups at Gelson’s Markets In the Morning I read the same quote every morning when I wake up.

Before Bed I check my schedule.

Up at Night Unresponded emails 2018/2019 To continue to help VaynerSports raise the level of service expended by athletes in the sports representation space, to travel internationally more and explore the world, and to give more of my time toward charitable work

LUCAS KELLER

LA

CSQ SUMMER 2018

LA

New York & Los Angeles

CEO & FOUNDER MILK & HONEY MUSIC Entertainment management company with a focus on A&R and marketing Age 33 Residence West Hollywood, CA Education University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh Industry Music Company HQ Los Angeles, CA Awards & Honors Clients have sold 400 million-plus albums collectively; Billboard Power 100 executives 2018; Grammyaward winning manager Notable Projects Youngest manager at The Collective 2009–2012. For the past four years, represented songwriters and producers through some of the decade’s biggest hits like Nick Jonas’ “Jealous,” Alessia Cara’s “Here” and “Scars to Your Beautiful,” Selena Gomez and A$AP Rocky’s “Good for You,” Demi Lovato’s “Sorry Not Sorry,” plus others Advice Ask yourself if your clients see you as someone who could lead them into battle.

Success Making sure every artist, songwriter, producer, and employee knows they’re getting the best from me and my company Mentors Michael Green, Reza Izad, Jeff Golenberg from The Collective, Keith Ferrazzi, David Geffen, and Jerry Weintraub Local Companies Admired AAM, Bill Silva, Roc Nation, Maverick, Scooter Braun Projects First Job Runner for an architecture firm Guilty Pleasure Collecting rare,

first-edition, first-print books and vintage Cuban cigars In the Morning Coffee and 20 minutes in the spa to get my mind right Before Bed Email; unfortunately, I don’t have a technology-free bedroom but I admire those who have figured that out.

Up at Night What am I going to do in my four walls tomorrow that will become a new standard for my industry?

2018/2019 We’d like to get to 30 people in the next few years while maintaining the great culture we have, and level of service. Our goal is to keep up the track record of representing some of the best producers and songwriters in the world and to continue to build our artist business as well.

S&E - NextGen

TALIA VERONICA KOCAR

LA

VICE PRESIDENT OF CONTENT MAMMOTH MEDIA Media company that redefines mobile entertainment Age 28 Residence Porter Ranch, CA Education University of Southern California Industry Entertainment Company HQ Santa Monica, CA Awards & Honors Ad Council x Wishbone “I Am A Witness” Bullying Prevention campaign that won the 4A’s Partners Award for “Best Pro-bono Partnerships” and recognition in The New York Times for work with focus groups and teens Notable Projects Hack’d, Skype Branded Campaign on Yarn, Ad Council x Wishbone “I Am A Witness” Bullying Prevention Campaign Advice Write it and it will happen.

Success When you actually enjoy the stresses of your work Mentors Benoit Vatere, CEO, Mammoth Media; Barry Blumberg, CCO, Mammoth Media; Mike Jones, CEO, Science Inc. Local Companies Admired Bird, Kreation Organic Juicery, Handstand App First Job Self-employed makeup artist Guilty Pleasure A bowl of Takis and watching Casanova with Heath Ledger for the 100th time on a Friday night In the Morning Throw my phone across the room due to the noisy alarm, then check Slack.

Before Bed Netflix or a book Up at Night Social media 2018/2019 Create bigger, better, and more killer content.

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NG 10 LIZ LEVY

LA NY EXECUTIVE CREATIVE DIRECTOR COMPLEX NETWORK Media platform for youth culture Age 36 Residence Venice, CA Education College of Charleston, International Business Degree; culinary school in Italy; art school in Atlanta ... you can say I took a lot of forks in the road until I found a single path.

Industry Media Company HQ NYC Awards & Honors Multiple Cannes Lions, Clios, Business Insider’s “Most Creative Women in Advertising” list, D&AD, Emmy-nominated Advice You only grow as much as the experiences around you. … A continuous state of self-exploration and gratitude opens your creativity up to

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SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT

ALEXANDRA MACHINIST

things you could never imagine.

Success Just as an artist looks at his masterpiece or a writer, his words, my work is a piece of myself to share. When someone else sees that piece of art and feels a connection with it that inspires them to create their own possibility, to me that defines success.

Mentors My parents, friends, bosses, and peers throughout my career have all mentored me in some way and continue to do so every day.

Local Companies Admired Lyft, Bird scooters, FounderMade, REI … all companies built by people with big dreams and even bigger work ethics.

NY First Job Working summers filing in my dad’s office PARTNER, LITERARY AGENT Guilty Pleasure It’s only a guilty pleasure if you think so! ICM PARTNERS Talent, literary, and media In the Morning Since I work agency both East and West Coast hours, my day usually starts with a simple herbal tea so that Age 38 I can tackle 6 am phones calls Residence Flatiron—NYC from my front porch in Venice.

Education University of Before Bed Nighttime is my Michigan (B.A.); University wind down time. I try to digital of Virginia (J.D.) detox a half hour or so before Industry Entertainment lights out by reading and tend Company HQ Los Angeles, CA to juggle multiple books at Awards & Honors Variety ’s once! Currently reading Third New York Power Woman Door, Gucci Mane’s bio, and Notable Projects Kevin the latest HBR. Kwan’s Crazy Rich Asians, Jen Up at Night My imagination Sincero’s You Are a Badass, 2018/2019 Launch my Tomi Adeyemi’s Children of bespoke-hat company.

Blood and Bone, Martha Hall Kelly’s Lilac Girls, Sabaa Tahir’s An Ember in the Ashes Advice Never forget that it’s about the client and not about you.

Success Seeing people read-

S&E - NextGen

ing my authors on the subway Mentor Esther Newberg Local Companies Admired McNally Jackson Bookstore, Baron Fig, Apiece Apart First Job Delivering makeup for a local Mary Kay lady—in her pink Cadillac Guilty Pleasure Red wine In the Morning Iced espresso and The New York Times Before Bed A novel for pleasure Up at Night How to make novels as compelling as a binge-watched TV show 2018/2019 Finding more novels to make their way into becoming a binge-watch TV show.

NICK MANN

LA SENIOR DIRECTOR, PREMIUM SALES FOR STAPLES CENTER & MICROSOFT THEATER

NEXTGEN 10 SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Age 38 Residence Torrance, CA Education University of Massachusetts Amherst Industry Sports Company HQ Los Angeles, CA Notable Projects Responsible for creating a new dynamic pricing strategy, brought in more than $20M in new contractually obligated income (COI), and currently a mentor of an eight-person NBA Business Advisory Board Advice Work hard and be kind.

Success Retiring at the age of 60 and traveling the world with my wife Mentors Michele Kajiwara and my father, Howard Mann Local Companies Admired Netflix and Tesla First Job Paperboy Guilty Pleasure Watching TMZ In the Morning Walk the dog.

Before Bed Listen to a podcast.

Up at Night Doing the right things to be sure I live a long and healthy life 2018/2019 To continue to become a better husband, and father to my 3-year-old daughter, Mackenzie

CSQ SUMMER 2018

JO PIAZZA

How Stuff Works Network Advice Absolutely no one is thinking about you as much as you think they are.

Success Creating the stories people need and want to hear Mentors Joanna Molloy, my former editor at the New York Daily News, Colleen Curtis, and Glynnis MacNicol, Founder, The List Local Companies Admired Learnvest, The List, JetBlue, SoulCycle First Job Intern for The New York Times Guilty Pleasure Nutella and Younger In the Morning I avoid looking at my phone until I’ve at least set foot outside for five minutes and seen the sun.

Before Bed Read for an hour, alternating fiction and nonfiction (the opposite of whatever I’m writing at the moment).

Up at Night Worrying that I’m not getting enough done 2018/2019 Turn the Committed podcast into a daily habit/ guilty pleasure, adapt my novel Charlotte Walsh Likes to Win into a television show.

S&E - NextGen

NY

AUTHOR, PODCAST HOST, JOURNALIST Award winning American journalist, editor, and author Age 37 Residence West Village—NYC Education University of Pennsylvania, Columbia (M.A. in Journalism), NYU (M.A. in Religious Studies) Industry Journalism and Publishing Company HQ NYC / San Francisco Awards & Honors Internationally bestselling author Notable Projects Author of eight critically acclaimed and bestselling books, fiction and non-fiction, including The Knockoff, How to Be Married, Fitness Junkie, If Nuns Ruled the World, and Charlotte Walsh Likes to Win; Executive Producer and Host of the Committed podcast from the

OMAR RAJA

FOUNDER HOUSE OF HIGHLIGHTS Media platform focused on publishing sports highlights Age 24 Residence NYC Education University of Central Florida Industry Sports Media Company HQ NYC Awards & Honors Best Use of Instagram—Digiday Notable Projects #CurryChallenge with Under Armour and starting House of Highlights, which currently has 9 million followers and is the 3rd largest Instagram account in terms of video views Advice “The grind never stops.”—Kobe Bryant Success Achieving the goals you set for yourself.

Mentor Dad Local Companies Admired Bleacher Report, Netflix, NBA First Job Machinima Director Guilty Pleasure Dollar pizza after midnight In the Morning Check Instagram Before Bed Check Instagram Up at Night NBA games 2018/2019 10 million followers for House of Highlights in 2018 and 1 billion monthly video views by 2019.

NY

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1

DAVID RENZER

Company Spirit Music Group Age 58 Residence Beverly Hills Education B.A., NYU Family Wife, Esther, and two daughters On wrist Tag In garage Jaguar

Bringing Spirit Music Group to the Next Level

VISIONARY LOS ANGELES DAVID RENZER CHAIRMAN & CEO SPIRIT MUSIC GROUP

Business over a Drink Montage bar Travel Destination Catalina Island on our sailboat Definition of Success “Being able to give back through my various philanthropic activities, and having Stevie Wonder perform a private concert for

After his success as chairman and CEO of Universal Music Publishing, David Renzer is now catapulting Spirit Music Group with chart-topping hits from artists like Pink, Camila Cabello and Ed Sheeran By Whitney Vendt

Songs of Hope!”

Professional Networks / Organizations National Music Publishers Association (NMPA) and SXWorks (SoundExchange).

Philanthropies Supported Foundation for Ethnic Understanding (Co-founder), “Creative Community For Peace,”

Chairman of the Music and Entertainment Division of City of Hope (where he now sits on the Executive Committee) and founded the annual Songs of Hope event, raising close to $4M for City of Hope.

SPIRIT MUSIC GROUP

Song of the Year ASCAP Pop Awards (“Shape of You” via Johnny McDaid)

Employees 60 HQ New York Notable projects / highlights

Ivor Novello Award for “PRS Most Performed Work” (“Shape of You” via Johnny McDaid)

Song of the Year BMI Pop Awards (Ed Sheeran’s “Shape of You” via Johnny McDaid)

SESAC Song of the Year for Billy Currington’s “It Don’t Hurt Like It Used To” #1 Billboard US Pop Radio chart Camila Cabello’s “Never Be the Same” Fourth #1 album for The Script in the UK Highest charting debut in P!nk’s 22 career entries with “What About Us” (Johnny McDaid)

S&E - Renzer

Spirit–B–Unique nominated for Music Week Publisher of the Year Spirit Nashville CMA wins, Song of the Year for Keith Urban “Blue Ain’t Your Color” and Album of the Year for Chris Stapleton’s From a Room: Volume 1 Major Synchs “My Generation” The Who in Kingsman 2 trailer “Everybody Dance Now” in new Will & Grace revival promo The Who’s “Baba O’Riley” in Olympics United in Sports Alicia Keys “Girl on Fire” Superbowl synch with Lindsey Vonn

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SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Spirit Music Group CEO and Chairman David Renzer figured out early on in his career that music publishing is a good place to be as a music lover. A lifelong self-described “music dilettante,” he started by playing keyboard in bands during high school. Later at NYU, he read Billboard and hung around the music department where he played in a jazz ensemble.

Even in his youth, Renzer knew he wanted a career in entertainment, and he had his eye on industry leaders Clive Davis and David Geffen as role models. Their stories inspired him to attend law school with the goal of becoming an entertainment lawyer. “I thought, ‘now that’s a career path I can follow!’” he says. Fast forward a couple decades and now he can call Davis a friend and colleague.

Ironically, it wasn’t law but his music that broke him into the industry. In 1985 he cowrote the song “Electric Lady” performed

by Con Funk Shun that went to Number 4 on the Billboard R&B singles chart. This introduced him to executive Barry Weiss of Jive Records—one of the hottest labels at the time. Through Weiss he landed a job working for Jive’s parent company, the conglomerate Zomba Group, which was an industry leader for some of the earliest hip hop crossover hits with artists like Houdini and Kool Moe Dee. It was at Zomba that Renzer learned the trade from co-founder and owner Clive Calder, whom he calls one of the most successful entrepreneurs in the music business. “When I was starting out, the modern entrepreneurs like Clive also ran many of the hip hop labels.

He had an ability to be both a business and creative visionary. He and many of those guys are still around and actively shaping the industry today. The successful entrepreneurs of the music business [like Clive Calder] have always been a key inspiration.”

For a music lover like Renzer, music publishing was the perfect spot to nurture new talent. At Zomba, Renzer handled the music publishing of songwriters such as Robert John “Mutt” Lange, and writers on Britney Spears and Backstreet Boys hits. “I loved seeing talent at that early stage,” he says, “signing artists as teenagers and seeing them blow up.”

In his decade spent running the North American publishing operation at Zomba, he went from being the eighth person hired, to being part of a team that grew to over 300 employees by the time he left. By then he was the senior vice president and general manager and ready for even bigger opportunities.

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1. Renzer with Mariah Carey; Donna Caseine, Senior VP of Reservoir; and author Don Passman 2. Lionel Richie hosted Songs of Hope III, which was founded by Renzer, raising over $150,000 for the City of Hope

S&E - Renzer

Universal and Beyond

MCA Music Publishing eventually grew into Universal Music Publishing Group, with Renzer helping to build it into the number one publisher in the industry based on revenue.

Renzer oversaw deals negotiating music rights with major film and TV companies like Warner Bros., Dreamworks, and HBO. He played a key role in signing/negotiating an incredible

CSQ SUMMER 2018

3. Dave Stewart, Randy Jackson, and David Renzer

portfolio of A-list talent, including Prince, Mariah Carey, Justin Bieber, Elton John, and The Beastie Boys, among many others.

During his 15 years at Universal, Renzer advanced to chairman and CEO, serving from 2004 to 2011 and growing it exponentially via a series of acquisitions, including Zomba. Notably, he oversaw the record-breaking $2B acquisition of BMG/Bertelsmann in 2007 (which included Zomba Music), making Universal Music Publishing Group the industry leader in pop music publishing, Christian music publishing, classical music, and the production music library business.

Its international presence expanded to more than 50 offices around the world.

In 2011 Renzer felt he had hit a career milestone and was ready to do something different.

He partnered with Haim Saban for a year as president of music ventures for Saban Capital Group, but ended up moving on after building a relationship with Pegasus Capital Advisors, the main financial supporters of Spirit Music Group.

Renzer joined Spirit in 2013 as chairman and was promoted to chairman and CEO in 2017. “In some ways,” he reflects, “I’m back on the independent entrepreneurial side again,

utilizing the experience and relationships that I’ve developed over the years.” He has put that experience to work: Since his arrival Spirit’s net publisher share has doubled and they music group has expanded its presence in the industry as well.

One of the first acquisitions after his coming on board was the purchase of Cal IV Entertainment, a Nashville music publishing company. This gave Spirit additional staff, a great catalog, and a recording studio right on Music Row in Nashville. Acquisitions weren’t limited to Nashville. Spirit now has about 60 employees worldwide in New York, Los Angeles, Nashville, the UK, and the Netherlands.

“We established Spirit Production Music through an acquisition in Los Angeles. We have the Spirit Music Collective, Spirit Music Nashville, a UK operation partnering with Spirit B Unique, and our Latin division, Spirit Music Latino,” Renzer says.

Latin music is one of the fastest growing genres this year, growing almost 40%, and publishers are taking note. “What’s changed is that the music is translating in countries that don’t speak Spanish,” Renzer explains. “People love the vibe and culture.”

Chorus to the Bridge

Engaging in culture is something that is important to Renzer, both in his work and in his philanthropic efforts. He is involved in a number of charitable organizations, such as Creative Community For Peace, which deals with the cultural boycott of Israel, and the Foundation of Ethnic Understanding, which builds bridges between Black, Muslim, and Jewish communities.

“Philanthropy is an important part of my life,” Renzer emphasizes. He also serves on the executive board of City of Hope, where he was head of the entertainment division. With support from his role model and mentor Clive Davis, he launched the charity event Songs of Hope, which has raised nearly $4M for City of Hope Hospital.

Music and entertainment have a powerful influence, not just in philanthropy and business but also for everyone, regardless of culture. Through his position on the board of the National Music Publishers Association (NMPA), and the board of SoundExchange, Renzer is committed to updating laws surrounding how music is licensed and encouraging free-market policies so that artists can build sustainable careers and more people can enjoy their art.

“The truth is,” Renzer observes, “people’s love for music never went away. Music plays an important role in people’s lives. It’s how you remember special moments. Now people with a passion for music have even more tools, like streaming services, to discover and enjoy music. It’s great to be back in a growth industry.” end

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2 GILLIAN ZUCKER

Age 49 Hometown Englewood, NJ Residence Los Angeles Family Husband, Lance; children, Rebecca, Sky, and Bogie; dog, Raisin

VISIONARY LOS ANGELES GILLIAN ZUCKER PRESIDENT OF BUSINESS OPERATIONS LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS

On My Wrist Made With Love Bracelets from Africa In My Garage A ping pong table where my car used to be before I ditched it for rideshare Education Hamilton College First Job Feeder /

bedmaker at a nursing home Business Over a Drink Bar Toscana Philanthropies Supported L.A. Clippers Foundation, Foster Care Counts, American Red Cross Blood Services,

Gillian Zucker: LA Clippers’ Slam Dunk The Los Clippers’ president of business operations soars to new heights with a female-driven brand partnership, artificial intelligence technology to enhance the fan experience, and a new, muchawaited stadium in Inglewood By Christina Simon Salvation Army Business Networks & Associations Young Presidents Organization, LA Sports and Entertainment Commission Can’t Miss Events, Conferences, Summits NBA Tech

Summit, Global Leadership Conference Mentors Lesa France Kennedy, Peter Anlyan, and my parents

LA CLIPPERS Founded 1970 Arena STAPLES Center, Los Angeles, CA Practice Facility LA Clippers Training Center, Playa Vista, CA Full-Time Employees 150

Gillian Zucker’s fascination with sports was ignited by a visit to Yankee Stadium with her father, a physician, when she was 7 years old.

“It was a gray morning,” says Zucker, a native of northern New Jersey. “We came through the tunnel and Yankee Stadium was the most immaculate green field [that it] took my breath away.”

At Hamilton College in New York, she majored in creative writing, perhaps an unexpected field of study for one of the most powerful women in sports. But Zucker, a huge advocate for liberal arts education, says hers taught her how to write well and to craft a convincing argument—something she used to land her job at the Clippers.

S&E - Zucker

Steve Ballmer purchased the Clippers in August 2014. Zucker heard the announcement while she was listening to the radio and went into overdrive. She’d been president of the Auto Club Speedway (the largest racetrack on the West Coast) for nine years and few alternatives would have tempted her to leave. But this opportunity was too good for her to pass up.

Getting hired wasn’t easy. Ballmer was looking for a candidate with NBA experience, something Zucker lacked, despite her decades in the sports industry. Also, Zucker didn’t know Ballmer, so she relied on her extensive network to suggest he meet with her.

“I stalked him!” she says with a laugh.

“I was absolutely convinced that this was the most exciting opportunity for somebody in the sports business. I thought if he would just meet me, I was certain he’d hire me.”

That was four years ago. When hiring her own people, Zucker’s motto is: “Hire for attitude.”

Breaking the Glass Ceiling

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SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Photo Credit: LA Clippers / Getty Images

Driven to Succeed

During her senior year in college, Zucker interned at a minor league hockey team, thinking she might go into sports journalism. Instead, she became fascinated by the team’s operations. Once the internship ended, she was hooked, and the team hired her.

Zucker went from hockey to football, spending time at a major public relations agency whose main client was NFL Properties. From there, she worked at a startup football league, a joint venture between the NFL and NBC. Following many years in minor league operations, her big break came when International Speedway Corporation recruited her to lead the development of a speedway in Kansas. She then moved to Daytona before being sent to Fontana to run the Auto Club Speedway. She was Ballmer’s first maor hire after he joined the Clippers.

For Zucker, part of a very small cadre of high-powered women in the sports industry, obstacles like the glass ceiling are something she’s transcended with explosive force.

Her current office in Downtown LA is filled with a diverse group of women. Zucker’s director of business development, general counsel, vice president of community relations, and director of corporate communications are all female. That’s a big deal.

Zucker knows her position comes with scrutiny and the platform to inspire. She watched this responsibility be executed flawlessly by Lesa France Kennedy, CEO of International Speedway Corp, who was one of Zucker’s greatest mentors due to her ability to “create an enormous amount of loyalty while maintaining extremely high standards.” To women considering professional sports as a career, she says, “Come on, we need more of you!”

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Overcoming Challenges

S&E - Zucker 1. Steve Ballmer, owner of the Los Angeles Clippers, with Gillian Zucker

Partnering With Women

Known for her high energy, Zucker has been a driving force in numerous efforts to revamp the fan experience at Clippers games, including the Lexus Courtside Club, a high-end hospitality suite for guests sitting courtside.

One of her proudest achievements is the team’s partnership with Bumble, the “female first” app that connects users across dating, friendship, and professional networks.

“It’s more than a sponsorship,” she says.

“Our players are proud of this partnership because it reminds everyone how they want their own mothers, wives, sisters, and daughters to be treated. [Clippers Forward] Montrezl Harrell was so excited about the Bumble Empowerment Patch now worn on the team jersey that he wrote the hashtag #StrongerWithHer on his shoes for the game on the night the patch debuted.”

complishments was the re-launch of the LA Clippers Foundation.

In 2015, the Clippers donated $3M to City Year, a nonprofit organization that helps youth ages 17-24 from all backgrounds succeed in school and stay on course to graduate. It was the largest cash gift in the team’s history at the time—and the biggest private sector donation to City Year. To date, more than 600,000 young people have benefited.

Earlier this year, Ballmer announced a major gift to the Los Angeles Parks Foundation to renovate nearly 350 basketball courts in city parks by the year 2021. Partnering with Vision to Learn to provide free eye exams and glasses to more than 600,000 children within the Los Angeles Unified School District is another example of the team’s focus on philanthropy.

Giving Back to the Community

Looking Forward: FANtastic Experiences

Ballmer and Zucker share a commitment to philanthropy that reaches deep into communities where the need is greatest. It’s not surprising that one of Zucker’s first major ac-

Zucker believes the Clippers offer fans a truly exceptional experience. To sell out games, “Fans must leave a game with more value than they expected,” explains Zucker.

CSQ SUMMER 2018

In the fall of 2018, the Clippers will launch a new digital technology that uses artificial intelligence to enhance fans’ understanding of various plays. In partnership with Second Spectrum, a company in which Steve Ballmer is an investor, a new fan engagement platform during live action will become part of enhanced home viewing. This immersive fan experience will be available on TVs, smartphones, PCs, and tablets. The second screen innovation will be the first of its kind for a professional sports team.

The Clippers’ broadcast rights agreement with FOX Sports Prime Ticket is making this possible, and the team announced beta testing for the 2017-18 season. The unique app is based upon Second Spectrum tech and Ballmer’s vision.

Perhaps the team’s most high-stakes project is the new $1B stadium in Inglewood.

Zucker is committed to building a stadium that isn’t shared with the Lakers and Kings, like the current set-up at STAPLES Center.

Currently in the Environmental Impact Review process, if all goes as planned, the stadium could open in 2024.

Early in her career at International Speedway Corporation, Zucker needed to learn as much as possible about its day-to-day operations. In the process of building a new facility, Zucker knew it needed to work for all different types of stakeholders so she spent time with people who ran various parts of the operations. But it was the day she spent with the track accident pickup team that is forever seared in her memory.

On February 18, 2001, Zucker was with the emergency response team in the care center when Dale Earnhardt was in an accident in the last lap of the Daytona 500 that proved fatal.

“That experience is one that will stick with me for the rest of my life,” she says. “It impacted the organization and the people who knew him, but they were resilient and took a tragic situation and turned it into something that became a real legacy.”

Ready to Pivot

Zucker’s whirlwind schedule requires flexibility. “Every day is different,” she says. The one thing she works hard to make not optional is her four-times-a-week workout. “I have fitness equipment everywhere—at work, at my home, and a gym membership, so there’s no excuse.”

With Ballmer at the helm, the Clippers are a technology-driven business. To start her day, Zucker checks her emails and text messages and returns phone calls. Keeping up with the news and social media is extremely important since something can happen overnight in the sports industry, the league, or the world that impacts her business. “I have to be ready to pivot to what’s happening in the fast-moving world today.” end

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VISIONARY NEW YORK BONIN BOUGH HOST, CNBC’S CLEVELAND HUSTLES CHIEF GROWTH OFFICER, BONIN VENTURES

Mobile Mogul and Disruptor Bonin Bough: Past, Present, and Future Bonin Bough, formerly the youngest C-suite marketing executive at global corporation Mondelēz International and senior global director for digital and social media at PepsiCo, is now the host of CNBC’s Cleveland Hustles and chief growth officer of growth accelerator Bonin Ventures.

He believes messaging is the future. By Michele Raphael

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BONIN BOUGH Age 40 Hometown Staten Island Residence Manhattan Family Martin Bough, father In My Garage Who needs a garage when you have the Uber app?

Education B.A., Hartwick College, Physics and Political Science

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First Job Created a magazine at age 12 called WHAT! ( Washington Heights Action Teens) Philanthropies Sup­ ported Jazz Foundation of America, BUILD Can’t Miss Events, Conferences, Summits Milken Global Summit, SXSW, DMEXCO, CES, Cannes Lions Mentors Michael Loeb and Peter Gruber

SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT

BONIN VENTURES Founded 2014 HQ New York Offices 1 Employees 5 Notable Projects Through 2018 Building a baby food business and investing in 22 portfolio companies Notable Projects Up­ coming Will be focused on the future of publishing in text messages

Social Media @boughb (Twitter) @bonin (Instagram) Facebook.com/BoughB Linkedin.com/in/BoughB

Bonin Bough is a force. A prominent serial startup and emerging technology investor, a top-ranked global marketing executive, and a TV host, Bough has been an innovator since he was a child. Raised by creative, visual parents with limited economic means—his mother ran the business side of his father’s special effects photography studio—he lived in all of the boroughs of New York throughout his childhood.

After receiving his first computers at the age of 12—a Commodore 64 from his dad, then a Macintosh 512K from his mom—he learned graphic design and coding and created his first magazine, WHAT! (Washington Heights Action Teens). He presented the concept to the Board of Regents and three issues of his magazine, in which he gave tips for what kids could do for fun in the city, were distributed throughout NYC’s uptown public schools. “My mom pushed me to excel in business,” recalls Bough.

“That was my first foray as an entrepreneur.”

And that was just the beginning.

From there, Bough jumped into a skyrocketing career, starting with a job in graphic design and, later, earning the title of junior partner at an accounting firm after digitizing its tax department—while he was still in ninth grade.

Since then Bough—who now hosts CNBC’s Cleveland Hustles, a show created by LeBron James to help revitalize the city of Cleveland—has led some of the largest breakthrough global digital, mobile, TV, print, and experiential marketing campaigns and transformed how the world’s billion-dollar consumer packaged goods corporations connect with media-savvy consumers and millennial digital natives. As chief media and e-commerce officer at Mondelēz International (formerly Kraft Foods) from 2012-2016, he debuted the first fully-customizable 3D-printed Oreo cookie and created many innovative marketing partnerships across Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Paramount, ABC, NBC, and Fox; executed first-of-their-kind deals with startups such as Foursquare; and launched three of the largest corporate startup accelerators.

Previously, he was a VP in digital marketing for PR firms Weber Shandwick and Ruder Finn and was named the senior global director for digital and social media in 2008 for PepsiCo, where he created industry-first practices

like Gatorade Mission Control, one of the industry’s first models for real-time marketing, and PepsiCo10, a digital innovation platform.

Bough is considered one of the top mobile marketers in the world; he was named “Mobile Marketer of the Year” by the MMA. In 2013, he was inducted into the American Advertising Federation’s Advertising Hall of Achievement, and he has been featured in Fortune’s “40 Under 40,” Fast Company’s “100 Most Creative People in Business,” the Adweek 50, PRWeek’s Power List, and Ebony’s Power 100.

Upwardly Mobile

While at New York’s Hartwick College, he launched Northeastern Digital Media with his roommate Jeremiah Baker, now his partner in Bonin Ventures. Together they launched the company websites for Jordache and the Soccer Hall of Fame. After graduating, and freelancing in programming, he headed up Ruder Interactive with RGA alumni Scott Snyder.

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1. Bonin Bough hosts CNBC’s Cleveland Hustles, created by LeBron James to revitalize the Ohio city.

2. A prominent lecturer and speaker, Bough returned to his alma mater to share his wisdom with students at Hartwick College.

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Bough was next hired by Weber Shandwick to head its global digital practice, tripling its employee size and doubling its revenue within a year. The practice was renamed Screen Grab, with the goal to “target consumers on three screens.” It was a concept that was ahead of its time, another hallmark of Bough’s marketing and multimedia success. “Mobile was so nascent,” Bough says.

During his time at Weber Shandwick, Bough became interested in startups, an ongoing passion of his. “One of the things I learned was how much scale a large organizations can provide to startups. They have the power to transform a startup,” Bough says. That idea came into fruition at PepsiCo when he helped launch the startup generator PepsiCo10.

“At Pepsi, I said, ‘Okay, if we’re going to be digital thought leaders, we’re going to go to the biggest digital thought leader event, and we are going to own it,’” Bough says. He brokered Pepsi’s first sponsorship deal for digital, interactive, and film at South by Southwest festivals—for $150,000, a deal that would be worth millions today, he adds. The Pepsi Podcast Playground and the Pepsi Zeitgeist app were hits for the beverage brand.

Pepsi’s PepsiCo10, the first corporate accelerator for startups to meet brands, is based on a similar concept that is powering Bough’s Cleveland Hustles and its upcoming spinoff, America Hustles, which will film in cities such as Atlantic City, Pittsburgh, Atlanta, St. Louis, and Chicago. The end-game is to award entrepreneurs $2M to help achieve their business goals.

One of Bough’s biggest influences is Indra Nooyi, the CEO of PepsiCo. “Not only is Indra

a phenomenal leader, but she’s had a massive impact on me from a perspective of knowing that you need to stand for a lot more than just success, and that you need to have a higher ideals.”

Bough brings that kind of vision wherever he goes, and it carried over to his next move to Mondelēz as its chief media and ecommerce officer at age 34, making him the youngest C-suite executive at a Fortune 500 at the time. He launched huge innovations, like the 3D-printed Oreo cookie, and changed the way the billion-dollar company approached marketing, including unifying payment terms and bundling mobile buys in the upfront plan, both of which transformed the global industry.

“Our concept was fewer, bigger, better,” says Bough. Long story short, by the time he left, Mondelēz had added $2B of incremental net revenue to its top line, based on media moves; saved $300M on the bottom line; and implemented cross-channel planning, changing the way that the century-old company approached media, according to Bough.

He credits independent investor Michael Loeb for encouraging him to leave the corporate world. With Bonin Ventures, Bough now has a portfolio of 22 companies and is investing in startups, some led by 25-year-olds whose dreams map the ones he had when he was younger. And he’s investing in messaging, which he believes is the future for mobile marketing.

“I believe your text feed is the new browser—email is dead. A whole generation doesn’t know email exists,” Bough says. “We’re going to have to shift our efforts, as publishers, advertisers, and sales teams, into messaging. That’s the bet I’m making.” end 59

JEFF LEVICK CEO THE PLAYERS’ TRIBUNE

Newly minted chief executive of The Players’ Tribune takes on the voice of athletes and explains why cleaning gutters set the stage for his career at disruptive companies By Subrina Hudson JEFF LEVICK Age 47 Hometown Atlanta, GA Residence Manhattan Family Amazing wife and equally amazing daughter and son On My Wrist A bracelet my daughter made me In My Garage My two favorite vehicles at our weekend home are my wife’s 1986 Alfa Romeo Spider Quadrifoglio and my 2017 Toro zero turn TimeCutter “lawn tractor’” Education B.A., NYU; JD, DePaul University College of Law

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THE PLAYERS’ TRIBUNE Founded October 2014 HQ New York City Offices 4 (NYC, LA, Barcelona, London) Athletes on Platform 2,000 Employees ~95 Notable Successes European launch of The Players’ Tribune around World Cup 2018.

Award-winning video projects including Book of Isaiah and Out of Context with Richard Sherman.

First Job I started my own gutter cleaning business when I was 15.

Philanthropies Supported Giffords (giffords.org); Association to Benefit Children (a-b.c.org) Business Networks & Associations AAF, IAB, PTTOW Can’t Miss Events, Conferences, Summits Code, Code Media, PTTOW, Fortune Brainstorm Tech Mentors Advertising Hall of Fame legend David Bell and David Rosenblatt, CEO, 1st Dibs

The Players’ Tribune also published the exclusive retirement announcements from Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash, and David Ortiz.

Free agency decisions from Kevin Durant and Gordon Hayward, and was the platform where Kevin Love and Daniel Carcillo first revealed their struggles with mental health.

Forthcoming Projects You’ll have to wait to be surprised—stay tuned!

Hopping in planes and inking deals to expand the footprint of music streaming service Spotify was a way of life for Chief Revenue Officer Jeff Levick, until he said goodbye to the company in 2016.

The veteran digital media executive needed a break after a lengthy career holding top spots at Google, AOL, and then Spotify, but the holiday lasted only for a year or so.

Now, Levick serves as chief executive of sports media company The Players’ Tribune.

It’s a new position for the New York-based startup and for Levick.

“The first time a company is bringing in an outsider to run the company, it’s a really big deal for the business [and] for the founders,” Levick says. “My only thought as CEO is

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Photo Credit: Fast Company / Getty Images; Sam Maller / The Players’ Tribune

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Jeff Levick Steps Up to the Plate

VISIONARY NEW YORK

about the business and the employees. It’s been interesting as a first time CEO to see how your perspective in terms of what’s important to you shifts.”

The Players’ Tribune is a home for professional athletes to share their stories and insights into the business through video series, podcasts, and long- and short-form first-person stories.

The website has made waves in the industry with stories like Kevin Durant announcing his move from Oklahoma City Thunder to the Golden State Warriors, which garnered more than 3 million unique visitors the day it published. But co-founders Jaymee Messler, former chief marketing officer at Excel Sports Management, and retired New York Yankees star Derek Jeter tapped Levick last fall to help it expand its reach and create new revenue streams—a challenge facing nearly every media company today.

It’s already raised $58M from investors such as NEA, Bryant Stibel Venture, IVP, and Alphabet’s venture arm, GV. The site earns money through sponsored and branded content from clients such as Gatorade, Samsung, and more recently, Pepsi but it’s now eyeing licensing and entertainment deals. For example, it’s currently developing a feature film about former National Football League player Vernon Turner’s life after he published a story about his upbringing and mother’s drug use in 2016.

Levick declined to provide specifics on future projects but the focus is to help share the voice of its athletes.

“My job is to help transform [The Players’ Tribune] and expand what it does, expand the revenue lines, the different products and expand geographies with a healthy respect to the core reason the company exists, which is to amplify the voice of athletes,” he says.

thinking and attention and energy just solely on the business,” Levick says.

Hitting Refresh

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1. Jeff Levick with The Players’ Tribune founder and former MLB player, Derek Jeter

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Top of the Rock

Levick’s knack for spotting opportunity dates back to his first job at 15 in his hometown of Atlanta.

The avid rock climber teamed up with a friend to start a business that would help pay for their pricey gear.

“We figured out a way to pay for our ropes by setting up a gutter cleaning business in the summers, which was quite lucrative,” he says.

“We would just go from McMansion to McMansion offering our services. We’d tie up to the chimneys and repel down and clean the gutters using our climbing rope.”

Levick spent his summers climbing thanks to the outdoor adventure program Wilderness Ventures. He also participated in an advanced mountaineering course through the nonprofit National Outdoor Leadership School.

He credits his love of climbing with giving him the confidence to handle tough situations as well as his late mother, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis when he was 12 years old.

CSQ SUMMER 2018

“Between climbing and my mom, it was sort of like failure was never really an option in my household—you just had to figure it out,” he recalls.

Itching to leave the South and break into journalism, he enrolled at New York University and quickly worked the media circuit to land internships at outlets like Good Morning America. But Levick switched to political science his junior year after a professor, the late Edwin Diamond, gave him a reality check about the low odds of raking in a hefty salary.

“When people tell me how they think about their career, I always tell them you should think about it in terms of time frames and rate of returns,” he says.

But the chief executive was quick to add that he’s now in a position where his ambitions are less about his career trajectory and more about the needs of The Players’ Tribune.

“I think about this as the most selfless I’ve been in a job where I’m trying to put all of my

The roughly one-year break between his old gig at Spotify and his current post helped provide time for Levick to rediscover his own passions.

“The best way to figure out what to do next is to create space between you and the next thing and that’s what I did,” Levick says.

“I didn’t used to unplug. I now think it’s super important.”

While working under Spotify co-founder and chief executive Daniel Ek, Levick helped grow its ad business from $20M when he started around 2011 to a whopping $400M, as well as expand its presence from 13 countries to 60 at the time of his departure five years later.

“I was on a plane traveling the world helping to light up new markets and grow the business as fast as we could,” he says.

But it also meant the father of two was often away from his children, now 14 and 12, and his wife, Kate.

Levick said traveling was a necessary part of the job but with the help of his wife the couple found ways to create balance. Early on, he committed to calling his kids before bedtime.

“No matter what time zone I was in, I would never miss saying goodnight to them before they went to bed,” he says. “I may have missed it once but it was something I really worked so hard [at] to always talk to my kids.”

Now that they’re older he connects with them through their favorite channels, from Snapchat to FaceTime.

Plus, the family also has its own farm in Washington, Conn., for weekend getaways.

Levick says the second home was initially a plan by his wife, who didn’t want their kids to recall family holidays inside a New York City condo. But it quickly turned into a weekly ritual—every Friday the family packs up and drives the roughly 88 miles to the 40-acre home.

“I’ve flown in from JFK and had a taxi take me to a gas station where my family would pick me up—we’re that religious about going,” he says. “I grow big gardens and every year I learn a little bit more and I do a little bit more.

It’s just relaxing, cathartic, good for me.”

Levick credits Ek for teaching him how to take time out for himself, adding that Spotify had a singular focus on growing its business but also encouraged employees to spend time with family and take vacations.

Coupled with his experience heading sales and advertising strategy for Google then AOL, he said his time at Spotify helped train him for his current role. He saw a chance to get in on the ground floor of a disruptive business, much like his previous firms.

“I was passionate about it and I felt I could add value,” he says. “Our ambitions are to disrupt at a larger level the way fans engage with athletes—that’s the opportunity for the players at The Players’ Tribune and that’s solely what we’re focused on.” end

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VISIONARY OF THE YEAR

Words by Jason Dean Photos by Dave Suchanek

An active imagination, a distaste for bullies, and the ability to channel his inner underdog have led Brian Grazer to the top of the film and TV industries in a career that continues to be fueled by asking difficult questions

The Most Curious Man in Hollywood S&E - Grazer

Brian Grazer CSQ SUMMER 2018

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adversity, and the times they occupy. Geni­ us is the first scripted drama series to air on National Geographic. The 2017 Season 1 debut featured Albert Einstein and was nominated for 10 Emmy awards. Season 2 featured legendary artist Pablo Picasso and garnered seven Emmy nominations.

“Mood elevation is really important to me,” said Grazer in a recent conversation with CSQ at his Beverly Hills office. “My intention is to elevate people’s moods and make them feel something they haven’t felt before.” While elevating moods may be Grazer’s forte, asking questions throughout the journey has long been his modus operandi.

Grazer’s demeanor is slightly more relaxed than his signature electric hairstyle as he dives into an explanation of one of his favorite office curios. What at first glance appears to be a backgammon set opens to reveal a striking collection of glass vials, containing a complex menu of elements used to create different perfumes. Given to him by The Emperor of Scent author Chandler Burr, the ornate display is an effective icebreaker.

“Props make people more comfortable,” he says. “This is a good prop.”

During a freestyle conversation that touches on his Southern California upbringing, his battle with dyslexia, the Jewish

BRIAN GRAZER

Age 67 Hometown Santa Monica, CA Residence Santa Monica, CA Family Wife, three sons, and a daughter On My Wrist “Gold Rolex, a birthday gift last year from my wife.”

In My Garage “Silver Tesla and my surfboards.”

Education USC, School of Cinema & Television; currently serving on the USC Film School Board First Job Fry cook at Howard Johnson’s

Last Book Read Measure What Matters

by John Doerr Business Over a Drink “Margarita with Casamigos, not too sweet, salt on the rim.”

Philanthropies Supported World of Children, WE Organization, St. Monica Parish Can’t Miss Events Allen & Company in Sun Valley, Google Camp Sicily, The Weekend in Aspen Mentors “I have a lot of really, really wise friends of all ages that I call on for advice—all the time!”

grandmother who encouraged his curiosity, and his uncanny ability to seize opportunities from the most unlikely places, Grazer weaves a lively narrative punctuated by astute observations. Although he’s been in the entertainment business since the 1970s with a career that has evolved light years since his days as a Warner Bros. law clerk, Grazer has resisted falling into the conventional traps of the studio exec.

“I don’t mind being on hold with someone’s assistant,” he offers, in a declaration of his big-picture thinking. “In tech, you make

Photo Credit: Universal Pictures / Eli Reed

When it comes to exploring the topics that fuel our hopes and dreams, Brian Grazer has made an indelible impression on the big screen as well as television. He connects with audiences on both a visceral and cerebral level with engrossing projects that cover a gamut of historical, generational, and aspirational subjects.

With a body of work that includes A Beau­ tiful Mind , Apollo 13, Frost / Nixon, Inside Man, American Gangster, The DaVinci Code, 8 Mile, and a litany of other films that would warrant top billing for any producer’s resumé, Grazer’s film and television projects have explored the far reaches of the human experience as well as the inner workings of the psyche. Imagine Entertainment’s films and television programs have generated nearly $14B in worldwide theatrical, music, video, and merchandising grosses, garnering a total of 43 Oscar nominations along the way.

Add TV series such as 24, Empire, and Arrested Development—plus 195 Emmy nominations and a Grammy win—into the mix, and it’s abundantly clear that Grazer’s formula for success tapped into a cultural zeitgeist, hitting its stride during the 1990s and continuing today.

His latest foray into “smart” TV—which he calls the new reality TV—is all about discovery through digging into personalities,

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IMAGINE ENTERTAINMENT Founded 1986 Employees 41

your own calls. I like making my own calls.

I don’t mind talking to assistants and getting to know assistants, ’cause they’re soon gonna be bosses, right?”

Notable Projects Through 2018

The Wunderkind Years

Grazer traces the f lashpoint of his fascination to seeing E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial at Hollywood’s Cinerama Dome in 1982.

Though he was already working in film, his career was still in development. It was the distinct separation of his before-and-after experience related to seeing Steven Spielberg’s blockbuster fantasy, however, that crystalized for Grazer the vast potential of movies to inspire and even change how people act.

On the way to the theater, Grazer remembers everything being a blur of typical LA chaos: parking pandemonium, jostling with the crowd, concessions free-for-all— nothing was in sy nc and ever yone and everything seemed fueled by agitation. After the film ended, however, Grazer looked around and felt a sense of equilibrium, order, and peace. The world had transformed.

People were polite to one another. Exiting traffic f lowed smoothly from the theater parking lot. It was as if the film and its underlying message had unified the collective consciousness of the crowd.

“Details ignite emotion,” he says, his voice adopting the purposeful cadence of a mantra. “Scripts are a map to emotion.

When it works, [you create] an emotional memory.” Which is exactly what Grazer experienced years ago in the aftermath of Spielberg’s science-fiction flick, widely acclaimed as one of the greatest movies ever made.

From that moment on, Grazer was on a mission to become a creative force working toward the positive impact that film can achieve. He had been pitching an idea for a movie about a mermaid who washes up on the shores of New York City. Similar to E.T. in that the story involves a visitor from another place who encounters a kind-hearted protagonist, Grazer nonetheless endured seven years of rejection—and insults berating the concept—before Disney picked up the project. When it was finally released in 1984, Splash, starring Tom Hanks and Daryl Hannah, would go on to be nominated for an Academy Award when Grazer was just 33.

A Beautiful Mind (Oscar winner, Best Picture, 2002) 8 Mile Empire (TV) American Gangster 24 (TV) Friday Night Lights Apollo 13 Splash Genius (Albert Einstein, Pablo Picasso; TV) The Spy Who Dumped Me Upcoming

Tick, Tick … BOOM! (with Lin-Manuel Miranda) Hillbilly Elegy Pavarotti documentary Gucci Mane biopic

Swagger series (with Kevin Durant) Friday Night Lights 2 Curious George

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Feature Image: Grazer in front of his own artwork, painted in his studio, titled “Gogo Barbie” 1. Ron Howard, Russell Crowe, Brian Grazer, and Akiva Goldsman on the set of A Beautiful Mind 2. Brian Grazer and Eminem on the set of 8 Mile

Beyond Happy Days

Early in his career, Grazer developed a practice—which he went out of his way to fulfill—that challenged him to meet someone new every day. Unintimidated by the prospect of starting a conversation with anyone who might directly or indirectly help him catch a break or take his game to the next level, Grazer took the practice seriously.

His bold panache resulted in face-to-face

meetings with Lew Wasserman, Warren Beatty, and Ron Howard, the latter leading to a 30-plus-year partnership that is still going strong to this day. The two joke that they have one of the longest marriages in Hollywood. “I met Ron by calling out to him one day when he was walking down the hall past my office,” recalls Grazer. At that point, Howard was an established actor with two successful series, The Andy Griffith Show and Happy Days, under his belt. They developed a quick friendship and an appreciation of their complementary styles.

Grazer and Howard first worked together on the 1982 comedy Night Shift, for which Grazer was a producer. The movie, starring Michael Keaton and Henry Winkler, marked the beginning of Howard’s “official” transition from acting to directing. (Howard’s directorial debut was actually 1977’s Grand Thef t Auto, a project that he and father Rance Howard co-wrote.)

Getting a meeting with Warren Beatty required a bit more creativity. After finessing an interview to get his Warner Bros. law clerk job (as his plan was to go to law school), Grazer found himself relegated to a windowless office, tasked with filing papers and occasionally delivering documents in his company car.

One day, there was a call to deliver some papers to Beatty, who was living at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel. “I made sure I got to go on that delivery,” recalls Grazer, who turned a drop-off errand into an hour-long conversation with Beatty, who was already a huge star.

Grazer has recounted the Wasserman meeting in previous interviews, describing the manner in which the iconic Hollywood power broker gave the young law clerk a pencil and a blank pad of paper, told him to put them together, and summarily dismissed him from his office. “He was basically telling me, ‘You have no connections, you have no money, the only way you’re going to make it in this town is to create something original.’

How democratizing is that?”

From Hollywood to Why

Grazer lives in Santa Monica with his wife, Veronica. He grew up in the San Fernando Valley with a sister and brother with whom he’s still close, throwing frequent family get-togethers at the Grazer home. His father was a criminal lawyer, and his mother was a homemaker. It was a practical, no-frills lifestyle, and popular, brand-name products were verboten due to their cost. “We never had Coke, Twinkies, none of that stuff,” he says. The one family vacation he recalls was at the Town and Country Hotel in San Diego.

“I remember eating a club sandwich, thinking it was the greatest thing ever.”

Barely a “C” student while growing up, Grazer was diagnosed early on with dyslexia, which he worked to overcome. As his aca-

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he grabbed me, got me in a headlock, started beating me up, and I somehow flipped it.”

Proceeding to thrash the bully, Grazer suddenly enjoyed mythic, Robin Hood–esque status at the school.

Sinek awakened in Grazer an epiphany: His why—the element that drives him—is that he despises bullies. “You win as an underdog,” Sinek told him. It’s a revelation that can be traced back through much of Grazer’s work, from Splash to the Oscar-winning A Beautiful Mind about mathematician John Nash, who struggled for years with schizophrenia.

Imagining Impact

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During the Cannes Film Festival in May, Grazer and Ron Howard announced a new phase of their partnership: Imagine Impact, a global content accelerator program that will leverage and scale Howard and Grazer’s 30 years of expertise and trial-and-error in succeeding in one of the most notoriously opaque yet most alluring industries in the world. The pilot program, Impact 1, takes place between September 10 and November 2, 2018.

Grazer says the goal of Imagine Impact is to “find and elevate fresh and original voices around the world who never would have had the opportunity to reach big audiences. If we can do that, then we are bringing valuable new stories to the world that have the potential to change and shape the way people live, think, and dream.”

Grazer continues with his “curiosity conversations,” which produced the content for his 2015 bestseller, A Curious Mind: The Secret to a Bigger Life. For these he references compelling personalities from all walks of life (from Michael Jackson to Andy Warhol to Jonas Salk to Margaret Thatcher to “my Uber driver in Paris”) who have had the ability to feed his curious mind. “I just had a fascinating meeting with the brilliant data scientist, Megan Risdal, who works for Kaggle, a company owned by Google. A couple weeks ago, I met Steven Kotler who is an expert on flow state, which I’m obsessed with right now.”

Of all people who have found success in Hollywood, Grazer recognizes the value of receiving a helping hand from impact players on the way up. That dynamic suited him early in his career and continues to hold water.

After all, in the creative, inquisitive world of Brian Grazer, it’s all about making a big splash. end

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demic struggles weighed on him, he developed a habit that would become quite strong in the ensuing years: He asked questions.

Lots of them. Incessantly. Which quickly evolved into becoming the class clown and a precocious distraction.

His treasured mentor and confidante was his Grandma Sonya, a Russian Jew from New York who came to live in LA and appreciated Grazer’s highly inquisitive nature.

“She was always encouraging me,” Grazer recalls. “She said, ‘You’re going to be special. You’re going all the way.’ There was no evidence in my report cards to support her belief,” he adds. “She thought my curiosity 66

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was a good thing, so I stuck with it.”

In 2009, Grazer heard Simon Sinek ’s TED Talk, “Start With Why,” and it had such a profound impact on him that he befriended the author and speaker. “I thought I knew my ‘why,’” Grazer says, recalling a pivotal conversation they had. Sinek asked Grazer to recall his first most vivid experience from elementary school. Grazer’s mind immediately went to a notorious bully who had been making the rounds, beating up various classmates. Grazer felt his number was coming up soon, and the foreboding feeling gradually consumed him until the day their paths finally crossed. “One day on the playground,

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Brian Grazer and Ron Howard on the set of Apollo 13 4.

Jim Lovell, Ron Howard, Brian Grazer, Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon, and Bill Paxton during filming Apollo 13

Photo Credit: Universal Pictures / Ron Batzdorff

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Turning the Answer Key

Brian Grazer ponders much and often, and in 2015 he released his first book, A Curious Mind: The Secret to a Bigger Life, which became a New York Times bestseller. The book is a collection of “curiosity conversations” that led to the creation of some of his seminal works. In January 2019, Simon & Schuster will release Eye Contact: Stories on the Power of Human Connection, a follow-up of sorts that delves deeper into these topics.

In the spirit of questioning, we asked Grazer to offer his thoughts on the following queries related to work, life, and the balance between the two.

Hollywood’s most curious mind opens up about filmmaking, success, and his passions outside of work

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On curiosity:

On how he measures success:

“Curiosity is a force. It’s an aggressive tool to assault, to challenge what we do every day.”

“I’m more comfortable being uncomfortable.

I don’t feel like I’m growing if I’m comfortable. I don’t like relaxed situations. What’s relaxing is chaos.”

“[By the] impact [on] the lives of the people I love, as well as audiences I’ve never met who are somehow moved, empowered, or uplifted by the stories we are able to share. When I’m able to entertain and evolve people into a better state of mind, that’s when I feel we did a good job. Ultimately, I’m in the feelings business!”

On the business of filmmaking:

On his passions outside of work:

On the greatest lesson the business has taught him:

“Every movie is a startup. Every television show is a startup. Every decision you make has to be excellent.”

“I love discovering new cultures and new worlds with my family. And I’m proud of the work our family does with underserved

“I learned to never do the things you don’t believe in, because when it fails, it feels terrible, and when it succeeds, it isn’t satisfying.”

On being comfortable:

CSQ SUMMER 2018

children around the world. Veronica and I took the kids to India this past January and completed a service project with WEVillage, building a school in a rural area outside of Udaipur. We always incorporate service with children as part of our trips, including Burma, Kenya, South Africa, and most recently, Israel.”

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OUR EXPERIENCE BRINGS YOU IN. OUR PEOPLE BRING YOU BACK. Since 1942, our accountants have counseled medium- and small-sized businesses with the best in accounting, tax and financial advisory. Today, we focus on the same goals: meeting our clients’ needs and exceeding their expectations.

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CONTACT US

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70 The City Suite 72 Op-Ed

by Tilman J. Fertitta 76 Going Global 79 Golf Getaway

Destinations

Part 3

Destinations - Cover Journey to French Polynesia to enjoy excellence at the over-water Brando Suites at The Intercontinental where you can dive off your terrace or experience tranquility and serenity at the beachside villas at The Brando (p.76)

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After entering into the most sought-after suites in LA and New York, boasting astonishing views, lavish perks, brilliant decor, innovative design, and an intimacy that you’ve always craved, you’ll never want to return home

Destinations - City Suite THE CITY SUITE

Decked Out

Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills Starting at $20,000 per night Perched atop the 12th floor, overlooking the stunning and diverse Los Angeles landscape, the Presidential Penthouse Suite at the Waldorf Astoria, Beverly Hills boasts Noir Saint Laurent marble throughout the apartment.

Floor-to-ceiling windows create an airy, open atmosphere and the vast private terrace, mini-gym, and personal home theater exude intimacy and privacy. The sprawling 3,215 sq. ft. of the suite coupled with the 1,459 sq. ft. of the terrace allow you to feel like you are at home, as do the fully-stocked kitchen, Bluetoothenabled surround sound system, and luxurious bedroom and bathroom amenities. waldorfastoriabeverlyhills.com

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DESTINATIONS

Mandarin Oriental Columbus Circle Starting at $19,000 per night Silk-lined walls and panoramic views of the brilliant New York City skyline encapsulate the 2,640 sq. ft. Presidential Suite at the Mandarin Oriental, New York. At the top of the 53rd floor, the suite boasts handcrafted rugs and unique artwork alongside stunning artifacts, mixing striking contemporary designs with Asian flair. The luminous brushed gold and deep red accessories accent the chocolate-brown color scheme, exuding a feeling of warmth and luxury. An oversized bath and a steam shower for two accompany the large spacious bedroom, and for the business side of things, one can enjoy the wood-panelled study. mandarinoriental.com

Destinations - City Suite

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Destinations - OpEd OP-ED

The Hotel Game Changer A singular grand vision defines The Post Oak Hotel at Uptown Houston, a New International Luxury Retreat

By Tilman J. Fertitta

TILMAN J. FERTITTA Tilman J. Fertitta is chairman and CEO of Landry’s Inc., one of the largest restaurant corporations in the world.

He also owns the NBA’s Houston Rockets.

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DESTINATIONS

In a world of cookie-cutter hotels and corporate hospitality chain mega mergers, it was time to change how people feel about what constitutes a great stay. And I wanted to be the one to do it.

I built this 10-acre development—The Post Oak Hotel at Uptown Houston—in the heart of America’s fourth-largest city to redefine what a luxury hotel experience means in the industry today.

The 38-story hotel tower boasts 250 ultra-modern guest rooms—each more than 500 square feet—and VIP suites; executive residences that can be rented on a short- or long-term basis; a two-story Rolls-Royce auto showroom; a spa, salon, and fitness center, and an elegant 35,000-sq.-ft. conference facility, including a glittering 16,000-sq.-ft. Grand Ballroom with a private entrance that now stands as the premier gathering spot for high society galas.

The demand for a luxury hotel of this caliber has existed for years in Houston. I’ve wanted to deliver a hotel like this for more than a decade, but I had to wait for the right time. When I travel around the world, I was frequently asked by my colleagues: Why is there not a luxury hotel in Houston?

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1. More than $1M went into the retransplanting of large specimen of oak trees to the new development 2. Enjoy the Houston weather while lying poolside or in your private cabana 3. Upon entrance into the hotel, one experiences a sense of modernity and elegance due to the sleek furniture, assortment of artwork, and dazzling chandelier

Destinations - OpEd THE PENTHOUSE SUITE, THE MOST OPULENT OF THEM ALL, OFFERS A TWO-STORY, 10,000-SQ.-FT. EXPANSE OF UNMATCHED LUXURY STARTING AT $100,000 PER NIGHT.

CSQ SUMMER 2018

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Meet The Post Oak Hotel at Uptown Houston

Upon entering the three-story glass lobby, guests will be mesmerized by a cascading, custom-built grand chandelier complete with 15,719 crystals, including 739 Swarovski crystal balls and 1,428 LED light sources.

The lobby, with custom Calcutta marble flooring, Ebony Woodridge stone pillars, custom fabric wall panels, a hand-tufted silk abstract rug, and works of art from Frank Stella—now dubbed the “Stella Lobby”—also provides a floor-to-ceiling view of the pool area. Other works of art from our private collection include pieces by Robert Motherwell, Alex Katz, Donald Sultan, Joseph Glasco, Friedel Dzubas, and Howard Hodgkin, which are strategically placed throughout the hotel and lend it a museum-quality feel.

Other unique features include an on-site Bentley and Bugatti dealership; a massive wine cellar with more than $3M of inventory including rare vintages dating back to the 1800s; the library’s curated collection of books from Assouline Publishing; our designer boutique 29° North with first-to-Texas brands for men’s and women’s ready-to-wear, fine jewelry, accessories, and seasonal selections; a chic salon; a luxurious spa; and a state-of-the-art

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Destinations - OpEd

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fitness center.

We are on track to receive the state’s first Forbes Five Star rating, which reflects the level of quality, service, and accommodations we provide all of our guests. Even before your arrival, our staff will contact you to ensure we have everything ready for you such as preferred room temperature, allergy notifications, and any necessary travel arrangements.

Our 5,000-sq.-ft. Presidential Suite starts at $12,000 per night and features a wraparound terrace with panoramic views of the Houston skyline, direct helipad access, private elevator access, a fitness room, a media room, a catering kitchen, large walk-in closets, and much more. This is a true retreat, designed to be more like a luxurious private residence than a hotel room. Additionally, the Penthouse suite, the most opulent of them all, offers a two-story, 10,000-sq.-ft. expanse of un74

DESTINATIONS

matched luxury starting at $100,000 per night.

We thought of every detail for the guest rooms. A standard room offers three TVs, a Nespresso coffee maker, oversized Egyptian towels, and a tablet that controls the room’s functions. One button can close the shades, while another dims the lighting. The closets include short hanging areas to accommodate men’s shirts and long hanging areas for dresses and skirts. Even the ironing boards are built in.

Our average daily rate is expected to be about $100 higher than the next highest competitor in Houston. Still, its cost per room is hundreds of dollars lower than similar hotels in New York or Los Angeles. If you want to stay here, you have to pay for it. Nobody else has a bathroom or a room like ours in Houston.

Four signature restaurants and bars on the first floor provide a wide array of dining choices, from fresh-baked pastries to haute cuisine.

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4. Gensler led the master planning for the new development, intermingling timeless features with modern furnishings 5. With a focus on fresh and locally inspired cuisine, Bloom & Bee will remind patrons of a blooming garden, from the flower-printed seats to the enchanting blown-glass flower display on the ceiling 6. Whether for a formal gala, executive board meeting, or for anything else in between, The Post Oak offers the largest ballroom in Uptown and the Galleria area 7. The marble accents of the bathroom lend a clean and sophisticated vibe 8. The guest-room hallways are adorned with oak tree–inspired designs, a nod to the hotel’s name

Destinations - OpEd

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9. The main corridor of the hotel features showrooms for RollsRoyce, Bugatti, and Bentley, allowing guests to view the latest and most immaculate automobiles available 10. Guests can make their way to the Library to enjoy private conversation while overlooking the Houston skyline 11. The Post Oak offers many differing accommodations; however, each features the signature gray, brown visuals and luxury features 12. The hotel showcases views from every floor, allowing guests to enjoy the beauty of Houston from the comfort of their own room 13. Attend a business meeting in the spacious conference room, which facilitates connecting in comfort

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The dining offerings promise such an elevated level of culinary excellence that the hotel will also attract Houstonians looking for the newest and best the city’s food scene has to offer.

The hotel’s main restaurant, Bloom & Bee, emphasizes fresh locally inspired cuisine while H Bar serves up light bites with fine spirits, exotic cocktails, and libations. Craft F&B offers pub-style fare like wood-fired pizzas, burgers, and craft brews; Bouchée Patisserie serves specialty coffee, freshly baked pastries, and Parisian-inspired indulgences.

Adjacent to the hotel are our two premier restaurants, Mastro’s Steakhouse and Willie G’s Seafood. Since opening its first Texas location in late 2017, Mastro’s has become the gathering spot for the glamorous see-and-beseen crowd. Willie G’s Seafood, a local institution, features a breathtaking array of fresh seafood on display, from whole Gold Spot

sea bass to gigantic Maine lobsters and freshshucked Gulf oysters. It also offers dining options ranging from casual and white tablecloth service to an outdoor terrace.

More Than Just Another Business Venture

This was a special project for me. There’s been a roughly three-decade gap since a hotel like this was built in Houston. The closest competitors are now older and aren’t in line with expectations of high-end hotels today. I can assure you, this hotel will never go out of style.

I look to this hotel as more of a generational property that will stay in my family forever.

That’s what I do. I’m not a seller. I’m not looking at this short-term. I’m not looking at what it’s going to make its first year; my interest is what it’s going to be worth in 25 years. end

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GOING GLOBAL

Destinations - Going Global

Going Brando in French Polynesia

To achieve globetrotter status, hop aboard a flight to Bora Bora and experience the ethereal Brando Resort on the island of Tetiaroa or the adventurous Brando Suites at the five-star Intercontinental Resort, where intimacy and privacy reign

By Brittany Fuisz

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DESTINATIONS

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Angelenos tend to feel that easy beach vacations close to home are limited to Hawaii and Mexico. More exotic places seem to take a bit more time, both time spent planning and time away. But thanks to direct flights from LAX to Papeete, French Polynesia does not need to be saved for a honeymoon or other special occasion. After just a few more hours in the air, you’ll touch down on a collection of islands with some of the most miraculous water on earth. And once you’ve packed a bag and boarded a plane, aren’t a few extra hours in flight worth it to experience somewhere utterly breathtaking?

If you’ve ever seen photos of French Polynesia, you’ve likely viewed the famed overwater bungalows that put Bora Bora on the map. Huts with steps directly into the sea are perched like luxury tree houses over light teal water that is as clear as glass. And while almost every resort in Bora Bora boasts overwater bungalows, there is only one resort that offers The Brando Suites.

After you fly to Papeete, you’ll take an additional short hop flight to Bora Bora. A boat collects you from the tiny airport and transports you directly to one of four new suites that officially debuted in December 2017 at The Intercontinental Bora Bora & Thalasso Spa. Each suite offers stunning views of wellknown Mount Otemanu, as well as gorgeous décor. Your home for the next several days will be 3,400 sq. ft. of indoor and outdoor living

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the best meals you’ll have in French Polynesia.

If you’re curious about other resorts in Bora Bora, book a private boat to the St. Regis for dinner at Jean Georges. The St. Regis is only a 10-minute boat ride from your Brando Suite. Be sure to arrive in time for sunset over Mount Otemanu, as it’s a different but equally gorgeous view of the mountain than from your suite. Champagne sabering and a lively crowd are a nice change of pace from the privacy of your room. Adding to the ocean feel, you can watch sharks circle below the restaurant’s glass bottom floor as you enjoy signature dishes crafted by the French celebrity chef.

An Island Hop, Skip, Jump Away

After spending a few nights in Bora Bora, head to Tetiaroa where the real vacation begins.

Tetiaroa is located 30 miles north of Tahiti.

An atoll composed of a dozen islands, Tetiaroa is home to a truly remarkable lagoon complete with active marine life and The Brando Resort.

Book a private transfer directly from Bora Bora to make the trip a breeze via Air Tetiaroa.

Inspired by Marlon Brando’s vision for a resort that embraces the people and ecosystem of a place, The Brando is a sustainable development and the first and only project in French Polynesia to be LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) platinum certified.

The Brando brings new meaning to the term “all-inclusive.” The phenomenal resort has 35 luxury villas, each with its own pool, beach views, and mini-bar stocked with drinks of your choosing. From one to three bedrooms, the villas are designed to reflect the Polynesian lifestyle. Wooden walls and roofs are paired with modern luxuries like a sitting room, media space, and outdoor bathtub to make sure your every desire is met.

Destinations - Going Global 4

1. In ancient times, Bora Bora was called “Pora pora mai te pora,” which means “created by the gods” in the local Tahitian dialect

space, two bedrooms, and a fabulous infinity pool over water. Floor-to-ceiling windows stretching 22 feet high allow you to savor every moment while miki miki wood and native vegetal pandan leaf roofing remind you of the natural beauty and materials of the island. The two-bedroom villas are perfect for families or couples wanting more space and privacy.

Every detail has been thoroughly thoughtout, from the built-in sound system to the large soaking tub with a picture window. Blackout curtains surround the largest bed you may ever come across and the sea is just a leap off of your balcony.

It is easy to make yourself at home at The Brando Suite, especially with all the amenities of the five-star Intercontinental at hand. Room service is available at the touch of a button and ranges from locally caught fish like the fabulous wahoo in a sweet vanilla marinade to gourmet burgers made with beef flown in every week from France.

If you feel like exploring Bora Bora, complimentary boats are available on a daily basis to and from the main island. Plan for an unforgettable evening at La Villa Mahana.

Owned by a husband and wife team (the chef is French and his wife is Polynesian), the multi-course dinner features both local specialties and French delicacies. It was the only place in French Polynesia where we were able to taste coconut bread. Steamed in a banana leaf, warm and slightly sweet, it was quite a treat. Local tuna was barely seared in vanilla oil and served with a simple salad. Roasted beef tenderloin was excellent, served in a red wine vanilla sauce and perfectly cooked. What stood out the most was the love and passion of the family behind this establishment. Well worth the excursion, La Villa Mahana offers easily one of

2. Mount Otemanu, which serves as the stunning backdrop for The Brando Suites, is one of two extinct volcanoes on the island 3. The overwater bungalows at The Intercontinental with private infinity pools exist courtesy of the multimillion-dollar renovation that took place in 2017 4. Wake up to the glorious sound of lapping waves and sight of turquoise waters 5. The magnificent Brando Resort is just a brief flight away on the island of Tetiaroa, where one can embrace the connection between its people and surrounding environment 5 CSQ SUMMER 2018

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Destinations - Going Global

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DESTINATIONS

Polynesian Spa is dreamlike, as therapy rooms are perched like a bird’s nest over the ponds, plentiful with lotus blossoms. A tea lounge, yoga room, and steam baths make this an allday destination spa.

After relaxing at the spa, spend time at the tennis court or fitness center or take an afternoon nap on your deck in the ocean breeze.

Before dinner take advantage of one of the many ocean sports available from paddle boarding to kayaking, snorkeling to sailing. Return just in time for sunset drinks at Bob’s Bar. Culminate your day with dinner at the fine dining restaurant Les Mutinés. Supervised by Guy Martin of Le Grand Véfour in Paris, many of the dishes available at The Brando are exact replicas of what Chef Martin is serving in Paris. If you’re looking for something in particular, the staff is more than happy to accommodate any requests.

Ask the staff to draw a bath in your villa before you turn in for the night. Go to sleep with nothing but the sound of the ocean waves and nature on your doorstep, knowing you’ll get to wake up and do it all over again the next day.

The hardest part will be heading back home, but The Brando even makes that easier by giving you warm chocolate chip cookies as you say your goodbyes. end

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6. Enjoy The Brando’s infinity pool with views of the cerulean sea and its abundant sea life

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7. A villa at The Brando during the magic of twilight 8. Each villa at The Brando offers you the choice of a dip in your own private pool or a swim in the sea

Photo Credit: The Brando

Enjoying a world-class spa, two restaurants, live music, a pearl shop, and a boutique are just a few of the ways to keep yourself busy at this heavenly paradise. Each morning starts with breakfast either in your villa or in one of the restaurants. Fresh fruit, smoothies, eggs, and handmade pastries were delivered poolside to our villa as we settled in with our coffee along with tea and honey gathered by the island beekeeper. A stroll along South Mermaid Bay was a lovely way to watch the marine life awaken in the atoll. Reef sharks are friendly and fast, while the array of fish is vast.

Sign up for one of the many activities offered mid-morning, from a wildlife tour to a workout. Gain real-world skills like peeling a coconut—which, as it turns out, is much harder than it looks. See tons of species of wildlife, many of which are native to the island. Depending on the time of year, you may be able to catch the hatching of turtles. Or tour one of the resort’s many energy-saving technologies, such as the air conditioning system, which uses sea water drawn from deep within the ocean both to cool the resort and create drinking water. After learning more about the island with one of the local guides, head back to your villa for lunch and a dip in your pool.

Villas come with one massage per day so be sure to make good use of it. The Varua

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on the track, given its intimidating tee shot with trees on both sides and severe uphill climb to an undulating table top green. The following hole is one of the most picturesque on the course. This severely elevated tee shot overlooks the gorgeous valley and mountains with a water hazard short right and a bunker guarding the left side of the green. At just under 200 yards, you will need to focus and make a great swing to reach the putting surface in regulation.

Holes 10 through 12 are secluded away from the resort and clubhouse. After a short drive through a tunnel, you arrive at the 10th tee, where it appears as if you just entered a rainforest in light of the mammoth trees and mountains surrounding these serene holes.

Although not intimidatingly long, Quail Lodge will require even the best golfers to bring their shot-making skills to navigate around this brilliant track.

With five sets of tees, Quail can accommodate all levels of players. But no matter your skill level, you will want to have your camera within reach to capture the sublime beauty of the course and its surroundings.

A peaceful and tranquil lodge with stunning views of the scenic Santa Lucia Mountains GOLF GETAWAY

California’s Golden Secret

Superior golf on the Monterey Peninsula beyond Pebble Beach

When contemplating a golf getaway to the Monterey Peninsula, your first thought will almost always be the esteemed Pebble Beach.

However, located less than 10 miles inland from Pebble is one of the best kept secrets in all of California. Set on a breathtaking 850 acres against an unparalleled backdrop of the Santa Lucia Mountains, Quail Lodge is a premier secluded lodge with a spectacular 18-hole championship golf course located in Carmel.

Winner of a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence, Quail Lodge opened its doors in 1964.

Weaving through the foothills of the Santa Lucia Mountains, the golf course was originally designed by Robert Muir Graves in 1964 and more recently refined in 2015 by Todd Eckenrode. The par 71 course stretches to just under 6,500 yards from the farthest set of tees. The course conditions are on a level only the finest courses in the world are kept.

For the second consecutive year, Quail Lodge recently received the yearly award for “Best Playing Conditions” by GreensKeeper.org.

The traditional tree-lined course design features a fantastic layout; each hole has its own unique character. Golfers will be challenged to a solid test of their game with plenty of water hazards, bunkers, natural waste areas, and elevation changes that keep the round exciting and fun. The impeccable conditions, along with the exotic mix of plants, flowers, trees, and wildlife surrounding the course, might distract you from your game.

The par 4 4th hole is among the toughest

Although the immaculate golf course is the focal point of this resort, the peaceful lodge is rounded out by a year-round heated outdoor pool, tennis courts, gym, bocce ball court, nine-hole putting course, and fabulous cuisine.

With a range of hikes and full-scale wineries just a short drive away, there is something for everybody at Quail Lodge. Located just off the main lobby there is a casual bar and restaurant with a cozy fireplace that features a back deck overlooking a quaint pond, a peaceful spot to enjoy a bite to eat and a cocktail. Throughout the resort there are spiraling walkways that are all beautifully landscaped, leading to the 90 well-appointed guest rooms. Each room is complete with modern furnishings, sleek wooden accents, and state-of-the-art technology. With their chic decor and private decks or patios, you are sure to be comfortable and feel right at home in your guest room.

Destinations - Golf Getaway

Nestled in Carmel along the Monterey Peninsula, the awardwinning Quail Lodge offers spectacular views from any vantage point, whether on the golf course or at the resort By Ryan Byers

CSQ SUMMER 2018

The perfect spot to unwind, enjoy a cocktail and a superb meal after a round on the links

Edgar’s at Quail Lodge, located just below the clubhouse, offers the freshest ingredients sourced directly from the region’s own organic farms, creating a farm-to-table dining experience. Open for lunch and dinner, Edgar’s has a wide variety of menu items ranging from flatbreads and sandwiches to steaks and seafood. Pair your delicious food with the finest local California wines, regional microbrews or classic cocktails.

One thing is for sure: once you visit Quail Lodge, you will surely be a repeat visitor to this California hidden gem. quaillodge.com

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CSQ’s C-Suite Advisors™ form

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MAKING AMAZEMENT RANDALL STONE Studio Head *māz e

C-Suite Advisors

CONSULTING Experience Innovation

CONSULTING Information Technology

an invite-only community of the most sought-after, trusted advisors and serves as a resource to qualified thought leadership and insights from the same

CSA - TOC

individuals who council the most

successful C-Suite executives and entrepreneurs in the world.

Want more thought leadership?

Visit CSQ.COM/ADVISORS to access

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WHAT YOU SEE IS NOT NECESSARILY WHAT YOU GET ARAMIS HERNANDEZ & ADAM BOHN AH: Founder & President; AB: CTO & EVP INC Technologies

FINANCE Investment Banking

our library of content, including invaluable articles and op-eds from our community of Advisors, who are experts in Accounting, Consulting, Finance, Health & Wellness, Insurance, Law, Marketing & Real Estate.

DON’T SEE YOUR ADVISOR? NOMINATE THEM TODAY AT CSQ.COM/APPLICATION

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C-SUITE ADVISORY

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WHY MARKETING SERVICES COMPANIES ARE HOT ACQUISITION CANDIDATES MIKE ROSENBERG & BRANDON QUARTARARO BQ: Senior Vice President & Head of Digital Media; MR: Senior Managing Director, Intrepid Investment Bankers

FINANCE Wealth Management

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MAXIMIZING YOUR PHILANTHROPIC IMPACT

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PUTTING RESPONSIBLE PRACTICES INTO PLAY

BRIAN WERDESHEIM Managing Director, Investments The Summa Group of Oppenheimer

CHARLIE ITTNER Managing Partner Darien Group

LEGAL Family Law

MARKETING Digital Agency

CSA - TOC

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MARKETING Branding & Communication

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TWO LEGAL EAGLES DISCUSS REPRESENTING PROFESSIONAL ATHLETES

SPORTS ADVERTISERS ARE DEMANDING MORE THAN AWARENESS AND YOU SHOULD, TOO

STACY D. PHILLIPS Certified Family Law Specialist & Partner Blank Rome LLP

MIKE SCHAFFER Founder & CEO Echo-Factory

LEGAL Mergers & Acquisitions

REAL ESTATE Tenant Representation

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PRIVATE INVESTMENTS IN LEGAL CANNABIS BUSINESSES

COACHING THROUGH NURTURANCE AND VULNERABILITY

SANDER C. ZAGZEBSKI Partner Greenspoon Marder LLP

SHAY HUGHES President & COO Hughes Marino

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INDUSTRY CONSULTING

SPECIALTY EXPERIENCE INNOVATION

MAKING AMAZEMENT

The key to entertainment in your customer experiences RANDALL STONE Studio Head *māz New York, NY e

CSA - Stone A big-picture creative thinker with expansive knowledge of consumer behaviors across industries, Randall Stone has been designing and innovating customer experiences for more than 30 years. Educated as an architect, Stone has used his deep understanding of design thinking to craft much more than spaces—flagship experiences, behaviors, and brands. Stone worked with global brands such as Samsung, BMW, Starbucks, Disney, and many more to discover new opportunities to engage consumers and uncover additional avenues for growth. He was chief experience advisor to Hyatt Hotels for almost a decade, developing five of the hospitality group’s brands and endto-end guest experiences. Currently he is head of *māz (pronounced “amaze”), an experience studio to entertainment, hospitality, retail, travel, and lifestyle brands of all sizes. e

PHONE 212/203.7637 WEBSITE emazexp.com EMAIL randall.stone@emazexp.com ADDRESS P.O. Box 825 Remsenburg, NY 11960

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C-SUITE ADVISORY

We all remember our first concert, our first professional game, and even our first visit to an amusement park. The memories of these experiences, most likely from our early youth, have stayed with us all these years. While you may be able to recount some of the details, what truly binds these events to your memories are the emotional imprints that they have made on you. In the world of entertainment, creating and branding these memories into your subconscious, forming lasting connections and pulling your emotional triggers is the primary objective.

The broad expanse of the entertainment industry has long been the bastion of creativity, originality, ingenuity, and fantasy but there are bigger learnings that can be extracted from this industry and used in creating your next generation experiences.

Today we have been seduced and subsequently conditioned by shows that are more fantastic (e.g., Cirque du Soleil), movies that are more extravagant (e.g., Black Panther), and events more spectacular (e.g., Beyoncé’s On the Run II). Learning from these can help us create brands that we want to associate with, hotels and restaurants we want to patronize, and products we want to purchase. The new experience economy is about engagement through astonish-

ment, amazement, and delight. There is a lot to the sense that something is amazing, whether a quick moment of delight in your otherwise dull day or an electrifying experience that gives you goosebumps and palpitations for an extended period of time afterwards.

These reactions can translate into a range of emotions, from gratitude to admiration to wonder and love.

Most associate this sense of wonder and awe with rare transcendental or extraordinary events—seeing a natural wonder like the Grand Canyon for the first time or visiting Disney World as a child. But even in the ubiquity of everyday life, experiences of awe are found more often than we may realize. In fact, on average, people find themselves in the presence of something that is inspiring or amazing every third day, notes psychologist Aimee Gordon.

The entertainment industry has leveraged the science of “what makes amazing.” Understanding this creates the opportunity to punctuate your brand’s story, experiences, and interactions—ranging from the grandeur of a big, memorable moment to the subtle empathy of the well-served gesture.

Let’s look at the five awe-inspiring triggers of making amazement:

QUOTE:

THERE IS A LOT TO THE SENSE THAT SOMETHING IS AMAZING, WHETHER A QUICK MOMENT OF DELIGHT IN YOUR OTHERWISE DULL DAY OR AN ELECTRIFYING EXPERIENCE THAT GIVES YOU GOOSEBUMPS AND PALPITATIONS FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME AFTERWARDS. Suspense and Surprise

Moments of anticipation build excited suspense that, when culminating in a happy surprise (the “threat”), leave people feeling joy and euphoria.

Those familiar with the Macbeth adaptation Sleep No More know how this immersive theater experience takes you across and literally through the story. The customer, guest, and product experiences need to know when to hold back, when to punctuate the suspense with an emotional climax, and when to pull back and let the audience relax. Storytelling is an essential part of building memorable experiences, so making sure your brand’s experience has a definitive arc is key to keeping them seeking more.

Beauty and Spectacular

The power of beauty can be traced throughout history, but far too often, function leads form. But why can’t we have both? The design expression of your experiences must embrace who you are and want to be but not in a timid way. Just like the spectaculars of live events, from Coachella to Cirque du Soleil, you only have a finite time to capture your audience’s attention and emotions.

The simplest idea, executed flawlessly, can be profound. From the most pedestrian products to the highest echelons of luxury, beauty dramatically affects how we feel, react, and even make selections. Yet today, beauty is highly democratized and goes far beyond the classic definition of good design. Creating beauty is in the thoughtful consideration of the senses—how something looks, smells, sounds, and makes you feel. For beauty to execute its power, it blends form and function while being disruptive, paradigm-shifting or unexpected.

CSA - Stone

Plot Twist and Intuition

When it comes to experiences, it is all about being intuitive and going far beyond expectations. The entertainment industry has taught us to expect this and we’ve all been amazed by gestures and acts of the right thing at the right time: a bottle of water waiting in a rental car, a concierge genuinely remembering you’re a regular guest and posting so other employees can acknowledge you and your preferences or logging relevant details each time you call customer service for support, so the next agent can service you accordingly.

Keep your audience customer engaged by simply listening and observing, which can leave your guests feeling like their needs are truly being met without having to ask.

virtuous. In the age of authenticity, who you are and how you act is as important as what you do or what you sell. This must also play out in your experiences and activations. So often brands speak about their integrity, commitment, and passion for guests/customers. This is often just lip service, reaffirming table-stakes that don’t pan out in the actual experience. Establishing guiding principles that are true and authentic to your brand and what you can reasonably deliver provides the litmus test against which you can evaluate your whole experience. Through this pervasive authenticity that plays out in actions and personality, an experience can achieve amazement.

Magic and the Supernatural

Supernatural elements are relatively commonplace today with the onslaught of new technologies that can digitally resurrect our beloved musicians and performers from the grave. Experiences today seemingly have no boundaries thanks to the rise of VR, augmented reality, and AI. But for a sleight of hand to have a magical effect, it needs to be meaningful and useful.

Without utility, it’s merely a gimmick that cannot change behaviors or raise expectations. For your brand, the real magic happens when those in charge of delivering, supporting, and maintaining the experience are given the tools to be more attuned, better informed, and have more facility to deliver. We expect machines to wow us, but when humans defy the expected and deliver the extraordinary, it is instantly emotional and memorable.

These triggers are not discrete levers but rather all essential to fashioning the experiences that connect with us. It is a brand’s unique orchestration that makes it its own. Amazing experiences are always retold through emotions, not their descriptions. It is these feelings such as “blown away,” “awed,” “relieved,” or “delighted” that imprint the experience into our memories. For that reason, it is important that we tell our story, craft our experience, and look at the feelings we want to evoke and the entertainment we want to encourage. end

Continuity and Virtue

Products, brands, experiences, and those "behind the curtain" must be sincere, transparent, and

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83

INDUSTRY CONSULTING

SPECIALTY INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

WHAT YOU SEE IS NOT NECESSARILY WHAT YOU GET ARAMIS HERNANDEZ Founder & President INC Technologies Burbank, CA

Getting the most vivid, real-time display on home TV for watching sports and entertainment isn’t always “a given” CSA - Hernandez

ADAM BOHN CTO & EVP INC Technologies Burbank, CA

PHONE 310/910.9044 WEBSITE inctech.net EMAIL aramis@inctech.net adam@inctech.net ADDRESS 1212 South Victory Blvd.

Burbank, CA 91502

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C-SUITE ADVISORY

Aramis Hernandez is the founder and president of INC Technologies, an award-winning Los Angeles-based IT firm that provides a wide level of managed information technology, computer networking services, implementation of commercial and home security systems, and audio/video installations. As president, Hernandez is responsible for overseeing all its divisions, implementing and managing onsite and virtual IT services to INC’s clients, which include mid-sized companies as well as high net-worth celebrities, top athletes, and C-Suite executives.

Adam Bohn is CTO & EVP for INC Technologies.

With more than 20 years of experience in all areas of managed IT, Bohn acts as the “Virtual CIO” for businesses and organizations by overseeing their business processes, services, and other areas of information technology. As vCIO, he is able to provide the benefits of an in-house CIO without the expense of a full-time employee; as their technical advisor, Bohn works hand-in-hand with IT teams and web development companies to implement successful projects.

As is customary in any electronics store, you fi nd yourself surrounded by walls fi lled with televisions, nestled side by side, streaming movies or sports in a synchronized manner.

What you may not realize is that in order for the various manufacturers to stand out, these televisions have been carefully calibrated to create interest and convince you to make a purchase. However, when you get home and plug in your new TV, the end result may not be as exciting.

Most people believe that what they are seeing on their screen is a true depiction of what is being televised. Unfortunately, that couldn’t be further from the truth. In the world of hightech video and audio entertainment systems, there are many variables that can distort the images on your television that ultimately affect the desired visual effect. The only recourse available to obtain an optimal viewing experi-

QUOTE:

FOR SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT FANS, THE CALIBRATION FACTOR IS KEY TO MAKING OR BREAKING YOUR VIEWING EXPERIENCE.

ence is to properly calibrate your new television and create specific settings for different types of content.

For sports and entertainment fans, the calibration factor is key to making or breaking your viewing experience. Sports events require a higher frame rate to depict action as more natural, smooth, and true-to-life. If your calibration setting is not adjusted accordingly, you will notice that the athletes in motion during play will appear choppy and out of sync.

Movies, on the other hand, are often filmed at 24 frames per second, compared to sports, which are televised at 60 frames per second.

Due to this dramatic shift, televisions need a different calibration for the colors to “pop” and provide visual depth. In an effort to adjust to different content, manufacturers supply consumers with various settings in order to adjust the images based on the source. Adjusting a television’s color temperature isn’t something one can do by simply looking at the screen. When it comes to color temperature, a calibrator uses a measurement device to measure and adjust the temperature of the display, so that the image doesn’t look too warm—giving the image a pink tone—or too cool, giving it a blue tone.

when installing high-end televisions as they offer granular control so each preset can be adjusted to address all environmental conditions.

What if you prefer more advanced settings?

For those of you seeking a more advanced calibration, and don’t wish to engage a certified company, you may find a calibration disc online to perform some simple calibration settings.

This disc is used on BluRay or DVD players.

As it plays, it will provide a benchmark or starting point for your settings to accurately set the calibration on your TV. Once the disc has played, you will be allowed to adjust the settings using the TV remote control and choose from the options provided to select an accurate setting for what is being displayed.

If you prefer a hands-off approach, we recommend hiring a company that can provide Image Science Foundation (ISF) calibration to physically calibrate your screen. The benefit of using this service is that it will help you get the most out of your display, taking into account several different factors such as the lighting and dimensions of the room, the type of display you are using, the age of your TV, the way your system is mounted, and the capacity of the equipment itself.

Making a simple change in calibration of your TV will not only enhance your viewing experience, it will also extend the life of your device, since your TV does not need to be used with the maximum brightness and energy on the setting scale once in your home.

As new technology emerges, INC Technologies will keep you on the bleeding edge with the latest and best options for viewing sports and entertainment. Whether you need a custom-built screening room or updated equipment for your multi-display sports bar, your outdoor TVs, or any size commercial installation, we are your premium audio visual experts. end

CSA - Hernandez What’s the best and easiest way to achieve the optimal viewing experience for sports and entertainment?

The first step is to start with the best possible equipment that is also capable of providing options that can be adjusted to handle your specific content or programming. If you don’t have the proper equipment to start with, you won’t be able to get optimal images on your screen. Although most consumers are focused on the size of the television and mainstream features, there are additional items to consider when buying a new unit. This is why an 85” TV can wildly range in price from one manufacturer to another. It should be noted that lower-end models are usually very basic, whereas higherend models offer very precise calibration capabilities for accurate tuning.

Can a non-technical viewer calibrate their own TV or do they need the help of a technical person?

Although most televisions are built with presets for movie, games, and sports, these presets don’t account for many environment variables such as lighting, room size, and viewing angles.

It is typically best to coordinate with a professional to calibrate your television to address the numerous variables and deliver the best viewing experience. This is especially prevalent

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85

INDUSTRY FINANCE

SPECIALTY INVESTMENT BANKING

WHY MARKETING SERVICES COMPANIES ARE HOT ACQUISITION CANDIDATES MIKE ROSENBERG Senior Managing Director Intrepid Investment Bankers Los Angeles, CA

Agency and marketing services companies have evolved significantly in the past three decades from a mixture of independent regional firms and global networks to a leading roster of holding companies, consulting firms, large regional and private equity-backed independents, talent agencies, and emerging technology firms. All are vying to profit from expanding brand marketing budgets by pitching value-added capabilities across traditional, digital, and experiential marketing channels. Furthermore, marketing agencies are now using a variety of methods to tell a client’s story, mixing research, strategy, and brand culture with customer experience while engaging with a customer in real-time. Brands increasingly need insight into how human behavior directly impacts purchasing decisions. In today’s digital marketing world, the M&A environment for marketing services companies continues to be vibrant.

As a founder and entrepreneur of a marketing services company, your creative eye keeps you constantly innovating in unique ways to make your clients’ brands recognizable. However, as a business owner who has contributed years of sweat and toil into building your company, the fast pace of innovation, the need to have a broad suite of services, and the requirement to be global, have made business increasingly competitive. As such, it is not surprising that the industry continues to consolidate at an ever-increasing pace. The good news is that for entrepreneurial founders who offer differentiated services, there are available opportunities to explore liquidity and merger scenarios at historically high-valuation multiples.

According to recent industry reports, 2017 was a very active year for agency M&A, with consultants, private equity firms, and other non-traditional buyers taking the lion’s share of assets—for a total of 100 agency related deals worth approximately $4.6B in total sales. While Dentsu and WPP made an impressive eight of the 100 deals, consultants like Capgemini and Accenture made the majority of investments in the space. Further, 2017 numbers hint that about half of all acquirers came from outside traditional marketing services groups, and specialist digital agencies were the most sought-after acquisitions with 163 transactions announced. Globally, there were more than 1,000 M&A deals in the marketing services sector.

Moreover, a heightened focus on optimizing marketing spend and utilizing innovative tactics has created opportunities for innovative groups to get a seat at the table with leading CMOs to assist in their campaigns. As a result, we see heightened strategic interest across agency firms that have deep-rooted service offerings in content development and experiential and brand activation as well as e-Commerce strategy and enablement.

1. Content Development. As new innovative distribution channels like Facebook and YouTube have gained momentum, marketers are increasingly looking for unique ways to combine brand messaging within captivating content. Several content agencies and viral video specialists have been increasingly sought out by large brands. Stun Creative in Los Angeles, for example, has put its content production capabilities to work on behalf of large brands such as the NFL, Dove, and Princess Cruises.

2. Experiential and Brand Activation. Millennials and believers in the YOLO movement have increased the amount of discretionary spend

CSA - Freedman BRANDON QUARTARARO Senior Vice President Head of Digital Media Intrepid Investment Bankers Los Angeles, CA Mike Rosenberg is a Founding Partner and Senior Managing Director of Intrepid Investment Bankers, a specialty investment bank that provides M&A, capital raising, and strategic advisory services to middle-market companies across various industry sectors. Rosenberg is responsible for originating and executing M&A and capital markets transactions and serves in a leadership role on the firm’s executive committee. His investment banking career spans three decades with a focus on marketing services and advertising agencies and toys and giftware.

Brandon Quartararo is a Senior Vice President and Head of Digital Media at Intrepid. With more than a decade of experience, he is focused on originating and executing mergers and acquisitions and raising capital across the digital media sector, with specific expertise spanning the content, media and entertainment, digital marketing, loyalty, and agency sectors.

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C-SUITE ADVISORY

Agency M&A Is on the Uptick as NonTraditional U.S. Buyers Lead the Charge; Strategic Interest Heightened

Sources: AdWeek, S&P Capital IQ, Gartner, and other industry reports and announcements

Opportunities abound on the new landscape of experiential commerce

PHONE 310/478.9000 WEBSITE intrepidib.com

on experiences like music festivals, sports events, and large gatherings. This change in behavior has left brands scrambling to create innovative opportunities to connect with new consumers and drive activation. Experiential specialists have combined unique experiences, brand activation, and promotional activities into events like the Coachella Music Festival, which boasts a huge following with about 125,000 participants; the Sundance Film Festival, which averages about 72,000 attendees; and SXSW Festivals, which hosts about 170,000 participants. As an example, HP, Acura, AT&T, Stella Artois, Dell, and Chase Sapphire all had experiential marketing activities at these events, all of which were managed by outside specialists such as Infinity Marketing and Giant Spoon.

3. eCommerce Strategy and Enablement.

Many large agencies have struggled to meet their clients’ demands across creative and strategic capabilities to enhance their e-Commerce efforts throughout the entire customer experience and back-end software fulfillment. Many acquirers have been looking to increase their capabilities via M&A, often straddling the system integrator segment by acquiring capabilities across SAP Hybris, Magento, and Shopify to bring an array of expertise to client projects.

4. Research and Marketing. Insight-driven businesses are rapidly becoming the powerhouses in today’s data-centric economy, and companies that can most accurately track consumer preferences and engagement have proven to be attractive acquisition targets for larger agencies. We recently advised Kelton Global, a trusted partner to Fortune 100 companies and iconic brands, on its sale to LRW, a leading research and data analytics company. Founded in 2003 by Tom Bernthal and Gareth Schweitzer, Kelton grew from a two-person office to a global consultancy with a national footprint that is often called upon to address critical customer, brand, and product needs.

Kelton uses its communications, innovation, and branding expertise to help global businesses chart new paths for growth. Notable clients like Google, Uber, Pfizer, Nike, Facebook, Harley-Davidson, and Target, to name a few, often hire Kelton to solve their companies’ most difficult challenges.

LRW sought Kelton to significantly enhance its insights, design, and innovation capabilities.

And with an ever-expanding universe of digital advertising channels and improved measurement tools across traditional channels, brands and marketers have been able to increase the accuracy of their return on investment and focus on optimizing their marketing dollars. The increased ability to measure direct impact across both digital and traditional channels has led many firms to review their agency relationships and refocus efforts.

EMAIL mrosenberg@intrepidib.com bquartararo@intrepidib.com

ADDRESS 11755 Wilshire Blvd.

22nd Floor Los Angeles, CA 90025

Some high-profile examples of these reviews include Procter & Gamble, Ford, and Unilever, which have reduced spending with certain large agency partners to eliminate ineffective marketing spend.

3. Team Retention. Potential acquirers will be keen to understand the team dynamics as well as who drives revenue and manages key client relationships. Enhanced value will be given to companies with a strong, dedicated team that has distributed key relationships and management of accounts across the organization.

Innovate and Expand Offerings or Risk Losing Clients and Brand Partners

Since the Great Recession of 2008-2009, many companies have searched for several innovative ways to improve their cross-sell through differentiated services lines while trying to adapt to the rapid rise of increased digital spend. This unique confluence of events has led many groups to expand their focus on marketing services to broaden cross-sale opportunities across the C-suite. For example, Deloitte, PwC, and Accenture have completed more than 240 deals over the past five years with the goal of leveraging their embedded financial and operational footholds into the marketing budgets of some of their clients.

In addition to these groups, select talent agencies and technology firms have sought to bolt on marketing service offerings to differentiate themselves by creating exclusive advertising opportunities or leveraging unique capabilities beyond their core offerings. This includes Endeavour’s investments in Red Interactive, Chaotic Moon, and other select businesses. While these groups have differing strategic priorities, their marketing services investments are all linked by a common theme: keeping these firms relevant and indispensable to their core clients and major brand partners.

CSA - Freedman

CSQ SUMMER 2018

Key Value Drivers

While overall valuations have continued to rise with the improved dealmaking climate, Intrepid has seen marketing services deals directly benefit from increased attention beyond the traditional holding company acquirer set. This diversity of potential buyers provides a variety of opportunities to potential entrepreneurs and partnerships that want to maintain individuality but benefit from a broader strategic platform.

Some key drivers of valuation and structure include: 1. Revenue Diversification and Client Longevity. Client and revenue diversification are key drivers for the value of marketing services businesses, with added value when clients maintain preferred vendor status, have been a long-term retained service provider, and show potential for locked in multi-period retainer business.

2. Proprietary Processes. Given the human capital nature of marketing services businesses, it is critical to highlight any proprietary processes, technology, or unique capabilities that enhance the company’s ability to gain leverage with scale.

Unite to Succeed

One of the hallmark trends of early M&A in the sector has been a cookie-cutter approach to dealmaking which is beginning to change. With the growth of new potential acquirers, alternative structures and long-term opportunities for management have emerged in a bid to attract owners to join potential marketing services consolidators. Many strategic acquirers have also begun to change the legacy tradition of having similar “sister” agencies compete against one another for the same business. By removing internal competition and moving toward shared success models, some acquirers have begun to build strategically aligned entities focused on the success of the whole and providing clients with the best of breed capabilities.

One example of a new entrant utilizing this strategy is Advantage Solutions, a business solutions provider to manufacturers and retailers, via its acquisition of Amp Agency, whose goal is to connect people and brands in meaningful ways.

As such, the “old” deal structure of half- to twothirds cash up front with an earnout based solely on an acquired business’ EBITDA may be a thing of the past. As acquirers seek to have acquired companies integrate into their systems and be partners rather than compete with their sister companies, backend payouts will be driven by the success of the total enterprise. We will likely see the issuance of stock and “profits’ interest” payouts to be more prevalent in future dealmaking.

Acquire Capabilities to Stay Relevant

Given current trends across the broad advertising sector and emergence of new pockets of acquirers, Intrepid remains bullish on the outlook for leading marketing services firms. Changing trends in content delivery, the blending of advertising with content production, and rapidly evolving consumer purchasing behavior will demand that marketing services providers continue to innovate or acquire the capabilities that will keep them relevant to major brand clients. We believe that marketing services will remain a vibrant sector given the focus on new marketing channel opportunities for brands and the increasing need for innovative and verifiable ROI on advertising spend—these capabilities will need to be bought, not built. end

87

INDUSTRY FINANCE

SPECIALTY WEALTH MANAGEMENT

MAXIMIZING YOUR PHILANTHROPIC IMPACT

Create the structure needed to transform and execute your vision and legacy

BRIAN WERDESHEIM Managing Director–Investments The Summa Group of Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. Los Angeles, CA

CSA - Werdesheim Brian Werdesheim is a founding member of The Summa Group of Oppenheimer & Co. Inc., a private client financial advisory team that provides wealth management services for affluent individuals and families, as well as owners and executives of private and public companies, family estates, charitable entities, and some of the top tax and legal professionals who serve the business, athletic, and entertainment communities. Werdesheim graduated from the University of Southern California with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. He also attended the University of California, Santa Barbara, and Richmond College in London, England. Werdesheim lives in Studio City with his wife and their daughter and son. In his off time, he enjoys travel, golf, running, and participating in other outdoor activities.

PHONE 310/446.7133 WEBSITE opco.com EMAIL brian.werdesheim@opco.com ADDRESS 10880 Wilshire Blvd.

24th Floor Los Angeles, CA 90024

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C-SUITE ADVISORY

The ability of elite financial advisors to deliver timely, high-quality, and actionable guidance with regard to all aspects of a family’s wealth management agenda is what often distinguishes them from the pack of advisors who operate with a more narrow focus.

We recognize the importance our clients place on investing their philanthropic dollars.

The time spent deciding these matters, within their overall financial strategy, is important to them. We often advise clients on the portion of their wealth that can be allocated to philanthropic giving, yet we have been fairly hands off when it comes to directing where our clients give their time and money. Traditionally, clients identify with several types of recipients: an alma mater, friends’ or colleagues’ nonprofits, organizations addressing specific and meaningful programmatic areas, or their own charitable organizations, such as family foundations used to grant funds.

With more than 1.8 million active nonprofits in the U.S., finding the right grantee and doing the due diligence of the charitable and financial standing of each takes time, knowledge, and expertise. The process typically includes examining an organization both internally with their staff and board as well as externally with the IRS. Ad-

ditionally, setting up a traditional foundation requires an extensive amount of administration to handle the legal, tax, and financial management, let alone identifying and selecting recipients of quality. This landscape had not changed for much of the last 30 years—until recently.

The rapid growth of donor-advised funds (DAFs) over the past few years, and the rise of “impact investing” in social enterprises and funds, has given donors a whole new set of options when it comes to thinking strategically about their charitable contributions. We see an important new role in helping our clients navigate these options, identifying the most beneficial and effective vehicles for their family and financial situation.

As lifelong partners to our clients and their families, we discuss an array of needs, work with their trusted advisors, and develop a plan for education, healthcare, and retirement. Now we are adding philanthropy to that list to bring structure, education, and guidance as they navigate the rapidly evolving dynamics of charitable giving.

In response to our clients’ needs, and to educate ourselves on the current landscape, we have begun to work with Leah Bernthal, an experienced nonprofit executive and philanthropic strategist in Los Angeles. Together, we

QUOTE:

THINK OF A DONOR-ADVISED FUND AS A CHARITABLE INVESTMENT ACCOUNT. YOU CONTRIBUTE ANY AMOUNT— FROM THOUSANDS TO MILLIONS—AND RECEIVE AN IMMEDIATE TAX DEDUCTION. YOUR FUNDS ARE THEN INVESTED FOR TAX-EXEMPT GROWTH TO HELP INCREASE YOUR LONG-TERM PHILANTHROPIC DOLLARS. maintain a foundation works well for some individuals—it provides a sense of ownership, purpose, and true connection to a specific mission and grantees. But the ongoing administrative requirements and overwhelming number of nonprofit organizations can be a daunting deterrent for other potential donors,” explains Bernthal.

“Contributions to donor-advised funds (DAFs) have surged since 2012 because they offer individuals a turnkey, tax-advantaged, tech-savvy alternative to setting up a traditional foundation.

DAFs are very attractive to the modern donor and are changing the face of philanthropy.”

Think of a donor-advised fund as a charitable investment account. You contribute any amount—from thousands to millions—and receive an immediate tax deduction. Your funds are then invested for tax-exempt growth to help increase your long-term philanthropic dollars.

You have complete control over where and when those funds are distributed to nonprofit organizations, allowing for time to understand philanthropic priorities, research grantees, and modify giving, to align with your interests and financial situation at each stage of life. DAFs accept a wide variety of assets including cash, stock or mutual fund shares, cash equivalents, private equity and hedge fund interests, real estate, art and certain complex assets (such as privately held C-corp or S-corp shares) which provides the flexibility to truly customize your contributions over time.

DAFs are a convenient, tax-advantaged platform to kick-start your philanthropic plans.

Additionally, we are beginning to encourage our clients to think beyond charitable donations and to consider impact investments as part of their philanthropic portfolio. Impact investments are opportunities that help create social and environmental change, fuel innovative and often tech-driven solutions to global challenges, with the goal of producing financial returns.

A recent study by the Global Impact Investing Network reported that the rising pool of impact investing assets is nearly $114B in assets under management.

The Summa Group of Oppenheimer & Co. Inc., and other leading wealth management teams, often find that their clients are so busy with work and families, and so talented at what they do—especially in sports and entertainment—that we have become a trusted resource to help them identify worthy charitable giving vehicles for their needs and priorities. We are also a sounding board for discussions and decisions relating to recipients. This has not traditionally been a skill set housed in a private wealth management firm, but it has led us to begin thinking about our clients’ philanthropic portfolio in

much the same way that we think about their financial portfolio—where and how to “invest” dollars to help achieve the most impact in the social areas they want to influence and see change.

There are many similarities when looking at the due diligence performed on money managers and non-profits. We apply both a qualitative and quantitative evaluation effort when analyzing the merits of an investment strategy, and the same can be said about evaluating the nonprofit world.

“In order to design a strategic and impactful philanthropic strategy, it is important to understand each client’s story, values, and goals—the issues that move them to action, the communities that they want to impact, the time they want to commit, the legacy they want to leave,” says Bernthal. “What do they and their family want to see accomplished in 10, 20, 30 years? They should be able to look back on the philanthropic dollars they have invested and the time they have volunteered and clearly see how they have made a difference.” Leah can add a whole new dimension to our conversations and relationships with our most important clients. Being able to have a high level and highly educational conversation with the parents, kids and sometimes even the grandkids about their legacy, and how best to make an impact, is very rewarding for everyone involved.

People who have reached the pinnacle of success in the world of entertainment and professional sports have gotten there for a reason.

Focus, grit, talent and sacrifice have been the cornerstones of their achievement, and therefore their attention has not necessarily been on philanthropy and giving. Success in attaining long term financial independence and security is often a function of the strength of their legal, tax and financial advisory relationships. Top advisory teams like The Summa Group work in concert with a family’s most trusted advisors to help bring order and discipline to all aspects of their financial and philanthropic objectives.

We are beginning to delve into these issues with our clients to help develop a strategy for their giving, and to measure the impact of their philanthropic portfolios. We are excited to be paving the way for the next generation of generous individuals to use their wealth for the greater good. end

CSA - Werdesheim are working to address the varied needs, abilities, and goals of those who are charitably inclined, who don’t have the comprehensive knowledge, time, and/or ability to implement their desired intentions.

Charitable conversations usually come up when there has been a financial windfall—athletes who have signed a new contract, writers who have sold a script, actors who have secured a TV series, founders who have sold their company, or families coming into an inheritance. The sudden influx of dollars not only requires much planning but also leads to questions about charitable donations and tax deductions. Many high-profile athletes and entertainers start a foundation to channel funds and awareness toward a specific mission close to their heart while simultaneously generating positive PR and media. This is a great option for clients with these dual goals. We also see many clients establish family foundations at this time—setting up a vehicle for their values and funds to support impactful nonprofits for generations to come. However, as mentioned above, foundations require a high level of oversight and administration, as well as knowledge about charitable organizations that align with mission and funding goals.

“The level of engagement to establish and

CSQ SUMMER 2018

©2018 Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. Transacts Business on all Principal Exchanges and Member SIPC. Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. does not provide legal or tax advice.

89

INDUSTRY LEGAL

SPECIALTY FAMILY LAW

TWO LEGAL EAGLES DISCUSS REPRESENTING PROFESSIONAL ATHLETES STACY D. PHILLIPS Certified Family Law Specialist & Partner Blank Rome LLP Los Angeles, CA

Stacy D. Phillips represents a wide variety of highnet-worth clients as they undergo the significant and often difficult transitions involved in divorce and custody matters. Over her 30-year career, Ms. Phillips has become known for her adept negotiation and highly personalized advocacy. A hallmark of her reputation is that she truly listens to her clients’ needs, concerns, and fears, always with the highest level of discretion. Ms. Phillips is fond of saying that “how we treat others, how we conduct ourselves, and how we communicate during difficult times, can alter the course of our lives and the lives of those around us.” Whether through litigation or alternative dispute resolution such as mediation, Ms. Phillips and her colleagues in the Blank Rome Matrimonial and Family Law Practice Group continuously seek innovative and compassionate solutions to achieve notable results for their clients. A graduate of Dartmouth College and Columbia University School of Law, she assisted in the drafting of California Senate Bill 924, which extended the limitations period for victims of domestic violence to sue their abusers in civil court.

Ms. Phillips resides in Beverly Hills and is the proud mother of two grown children.

PHONE 424/239.3400 WEBSITE blankrome.com EMAIL sdpdissoqueen@blankrome.com ADDRESS 2029 Century Park East Los Angeles, CA 90067

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C-SUITE ADVISORY

An in-depth conversation about what it means to represent top players on the field, on the court, or in the arena For the past two years, I have enjoyed sharing with you my perspectives on many aspects of family law as they relate to high-net-worth individuals. In this advisory, I want to give you a bird’s-eye view into a conversation I had recently with nationally renowned sports law attorney Jay K. Reisinger, partner at Farrell & Reisinger LLC in Pittsburgh, PA. Jay’s practice focuses primarily on sports law, white collar criminal defense, and complex litigation. It turns out that our areas of legal specialty intersect frequently, as divorce and custody issues present thorny challenges when professional athletes are our clients.

CSA - Phillips

Stacy D. Phillips Jay, how are professional

athletes different from C-suite executives in the work you do?

Jay K. Reisinger First and foremost, pro ath-

letes (whether in baseball, hockey, basketball, or football) have exceedingly short earning spans.

Unlike top executives whose careers can move upward and outward for many lucrative years, the majority of players make significant dollars for just six to eight years. Not surprisingly, the average pro football player’s career lasts no more than two years.

SDP So when a divorce happens during those

peak earning years, child and spousal support agreements are negotiated accordingly. When that income stops at the end of the athlete’s career, sometimes prematurely due to injury or

QUOTE:

UNLIKE TOP EXECUTIVES WHOSE CAREERS CAN MOVE UPWARD AND OUTWARD FOR MANY LUCRATIVE YEARS, THE MAJORITY OF PLAYERS MAKE SIGNIFICANT DOLLARS FOR JUST SIX TO EIGHT YEARS. other factors, it can wreak havoc for everyone involved.

JKR Exactly. I’m sure you’ve faced that situation

many times with your clients. Even more challenging can be the fact that the majority of pro athletes are traded frequently. Some might even play for as many as four teams in one year. That affects custody and visitation arrangements in a big way.

SDP I do see that with my celebrity clients whose

projects sometimes require them to be away on location for months at a time. The unpredictability of their schedules, whether they are an actor or an MLB player, means that their children don’t have the structure they need so they can depend on seeing their parent.

JKR As an advisor, I have to recognize that this is

sometimes out of their control. For example, their team might make the play-offs, which throws a monkey wrench into their planned time with their child. Are they entitled to “make up time?”

What effect does that have on the child’s life?

CSA - Phillips

SDP There’s a lot to consider—the age of the

Jay K. Reisinger is a partner at Farrell & Reisinger, LLC and manages the firm’s sports law practice.

His practice focuses primarily on sports law, white-collar criminal defense, and complex civil litigation.

Reisinger represents professional athletes and certified agents in salary arbitration proceedings, contract analysis, and negotiation strategy. He has also represented numerous athletes in performance enhancing substance/drug appeals and other disciplinary matters in MLB, the NFL, the NHL, and the NBA. Additionally, he represents both players and agents in fee dispute matters.

Reisinger also represents NCAA and other amateur athletes in eligibility and related matters, as well as coaches in contractual matters in both MLB and the NHL. He received his J.D. from Ohio Northern University School of Law in 1996, where he was a member of the Order of the Barristers, and his B.A. from Allegheny College in 1991. Reisinger may be reached at 412.894.1380 or at jreisinger@farrellreisinger.com.

CSQ SUMMER 2018

children, their own school schedules and normal routines, the amount of time that each parent spends with the children, where that time is spent—all are factors that impact custody agreements. Although the implications for everyone involved can be complex, we often turn to annual renegotiations depending on the parents’ professional demands. But, let’s be frank about today’s world: even with an intact couple where one or both are high-powered professionals, parents often feel they don’t have enough regular family time.

JKR That’s right. And what about the wrinkle

of international custody? It’s common for me to represent a foreign-born MLB or hockey player with an American ex-spouse or ex-paramour, where my client might want to take their child to, say, the Dominican Republic for the Christmas holidays. Taking minor children of divorce out of the United States isn’t something anyone should take lightly. This isn’t as typical in divorces outside the sports and entertainment world.

of locations and jurisdictions where the athlete has played and/or owns homes. High-earning athletes make attractive targets for these cases.

JKR Unfortunately, Stacy, that is all too true. And

the other sad reality we deal with is domestic violence.

SDP I do a lot of work in that area.

JKR Things are changing pretty quickly. The National Football League and Major League Baseball now have and enforce conduct policies that didn’t exist even four years ago. I’ve seen a significant increase in domestic violence cases in MLB over the past 18 months. Baseball may not be at the forefront of social change, but it does slowly trickle down into professional sports.

And I think that baseball will take an even harder stance as these cases develop.

SDP Do you agree that the #MeToo movement

has contributed to the rise in the number of these incidents being reported?

JKR I do, and that’s a very good thing. In these

situations, I would always advise a woman to call the police. But, the reality is that where professional athletes are concerned, the victim—if she is the wife or mother of the player’s child—has a hard choice to make. If she reports the incident and the player is disciplined, the income could stop. MLB will also most certainly launch an investigation, and suspensions can cost millions of dollars. The bottom line is that owners, leagues, and the players’ unions all need to do better to educate pro athletes about domestic violence. In this 24/7 news cycle, it becomes more important every day to think twice before acting. The repercussions are such that this behavior can be career-ending. end

SDP Since you mentioned paramours, at this

point I have to bring up the fact that, in my experience, pro athletes tend to have more paternity cases brought against them than my average high-net-worth clients. Sometimes, over an athlete’s career, there are multiple cases involving different women and children living in a variety

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INDUSTRY LEGAL

SPECIALTY MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS

PRIVATE INVESTMENTS IN LEGAL CANNABIS BUSINESSES Is it finally safe to invest in cannabis?

SANDER C. ZAGZEBSKI Partner Greenspoon Marder LLP Los Angeles, CA

CSA - Zagzebski

Sander Zagzebski is a corporate partner with Greenspoon Marder in Los Angeles, CA. Zagzebski has broad experience as a transactional corporate/securities lawyer and represents clients in mergers, acquisitions, dispositions, and other change-of-control transactions; joint ventures and strategic alliances; capital raising transactions (offerings of debt and equity securities, including private equity investments and venture capital investments); restructuring and recapitalizations; structured finance transactions; private equity and venture capital fund formation and governance; and general corporate, partnership and LLC matters. Zagzebski has represented technology and new media companies, investment advisors, aerospace and defense companies, bank holding, manufacturing, real estate, entertainment, and consumer product companies in M&A, capital raising and other strategic corporate transactions ranging in size from under $10M to in excess of $1B.

PHONE 310/529.1815 WEBSITE gmlaw.com EMAIL sander.zagzebski@gmlaw.com ADDRESS 1875 Century Park East, Suite 1850 Los Angeles, CA 90067

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C-SUITE ADVISORY

If you haven’t been living under a rock for the last several years, chances are you’ve been presented with one or more opportunities to invest in a cannabis business. As more jurisdictions legalize some form of cannabis use, it is hard to think of any other industry (with the arguable exception of bitcoin and crypto tokens) that has recently generated as much excitement and attention. Yet while projections may look good on paper, many investors don’t know where to start when evaluating a specific potential cannabis investment.

The following is a list of considerations that every budding cannabis investor should understand before deciding to make a private equity or debt investment in a cannabis venture.

Cannabis investing remains high risk.

Given the legal and tax uncertainties, the speed at which the regulatory landscape is evolving, the significant capital that will likely be required, the highly competitive nature of the industry, and the challenges involved in rapidly scaling operations, private investments in cannabis businesses should be considered as high risk as any other investment with the potential for a high reward. Just as angel and venture capital investors understand they risk significant if not total loss of their investments in their search for the next technology “unicorn,” cannabis investors should appreciate the downside risks inherent in

each specific cannabis venture notwithstanding the overall growth projected for the industry as a whole.

Marijuana is still illegal under U.S. federal law.

The importance of this issue cannot be overstated. Marijuana remains a Schedule I drug under the federal Controlled Substances Act of 1970.

Its cultivation, manufacturing, distribution, sale, possession, and use is a violation of federal criminal law. Until recently, cannabis investors took limited comfort in a series of published memoranda from the Department of Justice, including an August 29, 2013 memorandum from James M. Cole, then Deputy Attorney General, addressed to federal prosecutors, which set forth explicit federal enforcement priorities and urged prosecutors to defer to state law and state enforcement—hence allowing, if only indirectly, state legalization—in cases that didn’t implicate those specific federal enforcement priorities.

On January 4, 2018, the U.S. Justice Department announced that Attorney General Jeff Sessions had determined that the previous published guidance, including the above-mentioned “Cole Memo,” was unnecessary and was “rescinded, effective immediately.” So, although President Trump was recently quoted as supporting an end to the federal ban on marijuana

QUOTE:

FINANCIAL INVESTORS SHOULD DEVELOP BOTH AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY ON A MACRO LEVEL AS WELL AS AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE APPLICABLE TARGET CANNABIS COMPANY’S BUSINESS ON A MICRO LEVEL TO MAKE A FULLY INFORMED INVESTMENT DECISION.

and federal prosecutors do not appear to have significantly changed their attitudes toward legal cannabis ventures since, cannabis investors no longer have clear legal guidance at the federal level to give them comfort that making an investment in a cannabis venture that is compliant with applicable state law will not result in a federal penalty or prosecution.

corporate structures of most cannabis ventures are rather complex. It is not unusual in connection with a cannabis investment to be presented with an organizational chart showing a number of subsidiary entities or affiliated entities, some of which hold cannabis licenses and others of which are unlicensed and intended to operate unregulated aspects of the business. It is important in any cannabis investment to understand what business operations each entity on the organization chart is handling, how that entity is owned and controlled, what contracts and other deals that entity has or will have with the other entities on the org chart, what other obligations or liabilities each entity will have both to other entities on the org chart as well as to third parties, and generally how money and product will flow through the various entities on the org chart.

the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for their brands and related marks because federal trademark protection is contingent upon the lawful use of the applicable trademark in commerce.

Accordingly, a cannabis business that relies on customer brand identification will need an IP strategy that doesn’t involve federal trademark protection, such as state level protection as well as common law protections.

In addition, many cannabis companies have sought to leverage celebrity endorsements and related celebrity branding to set themselves out from the cannabis product crowd. A potential investor should review all agreements relating to that celebrity’s endorsement or branding relationship, particularly if the continued participation and marketing of its products is a key assumption in the company’s projections.

Knowing and trusting the founders and key management is particularly important in a cannabis business.

Cannabis businesses continue to have significant difficulty with banking.

Confirming regulatory compliance (past and present) is both important and challenging.

The cultivation, manufacturing, distribution, and sale of cannabis products is regulated by state and local law, yet the rules and regulations governing those activities varies significantly depending on the jurisdiction and in some cases remains a work in process. Investors are well advised to understand the licensing and other regulatory requirements of the cannabis business into which they are seeking to invest. Investors should confirm the appropriate legal entity is holding the type of license that is applicable to that entity’s business, and investors should seek also to thoroughly understand the operational history of the business.

The background, relationships, and skill sets of founders and key management personnel are of significant importance to all growth businesses, because so much depends on the industry know-how, connections, and experience of those companies’ key people. In cannabis businesses, the founders and key management are arguably even more important because those individuals are often listed as responsible parties under the cannabis company’s licenses. Accordingly, a cannabis investor should get to know all of the cannabis company’s founders, major investors, key managers, and operators.

Banking institutions are generally licensed and regulated at the federal level, and federally regulated financial institutions fear fines and other regulatory action if they provide banking services to cannabis businesses. Accordingly, most banking institutions shy away from doing business with cannabis companies. Lack of access to the banking system remains a significant operational challenge for many cannabis companies.

Although not an exhaustive list, the issues described above should give financial cannabis investors a perspective on key issues to begin to speak with confidence to the promoters of specific cannabis investment opportunities. Indeed, cannabis investing is not much different than investing in any other high growth industry or sector. Financial investors should develop both an understanding of the cannabis industry on a macro (state) level as well as an understanding of the applicable target cannabis company’s business on a micro level to make a fully informed investment decision. end

CSA - Zagzebski

Understand the ramifications of Internal Revenue Code Section 280E and the company’s approach to 280E.

Section 280E of the Internal Revenue Code prohibits cannabis businesses from taking ordinary business deductions in preparing their federal income tax returns. This is extremely important to understand, because 280E can result in an extremely high effective federal tax rate on the actual net profits of the business. It also creates additional audit risk for cannabis businesses that may have taken an aggressive approach to managing their 280E exposure.

While cannabis businesses are not permitted to take ordinary business deductions, they are allowed to deduct (or adjust for) the costs of goods sold. So, a 280E analysis from an investor’s perspective involves analyzing the company’s treatment of certain expenses as non-deductible ordinary business expenses versus costs of goods sold, and investors should make sure that the company’s management is seeking advice from qualified tax professionals in connection with 280E compliance.

Cannabis businesses are often complex webs of related party entities and transactions.

For a variety of legitimate reasons relating to licensing, financing, geography (multiple state operations), 280E compliance and the like, the

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Pay attention to the real estate.

Cannabis licenses are typically tied to leased or owned real estate, so investors should understand the licensed entity’s real estate rights. Many licensed parcels are encumbered by a mortgage or deed of trust. Other license holders only lease or sublease the specific parcel of real estate that is subject to their license. Accordingly, there is often some risk that a cannabis company may lose its license and its right to operate as a result of a foreclosure on a lien or the termination of a lease or sublease.

Understand the target company’s IP strategy, including the details of any celebrity endorsement or branding deals.

Many cannabis businesses drive significant value from their intellectual property, but their strategy for protecting IP must take into account that marijuana remains illegal under federal law. Cannabis businesses generally are unable to secure federal trademark protection from

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INDUSTRY MARKETING

SPECIALTY BRANDING & COMMUNICATION

PUTTING RESPONSIBLE PRACTICES INTO PLAY CHARLIE ITTNER Managing Partner Darien Group Los Angeles, CA

Evaluating ESG— environment, social, government—is necessary for business today CSA - Ittner

Charlie Ittner is the Founder and Managing Partner of Darien Group, a provider of communications and branding services to the financial services sector that specializes in private equity and real estate management. He has 15 years of experience in investment management marketing. Ittner began his career at Platinum Equity, serving for eight years as a chief lieutenant to the Founder and CEO and co-managing the firm’s internal and external communications programs, including marketing and branding, business development, investor relations, and media relations. He has also served as Director of Investor Relations for bkm Capital Partners and consulted for U.S. and international private equity and real estate investment firms to improve their brand platforms. Ittner holds an M.B.A. from the UCLA Anderson School of Management and a B.A. in English Literature from Pomona College. He lives in Beverly Hills with his dog, Saoirse.

PHONE 310/247.1050 WEBSITE dariengroup.com EMAIL charlie@dariengroup.com

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C-SUITE ADVISORY

In recent years, ESG has become a popular topic of conversation in the corporate and investment worlds, and it is becoming increasingly difficult for companies to deny the benefits of incorporating Environmental, Social, and Governance criteria into their business practices. Although previous beliefs posited that ESG considerations related only to societal and ethical issues, forward-thinking companies have discovered that ESG values also impact a company’s finances, reputation, and long-term growth. Furthermore, using ESG criteria is not only morally beneficial, it is also now a factor in institutional and highnet worth investors’ allocation decisions.

Universal ESG standards exist to evaluate companies’ operations. The first letter in the acronym, E, considers how a company interacts with the physical environment. The second stands for social, examining how a company manages relations with its employees, suppliers, customers, and their communities. Governance, the third letter, contemplates and reviews a company’s leadership, executive pay, audits, internal controls, and shareholder rights.

Broadly speaking, investors have been put-

ting more emphasis on identifying opportunities with firms that engage in sustainable practices and demonstrate conscientious behavior, both within their own walls and in the communities in which their investments have real, tangible impacts. Although there have been some mixed attitudes regarding the long-term impact of ESG standards in business practices, it is increasingly obvious that monitoring and policies around sustainability and corporate responsibility are no longer viewed as optional for businesses but should instead be regarded as a necessity.

Shifting Positions Around ESG

Data from the 2018 survey conducted by the Morgan Stanley Institute for Sustainable Investing reveals that sustainable investing is gaining an increasing amount of value and recognition among businesses, investors, and institutional asset owners. The study shows that globally, more than $22.8 trillion is now sustainably invested, a sum that represents 25% of dollars under professional management.1 The 2018 Morgan Stanley survey polled 118 public and corporate pensions, endowments,

QUOTE:

DATA SHOWED THAT APPROXIMATELY 84% OF COMPANIES ARE NOW PURSUING ESG INTEGRATION IN THEIR BUSINESS ACTIVITIES, WHILE 60% HAVE BEEN DOING SO FOR THE PAST FOUR YEARS.

foundations, sovereign wealth entities, insurance companies, and other large asset owners worldwide, gathering insights about trends, motivations, challenges, and implementation approaches in sustainable investing.

Data showed that approximately 84% of companies are now pursuing ESG integration in their business activities, while 60% have been doing so for the past four years. Numbers like these highlight the increasing popularity of corporate responsibility and conscientiousness, with increasingly more companies acknowledging the benefits of implementing ESG practices into everyday processes.

Although the survey responses do reveal a gap between interest and implementation, these results show vast improvement in the value businesses now place on ESG practices. Sustainable investing was previously perceived as a niche investment idea but now receives credit for having positive effects on factors such as risk avoidance and company growth.

Recent trends show that corporations are also becoming more transparent about their ESG practices. Practices such as annual ESG or corporate social responsibility reporting create an advantage for asset managers who are able to capitalize on current opportunities, such as using above-market ESG performance among

portfolio holdings as a selling point to potential investors.

Since 2011, dedicated ESG disclosures in the corporate world have grown at an exponential rate. From 2011-2015, ESG reporting among S&P 500 companies increased by values of 20%, 53%, 72%, 75%, and 81%, respectively.2 These figures testify to the fact that corporations face mounting pressures from institutional shareholders and the general public on ESG issues, such as corruption and environmental sustainability.

By investing in companies with strong ESG principles, investors avoid the risk of suffering related losses. Examples of this are BP’s 2010 oil spill and Volkswagen’s 2015 emissions scandal, both of which negatively impacted the firms’ stock prices and resulted in billions of dollars in market capitalization declines. Instances such as these strongly suggest incorporating sustainable business practices not only helps improve long-term performance but also mitigates risk and positively shapes brand and reputation.

The Newest, Most Valuable Player for Companies

Sustainability in Action

Although ESG criteria is often considered to hold ethical or social responsibility values, it is becoming clear that companies with stronger employee relations and environmental sustainability practices often also demonstrate better financial performance in the long run.

A recent meta-analysis by the University of Oxford analyzed approximately 200 studies to assess how sustainable corporate practices have affected investment returns. The results showed that operational and stock price performance is positively influenced by good sustainability and ESG practices 80% of the time.3 Additionally, the Morgan Stanley report 3 revealed that consumer purchase trends favor products from businesses with socially conscious or sustainability inclinations. Approximately nine in 10 (87%) of U.S. consumers admit to purchasing a product because of a company’s stance on an issue they care about.

Despite this correlation between sustainable investing and financial performance, there is still progress to be made in changing perceptions regarding the value of implementing ESG into business practices. The 2018 study showed that 57% of investors surveyed still believe investing sustainably requires a financial tradeoff of some sort, thus making this framework seem less desirable.4 Such beliefs are beginning to fade, however, as more and more business owners and investors recognize the unique insights ESG provides into long-term risks and opportunities.

CSA - Ittner

A Top Pick for Investors

1. Morgan Stanley 2. PwC 3. University of Oxford, Arabesque Partners 4. Morgan Stanley 5. Morgan Stanley

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Progressive companies have realized that ESG can be made an asset if practices are made transparent. By integrating ESG standards, companies are able to establish a competitive advantage when seeking investment. Companies that incorporate ESG factors into their long-term strategic planning can communicate this to shareholders and give a more thorough picture of their company value.

As more companies begin to implement ESG frameworks into their practices, the overall investment process among global asset owners is becoming increasingly sophisticated. More than 80% of institutions integrating sustainability criteria now rely on request for proposal (RFP) processes and Investment Policy Statements to measure and ensure a company’s commitment to sustainability objectives.

When Environmental, Social, and Governance criteria are measured alongside financial analysis, the two methods of analysis can produce a clear picture of risk and return. This can prove to be beneficial to businesses, as ESG integration is often focused on identifying longterm risks and capturing opportunities arising from sustainability trends.

Another approach to ESG investing is thematic investment strategies. Used by 81% of survey respondents, these strategies involve investors choosing to allocate capital based on themes and sectors dedicated to specific ESG issues. For instance, the top thematic investment in the Morgan Stanley survey was climate change, with 44% respondents seeking to address these issues or to invest in companies already addressing climate change adaptation and mitigation.5 Moving Forward With ESG

The growing interest in ESG business practices reflects the view among companies and shareholders alike that integrating this set of criteria into investment processes can have positive benefits that extend beyond ethics and social responsibility. ESG integration seeks to not only to effect positive change within communities and the environment but also serve as a strong foundation for the long-term financial success of an organization or company. Responsibility and profitability are no longer seen as incompatible concepts but in fact as wholly complementary, and we can no longer deny the benefits of adopting ESG-centered business practices. end

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INDUSTRY MARKETING

SPECIALTY PUBLIC RELATIONS

SPORTS ADVERTISERS ARE DEMANDING MORE THAN AWARENESS, AND YOU SHOULD TOO MIKE SCHAFFER Founder & CEO Echo-Factory Pasadena, CA

Definitive action trumps the noise of mere visibility CSA - Schaffer

Mike Schaffer is founder and CEO at Echo-Factory, a Digital Agency headquartered in Pasadena, California. Echo-Factory works with a range of clients, including MagLite, Tabasco, and CedarsSinai, as well as startups and local companies that are investing in rapid growth. The agency just celebrated its 10-year anniversary and has been awarded many times for its work, including two “Best in Show” ADDY® awards.

PHONE 626/993.3770 WEBSITE echo-factory.com EMAIL michael@echo-factory.com ADDRESS 36 W. Colorado Boulevard Suite 200 Pasadena, CA 91105

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C-SUITE ADVISORY

Let me tell you a secret from the marketing industry: “building awareness” is the absolute easiest assignment you could give an agency.

That’s because when you ask an agency to build awareness of your brand or product, what you’re really saying is: “I just want you to get my message to people, and you’re not accountable for making those people do anything.”

Telling people something is easy. Getting people to do something is much harder.

For decades, the vast majority of sports marketing has revolved around awareness.

No one expects you to immediately go and buy printer paper because you went to a concert at Staples Center, or to buy a pack of razors because you watched the Patriots play at Gillette Stadium. Kia doesn’t expect you to rush out and buy a Sportage when you learn that they’re the official automotive partner of the NBA. There’s even some pretty strong evidence that this type of marketing doesn’t help a company’s bottom line. A paper from 2016 analyzed the

financial performance of companies that sponsored top European soccer teams, and found that this type of sports “sponsorship is more charity than commercial investment.”

Despite this evidence, awareness marketing still has a big place in sports. But it’s not what’s driving growth in that industry. That growth is coming from sports sponsorships that can be tied to trackable results that have a direct, measurable impact on the advertiser’s bottom line.

In Moneyball, Jonah Hill’s character says, “Your goal shouldn’t be to buy players. Your goal should be to buy wins.” Replace “players” with “awareness,” and you’ve gotten to the crux of what’s driving the growth in sports marketing today.

Take, for example, Anheuser-Busch InBev’s contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Instead of just paying for exposure, the beverage giant executed a carefully structured, incentive-laden contract that rewards the Timberwolves for delivering sales and fan interaction to

QUOTE:

THE HOTTEST BIDDING WARS OF THE YEAR HAVEN’T BEEN FOR TV RIGHTS; THEY’VE BEEN FOR STREAMING RIGHTS THAT GIVE OUTLETS THE CHANCE TO ACCURATELY TRACK VIEWERSHIP AND INTERACT WITH FANS IN NEW WAYS.

AB InBev. Thanks to one clause, when the team made the postseason, that triggered a bonus that increased the value of the contract. Postseason games give InBev the opportunity to sell more beer to thirsty fans, and more direct exposure for their brand at the sold-out games.

The Timberwolves also had the opportunity to earn incentives for social media activities that promoted InBev, and for successfully expanding their market share in the region along with viewership numbers.

At the end of the promotion, InBev will be able to take a close look at the campaign’s data and see a clear, data-driven ROI. That ability is something that’s all too frequently missing in sports sponsorships.

InBev isn’t alone. Visa uses events like the Olympics to introduce new payment technologies. Chase and Amex use sponsorships to provide their cardholders with exclusive access to premium experiences and early ticket-buying opportunities. The hottest bidding wars of the year haven’t been for TV rights; they’ve been for

streaming rights that give outlets the chance to accurately track viewership and interact with fans in new ways.

Which is all to say that sports marketers are finally waking up to the gospel of results-driven marketing, and data that can back up those results.

Whether you’re bidding for exclusive rights to be the official tube sock of the NFL, or pursuing a more modest advertising effort, here are three questions you should ask before you spend a single dollar on advertising.

1. How Will This Help My Bottom Line?

Any time you’re considering a new advertising effort, this is where you should start. Draw a clear line between the money you’ll be spending and how that will come back to you in improved revenue.

If that line takes too many detours, depends on too many “ifs” or just can’t make a clear connection, consider spending your money somewhere else.

2. What Data Will I Use to Track Results?

There are so many reasons why data is important to good campaigns. Not only does it let you know if, for example, your campaign actually works, but it also gives you the chance to make adjustments midstream that can sometimes help turn a campaign from a failure into a success.

3. How Will I Judge Success?

Before you start a campaign, know what the line is between success and failure, and the data it’s tied to. I’ve seen companies that are both thrilled when they should be disappointed and underwhelmed when they should be thrilled with a campaign’s results—all because they didn’t have a clear metric for success from the outset.

The truth is that building awareness is easy and often ineffective. To succeed, you need to stop spending your ad budget to buy awareness and start spending it to buy wins. end

CSA - Schaffer

CoCal IP Group.indd 1

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INDUSTRY REAL ESTATE

SPECIALTY TENANT REPRESENTATION

COACHING THROUGH NURTURANCE AND VULNERABILITY SHAY HUGHES President & COO Hughes Marino Los Angeles, CA New York, NY

Shay Hughes is president and COO of Hughes Marino, a nationally recognized commercial real estate firm committed to only representing tenants in their lease and purchase transactions.

Hughes manages the end-to-end operations of the firm and plays a key role in all aspects of business strategy, human resources, marketing, and client relations. She has been instrumental in shaping Hughes Marino’s culture, spearheading the development of the company’s 10 core values, and investing great time and energy into building a world-class team of professionals who are not only at the top of their game in business, but also treat one another like family.

PHONE 310/277.3211 213/689.3211 WEBSITE hughesmarino.com EMAIL shay@hughesmarino.com ADDRESS 11150 Santa Monica Blvd.

Suite 850 Los Angeles, CA 90025 200 Broadway New York, NY 10038

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C-SUITE ADVISORY

An essential element to building great teams on any playing field

CSA - Hughes

Every business strives to have a “dream team” that has incredible work ethic, amazing customer service, and infectiously positive personalities to keep the good energy flowing. As a leader of a commercial real estate firm, I work with businesses on a daily basis and have learned a lot about team synergy over the years. You can hire the most talented individuals in the world, but without cohesive teamwork, unified goals and values, and a genuine appreciation for each other, you risk falling short in cultivating that dream team. Cohesive teamwork can be identified in many ways. In sports, it’s chemistry; in business, it’s culture. Regardless of what you call it, this special connection between teammates can be achieved on the field and in the office, and it all begins with high-nurturance coaching as the essential element to unlock the true potential in any team.

Since day one at Hughes Marino, we have always made the happiness and positive culture of our team one of our highest priorities. In focusing on building our rich company culture with hard working, amazing teammates, it has paid off beyond our wildest dreams. Aside from making Fortune, Entrepreneur, and Inc.’s coveted best workplace lists, we’ve seen top talent and clients knocking on our doors. But I must admit, it hasn’t been easy, and dedication to cultivating

a unified company culture is something that needs to be worked at every day, starting with a commitment to coaching our team with a focus on high nurturance and vulnerability. These two focuses have entirely reshaped our company culture, are having a drastic effect on our industry, and resulted in a domino effect of positive results for our clients! With results like we’ve had, we can’t afford to neglect the effects of coaching with emphasis on nurturance and appreciation, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

Nurturance

By emphasizing nurturance, we have been able to create a culture and team that exudes support and positivity toward one another. We want all team members to feel uplifted when they walk into our doors, like they are walking into a second home with people they love to be around. We are very intentional about spreading positivity and take each obstacle as a challenge that can be solved with proactive communication and professional (and personal) growth. I remind our team on a regular basis that if they trust their instincts and are committed to always doing the right thing (our Core Value #1), they can never go wrong. If I can leave our offices knowing that our team members feel confident and empowered in their roles and with each other as their greatest

QUOTE:

COHESIVE TEAMWORK CAN BE IDENTIFIED IN MANY WAYS. IN SPORTS, IT’S CHEMISTRY; IN BUSINESS, IT’S CULTURE.

support, then I know our entire company can lead with nurturance and with a unified goal to win as a company.

Vulnerability

Vulnerability in the workplace may seem completely foreign to some businesses, but at Hughes Marino, it’s just another part of everyday life! It’s not unusual for a few heartfelt and happy tears to be shed at meetings, and our team members are always eager to recognize each other for going above and beyond for our team and our clients.

It breaks down the walls and opens the floodgates of communication like no other, not to mention bonds us in a way that feels much more like family than a group of coworkers!

Outside Coaching

Springer redeemed himself by hitting a homerun to tie the game. The moral of the story? Despite making an error that could potentially cost the Astros a game, the team rallied behind their teammate to provide support and encouragement, which blossomed into a redeeming moment to eventually help to win the World Series title! Their dream team was built upon mutual respect, hard work, and love for one another, and it was definitely a moment of outstanding coaching.

Regardless of what business you are in, the key to building a successful team can be unlocked through a commitment to coaching, backed by high nurturance and vulnerability. While the process may be uncomfortable and challenging at times, the reward will be well worth it! end

Not only do we coach internally, but we also look to outside experts for counsel. Since the beginning of our company, we have had famous author and business coach Mike Robbins speak to our team about appreciation, recognition, and vulnerability on a regular basis. In addition to speaking to companies across the globe (including Google and Microsoft), Mike also speaks to professional teams like the San Francisco Giants.

As a former professional baseball player himself, Mike has experienced (and witnessed) the incredibly positive results that high nurturance teams can achieve, including World Series titles!

This year Mike Robbins published his fourth book, Bring Your Whole Self to Work, and we were humbled to be referenced as his example of a team with a high level of nurturance. “When you walk into a Hughes Marino office, their commitment to both high expectations and high nurturance is on display physically, in the beautiful design and impeccability of their office space and the personal touch of team-member photos, as well as intangibly, via the energy and attitude of their team. When you talk to their employees, there’s a passion, enthusiasm, and gratitude for being part of a company like theirs that is infectious.” We are definitely committed to working hard and rewarding our team, and to see what Mike shared about his positive experiences with our team in his book floored us!

As one final example of the true potential that excellent coaching and nurturance can unleash, Mike recently shared a rare example he witnessed by the Houston Astros’ World Series winning team and their manager A.J. Hinch, a personal friend. In Game 5, outfielder George Springer missed a catch, causing the Dodgers to take the lead. While a critical mistake, Hinch and the team encouraged Springer, picking him up instead of tearing him down. One inning later,

CSA - Hughes

CSQ SUMMER 2018

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C-Suite AdvisorsTM Index ACCOUNTING

FINANCE

Trent Brown Deloitte & Touche LLP trbrown@deloitte.com

Adam Abramowitz Intrepid Investment Bankers aabramowitz@intrepidib.com

Kris Kaufmann BDO USA, LLP kkaufmann@bdo.com

Ed Bagdasarian Intrepid Investment Bankers ebagdasarian@intrepidib.com

T’Shaka Lee Deloitte & Touche LLP tshakalee@deloitte.com

Geoffrey R. Berlin, CFP® J.P. Morgan Private Bank geoffrey.r.berlin@jpmorgan.com

Scott M. Sachs, CPA CohnReznick, LLP scott.sachs@cohnreznick.com

Jonathan Bluth Intrepid Investment Bankers jbluth@intrepidib.com

CONSULTING Majid Abai Concepts Rise, LLC majid.abai@conceptsrise.com Brian Barry Dale Carnegie brian_barry@dalecarnegie.com Adam Bohn EVP / CTO INC Technologies 310/910.9044 adam@inctech.net

Robert Dalie The Summa Group of Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. robert.dalie@opco.com Doug DeGroote DeGroote Financial Group doug@degrootefinancial.com Josh Fein Advice Period josh.fein@adviceperiod.com Jim Freedman Intrepid Investment Bankers jfreedman@intrepidib.com

James Harwood CoAdvantage james@totalhrmanagement.com

Michele L. Havens Northern Trust mlf3@ntrs.com

Aramis Hernandez President INC Technologies 310/910.9044 aramis@inctech.net

Alan Hopkins Manchester Financial alan@mfinvest.com

Kevin S. Parikh Avasant kevin.parikh@avasant.com Andy Popov Avasant andy.popov@avasant.com Randall Stone Studio Head *māz 212/203.7637 randall.stone@emazexp.com e

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C-SUITE ADVISORY

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REAL ESTATE

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CSQ SUMMER 2018

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A PLACE TO BECOME ACTIVE

Boys & Girls Clubs

Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles The BGCMLA Healthy Lifestyles Programs promote health and well-being in youth by incorporating healthy living and active learning into every part of the Club experience.

www.bgcmla.org

Nickerson Gardens

Challengers

Bell Gardens

Watts Willowbrook

Jordan Downs

104 Exhibits & Performances 106 Proprietors’ Profile 110 Fine Dining 114 Required Reading & Listening 115 CSQ&A

C&T - Cover

In Beverly Hills at Somni, meaning “dream” in Catalan, chef José Andrés and culinary director Aitor Zabala have imbued a sense of heaven into their brilliant cuisine (p.110)

CSQ SUMMER 2018

Culture & Taste

Part 4

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OF NOTE

Exhibits & Performances A collection of mesmerizing bicoastal events where you can peruse a one-of-a-kind exhibit or celebrate a magnificent milestone with the LA Phil 100 Los Angeles

New York

LA PHIL 100: CELEBRATE LA! September 30, 2018

AROUND TOWN LA Other exhibits of note this season

The world-renowned Los Angeles Philharmonic is celebrating its 100th season throughout 2018-19. All of LA is invited to participate in the ongoing festivities, which reach from the Walt Disney Concert Hall all the way to the Hollywood Bowl. The day will include CicLAvia, open street performances by professionals and amateurs alike. As the sun starts to set, the festivities will flow into the Hollywood Bowl, where Gustavo Dudamel will conduct the LA Phil, inviting special guests on stage with him to celebrate LA’s diverse and vibrant artistic community. A dynamic media installation, WDCH Dreams, created by award-winning artist Refik Anadol, will light up the Walt Disney Concert Hall as the moon starts to rise. The installation rings in the centennial year for Los Angeles and its many residents. laphil.com

Pathways to Paradise: Medieval India and Europe Through August 5, 2018 The J. Paul Getty Museum

CULTURE & TASTE

AROUND TOWN NYC Other exhibits of note this season

Every year The Met unveils a new spring exhibition that is bound to wow its audience. This year The Met went holy with its theme “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Church.” It features a dialogue between fashion and medieval art and the ongoing conversation about devotional practices and traditions of Catholicism. Papal robes and accessories from the Sistine Chapel sacristy were featured as the cornerstone of the exhibition, many of which have not seen the light of day outside of The Vatican. In the Byzantine and medieval galleries, you can find an arrangement of early 20th-century to present-day fashions. Guests will enjoy heavenly couture that is truly up close and personal. The exhibition is made possible by Christine and Stephen A. Schwarzam and Versace, with additional support from Condé Nast. metmuseum.org

Being: New Photography 2018 Through August 19, 2018 MoMA

C&T - Of Note

Plato in LA: Contemporary Artists’ Visions Through September 3, 2018 The Getty Villa Spirit and Essence, Line and Form: The Graphic Work of Henry Moore Through October 1, 2018 The Huntington To Rome and Back: Individualism and Authority in Art, 1500–1800 Through March 17, 2019 LACMA Resnick Pavilion The Roots of Monozukuri: Creative Spirit in Japanese Automaking Through April 2019 Petersen Automotive Museum A Journey That Wasn’t Through February 2019 The Broad

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HEAVENLY BODIES: FASHION AND THE CATHOLIC CHURCH Through October 8, 2018 The Met Fifth Avenue & The Met Cloisters

Obsession: Nudes by Klimt, Schiele, and Picasso Through October 7, 2018 The Met Breuer Delacroix September 17, 2018 to January 6, 2019 The Met Fifth Avenue The Second Buddha: Master of Time Through January 7, 2019 The Rubin Andy Warhol: From A to B and Back Again November 12, 2018 to March 31, 2019 Whitney Museum of American Art In Praise of Painting: Dutch Masterpieces at The Met October 16, 2018 to October 1, 2020 The Met Fifth Avenue

Become a Part of History “Much like my lifelong passion for sports

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PROPRIETORS’ PROFILE

1. Partners Will Guidara and Daniel Humm

Making It Nice With Daniel Humm and Will Guidara

2. Eleven Madison Park’s renovated dining room

The famed restaurateurs of Eleven Madison Park, among the top restaurants in the the world, on their newest hotspots in Los Angeles and the Hamptons–and their quest to expand their culinary ventures By Kristen Oliveri

3. Jacques Garcia of Studio Jacques Garcia collaborated with Humm and Guidara on their newly minted West Coast restaurant, NoMad Los Angeles

C&T - Proprietors Profile

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WILL GUIDARA

CHEF DANIEL HUMM

Age 38 Residence Manhattan Family Wife Garage BMW M5 Business Over a Drink Manhattan on the rocks at the NoMad Library Travel Anywhere that I haven’t been before Success Happiness Mentor My dad— Frank Guidara Up-and-Coming Chefs You Admire Brady Williams at Canlis Restaurant

Age 42 Residence Manhattan Family Three daughters Garage BMW X5 Business Over a Drink A glass of wine Travel Provence—I go there every year with my family Success Finding happiness and purpose in what you do Mentor Gerard Rabaey Up-and-Coming Chefs You Admire Ryan Hardy, Ori Menashe

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In a global, food-obsessed culture in which Instagram is king and people regularly partake in culinary pilgrimages to iconic restaurants, the founders of Make It Nice Hospitality Group know unequivocally that they can never stop innovating.

It’s not enough that Eleven Madison Park was once named Best Restaurant of the Year, or that the NoMad has now opened a Los Angeles outpost. The rise of the fast casual restaurant has caught their eye, and they’re all in. They want to own the entire space from fine dining to superb everyday restaurants to fast casual eateries people frequent daily.

They shall leave no culinary stone unturned in an effort to bring unique experiences to all types of customers. And perhaps it’s that exact philosophy that has led them on the path to building an empire.

CSQ Can you tell us about your individual upbringings and how that shaped your future and sparked your love for all things culinary?

Will Guidara I grew up in the hospitality world.

My father worked with Wolfgang Puck, Au Bon Pain, Pizzeria Uno, and Restaurant Associates. He was my hero growing up; I always wanted to be like him, so going into restaurants was an easy choice.

I look to him for inspiration and guidance to this day. My early jobs included working in the dining rooms at Spago in Beverly Hills and at Tribeca Grill in New York City. Each experience made me fall in love more. My first management position at Tabla with Danny Meyer sealed the deal.

EMP was named the best restaurant in the world, and then you made the bold move to close for renovations. What was your thought process behind that?

MAKE IT NICE HOSPITALITY GROUP Founded November 2011, with the purchase of EMP from USHG

WG There is a quote by Willem de Kooning, “You

Employees Approx. 1,000

have to change to stay the same,” that is a big part of our company’s philosophy. We believe in constant evolution, always reinvesting and reinventing from a position of strength, not waiting until the experience is tired and you need to. While it was a pretty bold move to close after the big win, the timing was right. We had just signed a new 20-year lease, and felt ready to give the restaurant the facelift that we had been dreaming about for some time.

Opening Timeline

MAR / 2012 NoMad New York

APR / 2017

What type of experience will a guest have now at EMP that they wouldn’t have had before, prior to the renovations?

Made Nice

DH It’s still the same experience—gracious hospitality and delicious food—but now the room is more comfortable, more inviting, and more reflective of who we are. And then in the kitchen we have a few more tools of the craft, things to help us advance our food even further and better the guest experience.

JUN / 2017 EMP Summer House, Summer #1

MAY / 2018

EMP even has a presence in the Hamptons, for the second year in a row. Why is that an important market for you?

EMP Summer House, Summer #2

JAN / 2018 NoMad Los Angeles

WG The decision to move to the Hamptons was based on the fact that we were renovating and we wanted to keep our staff. When we were thinking about how to do that, we asked ourselves what New Yorkers do in the summer. They go to the Hamptons. So we did the same. It was an amazing experience—getting to reconnect with our regulars, getting to spend more time with the farmers out there that we have worked with for so long, and getting to bond with our team as we all spent a summer together on the beach!

WG We are lucky enough to have a deep bench

of ambitious talent, and part of our strategy is to watch them thrive. They commit themselves fully to our business and our ethos, and we want to give them opportunities—to watch them grow is to watch our business grow.

How did you start out in the business, taking a passion and turning it into a successful career?

WG I have always wanted to work in hospitality.

I learned how important drive, ambition, and a strong work ethic are from my father and I never let go of my goal, which has always been to create meaningful experiences for people.

Did you ever think your hard work would create an empire someday?

DH When you first start out as a young chef you don’t think about empires—you think about each day, about small goals you can achieve and build upon. We started with one restaurant in 2011, and through the years have slowly grown little by little.

But we don’t consider our business an empire—we have an amazing and supportive team that allows us to grow.

Why was it important to also tap into the fast casual market with Made Nice?

DH EMP is a restaurant you experience once in a lifetime, and NoMad is somewhere you go once a month. We started thinking about the kind of restaurant you would want to experience every day, and that led us to Made Nice.

C&T - Proprietors Profile

How do you approach your growth strategy for the business?

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What makes you different than other hospitality groups out there?

WG We have a seamless relationship between the

kitchen and the dining room. At our restaurants, there is no separation from the front of house and back of house—in fact, we don’t even use those terms. We work together, share ideas openly, and never go to bed angry. At the end of the day, we

Daniel Humm Unlike Will, I didn’t grow up around

the restaurant industry, but I was exposed to cooking from a young age. Growing up outside of Zurich, home cooking, visiting local farmers, and even growing some of our own produce were all common place. My mother always had me help her picking lettuces and vegetables, washing them thoroughly, and prepping them for lunches and dinners. At the time it seemed a chore, but looking back I realize how important it was. Taking a role in a restaurant came about in part because I needed to get a job, but also because I enjoyed cooking and had an appreciation for it. It wasn’t the path I wanted to take professionally, that was to be a cyclist, but after an accident when I was 16, plans changed.

3 CSQ SUMMER 2018

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also share the same goal: to make our guests happy.

What other projects are in your lineup for the next few years?

WG NoMad Las Vegas is opening in October, and

EMP Winter house will be open from December 2018 to March 2019. Beyond that, we are launching a partnership with the International Center of Photography in January and opening 425 Park Ave in 2020.

What is your overall food and hospitality philosophy?

DH Our goal is always to serve delicious food paired with gracious hospitality.

DH I don’t see it as a renaissance necessarily. I mean,

LA has been one of the best dining cities in the country for some time now. We’re just excited to contribute to that and bring our cuisine and our perspective to the city, particularly Downtown LA, which has been so wonderful in embracing us so far.

What is the most meaningful award that you have received, as a chef, artist, business man?

WG Honestly, each accolade has impacted my life

and provided a moment I’ll never forget. I can’t say one is more important than another because each has left an indelible mark on me and on our staff.

What would be the best piece of advice you would give to budding restaurateurs?

With all of your interests and such a high standard of quality, what are some standards used to enforce quality control at this level?

WG Prioritize graciousness and deliciousness

DH It’s all about trust. We trust our staff, our ven-

If you weren’t in the jobs you are doing, what would you be?

What hobbies and passions do you have outside of the kitchen?

DH If I weren’t a chef, I would be an architect. My

DH Running, biking, snowboarding, and spending time visiting museums and galleries.

above everything else.

father was an architect—the exposure to creating things, putting ideas to paper, and crafting a place that can be experienced influenced me. I learned from a young age how to appreciate the work.

dors, and our farmers completely.

WG For me, it’s music—especially playing the

drums.

Can you pinpoint any specific turning points in your career that set you on a particular path?

DH When I started out as a chef, I was always try-

ing to come up with ideas to make my dishes more elaborate, more impressive—additional sauces, additional techniques. I thought this was what was necessary to show my skills. But over the years, I’ve realized that simplicity is what shows mastery of your craft. When there are fewer components on the plate, the purpose of each element is much clearer, and in fact it’s much harder to work with less. When I created the dish of celery root in pig’s bladder, I came to understand this. For the first time, I felt like I had found my style of cooking and my identity as a chef.

Is it true that when you do what you love every day, it isn’t work? How do you make sure you maintain a work/life balance amidst the demands of your job?

WG Yes and no. We put our heart, souls, blood,

sweat ,and tears into our work because we love it.

I still wake up excited and go to bed eager for the next day. I don’t think there is such a thing as work/ life balance, but what keeps my feet on the ground are my friends, my family, and my wife—no doubt Daniel’s children do the same for him. Our family in the restaurants also make even the hard days worth it—we are inspired by them every day. And when it’s been a really long day, I order takeout and watch Netflix. end

C&T - Proprietors Profile

WG I would be a musician. It was always my other

love. I played the drums my entire life—in fact I still do, but not that often, and it is something I really miss. Perhaps one day!

Who would you say are your culinary mentors?

DH Chef Gerard Rabaey and Chef Michel Bras are

both mentors and huge inspirations to me.

The NoMad has crossed the country and moved to LA. Why was the market so attractive to you?

Where do you see the overlap between the restaurant experience and the art world?

DH Art is based on form and function, as is a res-

taurant experience. At Eleven Madison Park, we’ve created language that reflects this—every dish must be creative, intentional, delicious, and beautiful.

The word entrepreneur carries an impactful weight in society today. What does it mean for you both to consider yourselves entrepreneurs?

tion of its own city and not a carbon copy of New York. We have been very lucky to have the support of such a welcoming community of chefs and restaurateurs—the way they have embraced us in their city has been amazing.

WG I believe deeply in the nobility of service, which I cherish and teach to our employees. I see each of our restaurants, each seat, as an opportunity to create an experience. Over the years, as we’ve grown, we’ve developed the confidence to develop our own set of rules, which I think is a big part of being an entrepreneur.

How did you approach the differences in cuisine from the NY palette to the LA palette?

What were the entrepreneurial precursors to your inevitable purchasing of EMP from Union Square?

DH In developing our menu we were inspired by

WG We are both leaders—one of us leads the dining room, one of us leads the kitchen. As we worked together our confidence grew, we developed our own style of leadership and grew loyal to one another. Together, these factors led to us purchasing Eleven Madison Park—it felt like the natural next step, as a team.

WG NoMad Los Angeles needed to be a celebra-

what we found at the markets—the year-round seasonality and availability of amazing ingredients as well as the diversity of the city’s cuisines.

What are your thoughts about being a part of the culinary renaissance in LA?

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4. EMP’s Southampton Outpost 5. EMP offers an eightto-10-course menu that features the finest and freshest ingredients

Baltaire

FINE DINING Los Angeles

A Dash of the Old to Flavor the New A dreamy creation from Chefs Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis, the dynamic duo behind the mouthwatering Bestia, and an eclectic array of restaurants across greater Los Angeles and New York City, where you’ll be begging for reservations

By Brittany Fuisz

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Somni Beverly Grove

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Meaning “dream” in Catalan, Somni is the latest fine dining outpost of José Andrés and El Bulli vet Aitor Zabala. And dreamlike it is, hidden at the back of The Bazaar at the SLS Hotel. This ambitious newcomer offers only 10 counter seats in an intimate space that feels half art gallery, half kitchen.

The experience is personal, memorable, and thought-provoking.

The chefs take full advantage of the fantasy-like inspiration in the name and play with many of the dishes. Things are not what they seem with many of the courses that grace the counter during the 20-course dinner. ‘Pa amb tomaquet’ or tomato bread arrives looking like the classic Spanish toast, but one bite reveals a very modern take on the dish that still retains the flavors of the classic. A golden croissant is actually made of thinly layered potatoes, rather than the classic butter and flour, but is equally delectable. They take a ‘fist bump’ of caviar to new heights, served on a wooden hand mannequin. It’s a riot to eat and impossible not to photograph, as little pearls of the freshest caviar melt on your tongue. The space is minimalist and sleek with only a hint of color found in the bulls on the wall, a nod to El Bulli. Each vessel throughout the meal was meticulously chosen and often as beautiful as the food it carried.

The presentation of each course feels like a well-choreographed ballet, as 10 staff members assemble to ensure that diners’ plates are placed in front of them simultaneously.

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Fine dining in the Valley seems like an oxymoron, and perhaps it was until the introduction of Scratch Bar & Kitchen by chefs Phillip and Margarita Lee. Located in a towering strip mall, right on Ventura Blvd., the Lees have a magical concept that puts Encino on the map as a dining destination. A doorbell outside a frosted glass door leads you to the wonderland that is Scratch Bar. Your multi-course tasting commences with a few petite cocktails paired with small bites. Little morsels of wild mushroom with meringue and foie gras, or popcorn with thyme, whet the appetite and are a playful and interactive way to

start off. Diners are then moved into the kitchen, where the energy is undeniable. Rap music reminds you not to take the evening too seriously and to have some fun, while an open fire hearth promises flavorful cooking. Courses are brought out by the chefs and descriptions are detailed and fascinating. Many of the dishes were showstoppers, particularly the dry roasted cuttlefish with sweet potato and cumin as well as the fire roasted quail on a puree of carrots and black truffle. The dessert course of triple crème iced cream and house-made brioche was simply divine, and a reason to return sooner rather than later, as the menu is constantly evolving. Choose between standard or a grand wine pairing. scratchbarla.com

Scratch Bar & Kitchen Encino

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Photo Credit: Scratch Bar — Jakob N. Layman, Somni — Jill Paider

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Crustacean Beverly Hills

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A lt houg h B e verly H i l l s h a s few long-standing restaurants, Helene A n has been ma k ing her famous garlic noodles since 1997 at Crustacean. After a substantial renovation last year, the space has reopened and has been transformed. Offering indoor and outdoor seating and an invite-only restaurant upstairs, opened in May, Crustacean is reborn and the food is better than ever. The kitch-

en is helmed by Tony Nguyen who serves light, flavorful Vietnamese cuisine using hardly any dairy. Chose from a pre-fixe menu or order á la carte. While it’s tempting to order the garlic noodles and crab as they are excellent, do not miss out on some of the newer, fabulous items that have landed on the menu. Surf and turf sashimi with wild salmon and A-5 wagyu with crispy garlic and a Tabasco chili vinaigrette is loaded with flavor. The salmon and wagyu are thinly cut and melt in your mouth.

Braised lamb dumplings were one of my favorite dishes of the night, and a fusion of Vietnamese and Thai. Tom yum broth held the sweet morsels filled with butternut squash and the tender lamb. Vegan hearts of palm “crab cake” with spicy aioli was astoundingly like the real thing but better, and the presentation was a showstopper. An off-menu sole on a bed of wilted spinach and white rice was seared tableside with truffle butter.

Dessert—a delicate financier pineapple cake with brown butter, oat honey streusel, créme fraiche crémeux, and Dole-whip—was mesmerizing. crustaceanbh.com

1. Locally sourced meat ready for preparation at Scratch Bar 2. To initiate an intimate and personal dining experience, the chefs at Scratch Bar personally take your order once you are seated 3. At Scratch Bar, guests will find an array of tastings that span more than 20 courses on the menu 4. ‘Pa amb tomaquet’— tomato bread—found at Somni 5. At Somni, a delectable mixing of caviar and truffle

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C&T - Fine Dining LA

6. Seasoned Spanish Chef Aitor Zabala joins José Andrés in the kitchen at Somni 7. At Crustacean, Helene An’s specialty garlic noodles and crab will have you salivating from down the block

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Bavel Downtown Los Angeles

8. Orange County’s Jh2 Architects executed the redesign for Crustacean

Chefs Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis of Bestia have opened a new Middle Eastern restaurant in the Downtown Arts District. Food is meant to be shared family style, as the inspiration for this restaurant came from the chef’s family roots in Israel, Morocco, Turkey, and Egypt. The brick warehouse that houses the concept boasts massive ceilings, an open kitchen, and hanging vines spilling over planters from high above. It is energetic, with tons of natural light and a nice glow from the fire of the kitchen. The best way to start the meal is with some of the fabulous breads and spreads.

Duck ‘nduja hummus is creamy

9. The redesign at Crustacean includes a tall, glowing bar, along with multi-level, multi-functioning rooms that can accommodate any size party 10. The natural lighting at Bavel provides an ethereal atmosphere that envelops patrons 11. A trio of flatbreads featuring lamb, chicken liver, and a vegetarian option with strawberry zhoug can be found at Bavel

with a flavorful center and a side of fluffy, warm pita. Baba ghanoush is a nice spin on the classic with smoked eggplant topped with red walnuts and a lemon chili salt and a gorgeous fried pita with tumeric. Grilled prawns come head on and are juicy and sweet on a bed of eggplant tzatziki. Entrees are large format. Slow roasted lamb neck shawarma usually sells out, so be sure to get your order in early. It is a feast in itself, served atop a flat bread with sides of crème fraiche tahini, fermented cabbage, and turnips. Half a duck comes with aged breast, confit leg, and a side of bone broth as well as an incredible chicory salad. Desserts are very unique, all with a strong nod to the Middle East. Book at least a month in advance. Soon to come, lunch ser vice. baveldtla.com

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FINE DINING New York

Don Angie Greenwich Village Husband and wife team Angie Rito and Scott Tacinelli are the duo behind this small yet magical West Village American Italian restaurant. Hip music, strong cocktails, and cuisine inspired by their grandmothers make this the ideal spot for dinner with friends or a date night. Start with a Fiasco Spritz, with a blend of 10 aperitivos and Prosecco, or a Margarita with tequila, Calabrian chili honey, blood orange, and fennel

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liqueur. A chrysanthemum salad is excellent and comes with a layer of parmesan that looks like a fresh bed of snow over leafy greens with garlic and sesame. Pastas are truly remarkable, from the garganelli giganti with broken meatball ragu, guanciale, and pecorino to the buffalo milk caramelle with cantaloupe and black sesame. Lasagna for two is a showstopper, but does not leave room for anything else if you are in fact just two.

Black cocoa tiramisu with marsala caramel and mascarpone is a wonderful way to end the evening. donangie.com

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Located in the old Four Seasons restaurant, a space that practically invented power dining in New York, The Pool is one of the newer editions of Major Food Group.

With a focus on seafood in all forms—raw, cooked, and whole— The Pool is the epitome of Midtown dining at its finest. Soaring ceilings and a dignified bar lend space to celebrations both large and small.

Cocktails have been voted among the best in New York. The cucumber with absinthe, lime, and cane sugar is as lovely to look at as it is to drink. Start with one of the small but tasty toasts: Santa Barbara sea urchin, tuna, or anchovy.

Raw selections include fluke with ceviche with mango and sancho peppercorn or kanpachi, dressed in matsutake oil and fresh nebrodini mushrooms. Octopus a la plancha is perfectly tender, while their play on surf and turf is a rack of lamb with scallops and cumin for two. thepoolnewyork.com

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Photo Credits: The Pool — Scott Frances; Don Angie — Ashley Sears; Locanda Verde — Noah Fecks

The Pool Midtown East

1. The Pool is the definition of upscale architecture meets fine dining 2. Philip Johnson’s interiors at The Pool have been restored and revamped to offer a fresh take on this landmarked architectural gem, the setting of the former Four Seasons 3. A custom Alexander Calder mobile hovers above the small pool in the center of the dining room at The Pool 4. GRT Studios took inspiration from the glamour of northern Italy and the hometown familiarity of New Jersey when designing the interior for Don Angie 5. Buffalo milk caramelle with cantaloupe and black sesame at Don Angie

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6. Date night? Share a meal at Don Angie with their lasagne for two 7. A dinner spread at Locanda Verde, featuring entrees for two, allows you and your family or friends to explore the delicious offerings

C&T - Fine Dining NY Locanda Verde Tribeca

8. Enjoy the premium wagyu beef steak tartare piemontese with black truffle and hazelnuts at Locanda Verde

Andrew Carmellini’s Locanda Verde is located just off the lobby of The Greenwich Hotel, which is fitting since Locanda in Italian is a place to drink, eat, and stay the night. Drawing a crowd since 2009, the urban Italian fare is offered for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The homemade Rhubarb Ricotta Danish is a delightful way to begin your day, as is Uova Modenese with cotechino hash, spinach, and tomato hollandaise.

Sit outside a long Greenw ich Street during lunch and watch the busy bodies of lower Manhattan hurry by, as you savor Mezze Rigatoni with white veal bolognese and aged parmigiano or a Shaved Porchetta Sandwich with grilled onions and provolone. Dinner is best as a family affair, with more substantial secondis like Berkshire Pork with polenta, wild mushrooms, and marsala jus or a whole wood fired garlic chicken for two. locandaverdenyc.com

9. The warm, soft glow of the lighting inside Locanda Verde gives an intimate and comfortable feeling while patrons dine and enjoy conversation

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REQUIRED READING

The untold story of a legendary athlete, an examination of a great TV drama, a historic and outstanding television series, tips for turning a hobby into a career, and a hypothesis about the future of Hollywood By Gabriela Capasso

Scintillating Summer Page Turners Tiger Woods Jeff Benedict & Armen Keteyian

All the Pieces Matter: The Inside Story of The Wire Jonathan Abrams

Ready, Fire, Aim: How I Turned a Hobby into an Empire Melissa Carbone

The Big Picture: The Fight for the Future of Movies Ben Fritz

Simon & Schuster 512 pages

Crown Archetype 335 pages

BenBella Books 181 pages

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt 309 Pages

C&T - Required Reading PLOT Tiger Woods had been the picture perfect athlete, crafting a radiant persona that showcased an ideal family, outstanding career, and a seemingly flawless character, all while managing to be at the top of the golf world.

However, things weren’t what they seemed, and a Thanksgiving car crash gave light to his underlying darkness. In this intriguing new biography, the story of a legendary athlete unfolds.

MEAT Jeff Benedict and Armen Keteyian delve deep into the recesses of Woods’ life, exploring behind the headlines, conducting a plethora of interviews, and undergoing extensive research, to finally be able to answer the question: Who is the real Tiger Woods?

TWIST The authors uncover the true human trapped within the most famous athlete of all time with revelations that were shaped from his upbringing and family, allowing for a glimpse at the man behind the myth.

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CULTURE & TASTE

PLOT The Wire has become a behemoth in its daunting thematic exploration and critical analysis, finding its way into university discussions, political agenda references, and activism discourse.

Now Jonathan Abrams is offering a new insight into the world of one of the greatest works of the 20th century by going behind the camera.

PLOT Melissa Carbone, founder of Ten Thirty One Productions and securer of the largest sum of investment to ever be given on Shark Tank, has gone through the trial and error of entrepreneurship. Now she wants others to be able to build an empire out of their own passionate hobbies, like she successfully has.

MEAT An astonishing and compelling behind-the-scenes look into HBO’s crime drama The Wire, featuring accounts and unrestricted access to the actors and creative writers involved in the inception, the following six years of production, and the conclusion of the acclaimed show.

MEAT The renowned horror enthusiast gives a detailed account of all the shots that she has taken, especially highlighting the ones that haven’t worked out and facing failure right in the face. Her journey into success started from the ground but with her determination and perseverance she has cornered a terrifying market.

TWIST All the Pieces Matter reminds you why The Wire is still relevant in today’s unstable political and societal climate. It ventures into a serious contextualization of the masterful show and acts as a companion piece, rather than a play-by-play.

TWIST Carbone shares her tips, anecdotes, and secrets, hoping to help and provoke anyone with a dream to disrupt the industry and turn it into reality. She outlines finding inspiration by choosing boldly, activating your ideas, and killing your fears of failure.

PLOT Hollywood is going through a cataclysmic moment rivaling that of the end of the silent film dynasty. Stars and directors are seeing power shifts, while writers and producers are gaining momentum through TV, comic books, and the toy business. Ben Fritz records this shake-up with mastery because of his fluency in both the financial and entertainment realms of Hollywood.

MEAT Fritz holds nothing back as he drives straight into dozens of interviews with key players of Hollywood, Disney, Marvel, Netflix, Amazon, Imax, and others to discover what it took to reinvent the business, delving deep into the evolution of Marvel and the renovation of Disney.

TWIST Hollywood’s “reinvention of the wheel” happens to be for the better as this shift brings on a new dawn for film. Fritz is able to capture this new Golden Age through the creative mavericks who are moving it and illuminating a new era of what movies should look like.

CSQ sits down with a previous (Q3 2016) NextGen 10 to discuss the dwindling age of radio, the rise of the podcast, and what it’s like working with Bill Simmons

REQUIRED LISTENING CSQ&A CHRIS RYAN EXECUTIVE EDITOR THE RINGER

Podcasts blend the nostalgic sound and feel of radio with today’s need for personalization of anything digital. This is why Chris Ryan, executive editor of sports and pop culture podcast The Ringer, calls podcasts “the next generation’s radio.” It’s like listening to good friends chat on topics catered to listener’s interests. CSQ spoke with Ryan about the rise of the podcast and how the format gives what people crave—the feeling of community. Ryan knows what he is talking about. The Ringer continues to excel, never skipping a beat on entertainment and sports news, LeBron joining the LA Lakers, how much Drake is too much Drake. If it’s trending you can bet they’re talking about it.

CSQ When you started to work with Bill Sim-

mons on ESPN’s Grantland, was that the moment you knew podcasting would be for you?

Chris Ryan I never would have guessed pod-

casting would have blown up like this. This last year, the big change was the smoothness of jumping from show to show and from topic to topic. I had no idea that I would become a huge part of people’s lives. A married couple came up to me and expressed how much I make their nights with my podcasts. Technology has come so far, allowing podcasting and streaming to become so convenient in our everyday lives.

The podcast industry is the next generation’s radio.

CR We want to focus on being transparent.

It changes the way we start to see podcasts that are tied to events or news coverage. We are able to do this now without rushing. That’s what we’re doing with The Ringer. You also need them to feel like they’re part of a community.

For example, once the Kyrie Irving trade went down, we started casting only a few minutes later. It was probably the most popular podcast we’ve ever done. Podcasts help people make sense of things. At first people might have thought that it was a meditative sort of thing but now it has become more of a necessity.

C&T - Required Listening CSQ What about podcasting is different than radio and how is it successful?

CR Look at Bill Simmons’ podcasts—they’re peaking 35 minutes in. They’ll give off some entertainment through personalities, and then comes the meat of the topic. On radio, you have to reset the topics all of the time and aren’t able to go at your own pace. Podcasts are still holding people’s attention 45 minutes in and you’re giving them both an intellectual and emotional experience rather than radio’s reset every 5-10 minutes due to commercials. That’s why podcast hosts are more often than not the main subject of the podcast. Listeners care about them just as much, if not more, than the topic.

CSQ How has The Ringer been doing?

CR Because of Bill, we have a benefit due to his pull with listeners. At The Ringer we have people who can do multiple things, like someone doing an NBA podcast, and then a television podcast. After an event, people wanted a podcast right away to keep the conversation going.

CSQ Describe the live show aspect of the podcast.

CR Podcasts are largely a private enterprise, being listened to through your earbuds or on your daily commute. To have more of a celebratory aspect would be different, and audience reactions would create a relatability. However, there is that added pressure, like in stand up, where you wonder if your jokes or topics are interesting.

CSQ Given the growth of The Ringer and the network in general, what are you personally excited for?

CR I’m satisfied where I am currently. For the podcast, as long as we keep evolving and adapting to the trends, then we are set. We’d like to do a music podcast called Unshuffle with an essentially week-long production cycle; pre-production would be selecting the music to discuss, then the actual recording process would take place where we would finely tune it. That kind of progression could produce a next-level audio experience. end

CSQ How do you make the audience feel like they are more involved?

CSQ SUMMER 2018

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KEYNOTE SPEAKER

SIR RICHARD BRANSON Founder, Virgin Group

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

PETER GUBER

ACG LA

CEO, Mandalay Group

Owner & Co-Managing Partner, Golden State Warriors Co-Owner, Los Angeles Dodgers

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

JOHN HENNESSY Chairman of Alphabet, Parent Company of Google Tenth President of Stanford University

SEPTEMBER 25 -26, 2018 Beverly Hilton Hotel Special ACG LA Business Conference Hotel Rates Available

WWW.ACGLACONFERENCE.COM

118 CSQ Visionaries Awards in Real Estate & Finance 122 CSQ Inside the C-Suite With LAFC Owners 124 EY Entrepreneur of the Year Awards 126 World of Children Hero Awards Benefit 127 Beyond Board 128 ACG Awards

The Network

Part 5

The Network - Cover

The 2018 World of Children Hero Awards Benefit (p. 126) honored Veronica and Brian Grazer along with countless others for their unwavering support and constant work to improve the lives of children

CSQ SPRING 2018

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VISIONARIES SERIES

HONOREES

CSQ’S 2018 VISIONARIES AWARDS IN REAL ESTATE & FINANCE

2018 Visionaries of the Year Charles S. Cohen Owner, Cohen Brothers Realty Corp.

Steven F. Udvar-Házy Founder & Executive Chairman, Air Lease Corporation

May 16, 2018 NASDAQ Marketsite New York, New York

Dorene C. Dominguez Chairman & CEO, Vanir Group of Companies Vinny Dotolo Owner, Joint Venture Restaurant Group Chris Godfrey Principal, HBA Residential

CSQ’s 2018 Visionaries Awards in Real Estate & Finance were held on Wednesday, May 16th, 2018.

Hosted by NASDAQ at NASDAQ MarketSite in the heart of Times Square, guests were able to catch a glimpse behind the curtain of the global finance media center while also enjoying views overlooking bustling New York City and savoring a Macallan Rare Cask. The event also celebrated CSQ’s 10-year anniversary and New York expansion, bridging the two largest markets in the U.S. New York welcomed us with open arms. The program honored the 2018 Class of Visionaries, Thought Leaders, and NextGens.

Les Hiscoe CEO, Shawmut Design and Construction Christopher C. Martin Chairman & CEO, AC Martin James Patchett Founder & Managing Partner, Hollod Holdings

The Network - Visionary Awards

Visionary of the Year Charles S. Cohen attended and gave a window into the work of Cohen Brothers Realty Corp, the value and impact of CSQ, and his excitement about the burgeoning Los Angeles and New York Real Estate market in 2018 and beyond.

Also recognized and honored on stage were luminaries including: Najeeb Ghauri, Founder & CEO, NetSol Technologies; Eric Clement, SVP, NYCEDC; Chris Godfrey, Principal, HBA Residential; Peter Scialla, Partner & COO, Delos; and Les Hiscoe, CEO, Shawmut Design and Construction.

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THE NETWORK

Paul Scialla Founder & CEO, Delos

Jon Shook Owner, Joint Venture Restaurant Group Jeremiah Stone Owner, Contra Group Fabián Von Hauske Valtierra Owner, Contra Group

ALSO HONORED CSQ’s 2018 NextGen 10 Real Estate & Finance: Kathleen Cahill, Pamela Capalad, Bill Costigan, Patrick Horsman, Tucker Hughes, Noah Isaacs, Evan Kantor, John Meadows, Luke Morris, Carissa Shrock Oyedele, and Mark Anthony Thomas

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The Network - Visionary Awards 2

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1 David Wurth 2 Ross Cohen, Jason Parker, Brooke Parker, Charles S. Cohen, Gloria Cohen, Clo Cohen 3 Randy Shy, Henry Winterstern, Spencer Garfield 4 Mark Anthony Thomas, Bill Costigan, Kathleen Cahill, John Meadows, Noah Isaacs

CSQ SUMMER 2018

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1 Charles S. Cohen 2 Chris Godfrey 3 Emma van Rooyen, Randall Stone, Les Hiscoe, Barbara Garjian Hiscoe, Allison Gifford 4 Randy Brandoff 5 Jonathan Zweig 6 Najeeb Ghauri

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THE NETWORK

VISIONARIES SERIES

SPONSORS AND PARTNERS Carbonadi Clay Lacy Aviation Ernst Young The Macallan Nasdaq Pietro Caciorgna

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The Network - Visionary Awards 3

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1 David Wurth, Peter Scialla 2 Charles S. Cohen 3 VIP Guest, Suman Lal, Mark Anthony Thomas, Eric Clement 4 Erik Huberman, David Wurth, Fadzi Makanda, Steve Lehman 5 Ricky Miller, VIP Guest, Najeeb Ghauri, Carl Hernas, Bill Costigan, Shaz Khan 6 Robert Horowitz, Steve Stuart, Henry Winterstern

CSQ SUMMER 2018

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PHOTOGRAPHY Dave Suchanek EVENT CONTACT events@csq.com

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CSQ INSIDE THE C-SUITE WITH LAFC OWNERS July 12, 2018 Banc of California Stadium Los Angeles, CA Event Highlights CSQ and guests took an inside look into the impressive Banc of California Stadium. Guests were able to tour the stadium, which was completed in April 2018, garnering first-hand looks at its innovative and sophisticated design.

It also served as an elegant gathering of the community’s cross-industry influencers, allowing them to network while enjoying inspired cocktails thanks to our sponsors.

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The night included a riveting panel discussion with LAFC owners Tom Penn, Bennett Rosenthal, Lon Rosen, and Brandon Schneider, as well as insight from the architect behind it all, Jonathan Emmett, design director, sports facilities practice lead, and principal at Gensler. Emmett initiated conversation with the crowd while also speaking about his ideas and thoughts regarding preparation of the stadium. The intimate gathering of about 50 people provided an enriching experience and exploration of new and inspiring ideas.

The Network - Inside the C-Suite 2

Hosts Larry Freedman EVP & Chief Business Officer, LAFC; CEO, Oklahoma City Dodgers/ Mandalay Baseball LLC Tom Penn Founding Owner & President, LAFC; Co-founder & President, Sports Leadership Institute

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Bennett Rosenthal Co-managing Owner, LAFC; Co-founder, Director, & Partner, Ares Management; Co-owner, AS ROMA Lon Rosen Co-owner, LAFC; EVP & CMO, Los Angeles Dodgers Brandon Schneider Owner, LAFC; CRO, Golden State Warriors PHOTOGRAPHY Dave Suchanek EVENT CONTACT events@csq.com

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THE NETWORK

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1 John Bendheim, Reon Roski, Tiffany Wright, Jim Wright 2 Christian Bakewell, Ricky Miller 3 Renata Simril 4 Larry Freedman 5 David Herbst, Daryl Dunn, Cindy Starrett

Sponsors and Partners Blackbird Vineyards—Michael Polenske Burgess Carbonado Vodka—Ricky Miller INC Technologies Inspirato Latham & Watkins Nasdaq The Macallan Travelstore

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The Network - Inside the C-Suite

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1 James Segil, Mark Morris, Keith Wasserman 2 Tom Penn, Bennett Rosenthal, Lon Rosen 3 Les Callahan, Adam Bohn, Sharon Joch 4 Lon Rosen, Brandon Schneider 5 Jonathan Emmett 6 David Wurth 7 Darren Siegrest, Matt Ross, Seth Burton, Michele Raphael 8 Michael Polenske

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ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR® 2018 GREATER LOS ANGELES AWARDS GALA Thursday, June 14, 2018 The Beverly Hilton Hotel Beverly Hills, CA Organization EY (Ernst & Young LLP) Award Winners Master Entrepreneur Award: Arie Belldegrun Technology Award: Jake Winebaum Emerging Award: Heather Hasson & Trina Spear Consumer Products & Retail Award: Eddy Lu & Daishin Sugano

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Digital Media Award: Rich Pierson & Andy Puddicombe Cleantech & Renewable Energy Award: Patrick Maloney Health Award: Dr. Anthony Gabriel and Rich Whitney

The Network - EY Awards

Marketing Technology Award: Michael Blend and Chuck Ursini

Family Business Award: Nadine Watt

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Youth Scholarship Recipient Kelsey Johnson Master of Ceremonies Christine Devine Sponsors Founded and produced by EY, the Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards are nationally sponsored in the US by SAP America, the Kauffman Foundation, Merrill Corporation, and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. In Greater Los Angeles, local sponsors include Gold sponsor: Tangram; Silver sponsors: Avison Young, Ballard Spahr LLP, Cresa, HighTower—Acacia Wealth Advisors, and Woodruff-Sawyer & Company; and PR sponsor: Olmstead Williams Communications.

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Media Sponsor C-Suite Media / CSQ PHOTOGRAPHY CREDIT Jon Delouz EVENT CONTACT Ashley Evans ashley.evans1@ey.com

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THE NETWORK

1 EY 2018 Winners 2 Chuck Ursini, Michael Blend 3 Patrick Maloney 4 Paul Chen, CEO, Kinky Kaps; Kelsey Johnson; Kim Small, Executive Director, NFTE LA Metro 5 Daishin Sugano, Eddy Lu 6 Jake Winebaum, Alexander Kazerani, Hall of Fame Prior Winner

ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR® 2018 NEW YORK AWARDS GALA Tuesday, June 12, 2018 Marriot Marquis New York, New York

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Organization EY (Ernst & Young LLP) Purpose To celebrate and honor the finalists and announce the winners of the 2018 Entrepreneur Of The Year® New York program. Carefully selected by an independent panel of judges, awards were presented to winners in nine different categories ranging from Financial Services to Healthcare.

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Award Winners Jen Rubio and Steph Korey, Dr. Vlad Coric, Alexis Lê-Quôc and Olivier Pomel, Robert Matthews, Jeremy Miller, Isaac Oates, Nicholas Taranto, Patrick Walsh, Chris Riccobono Youth Scholarship Recipient Cheyenne Sookoo Emcee Kenan Thompson

The Network - EY Awards 4

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Sponsors & Partners Founded and produced by EY, the Entrepreneur Of The Year® Awards are nationally sponsored in the US by SAP America, Merrill Corporation, and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.

In New York, sponsors also include Marsh, Empire Valuation Consultants, Kirkland & Ellis LLP, Pine Hill Group, DLA Piper, and SolomonEdwards Group.

Media Sponsor C-Suite Media / CSQ Non-profit aligned EY is a proud sponsor of The Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) PHOTOGRAPHY CREDIT Peter Baiamonte EVENT CONTACT Danielle Duchamp danielle.duchamp@ey.com MEDIA CONTACT Michelle Liotta michelle.liotta@ey.com

CSQ SUMMER 2018

6 1 Mike Portegello, Kenan Thompson 2 Nicolas Taranto, Alexis Lê-Quôc 3 Dr. Eric Schweiger, Sasha Tarasenko 4 Cheyenne Sookoo 5 Jason Finger, Wesley Finger 6 The 2018 Award Winners and Co-Directors Noelle Calautti, Michelle Vice

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2018 WORLD OF CHILDREN HERO AWARDS BENEFIT Thursday, April 19, 2018 Montage Beverly Hills Organization World of Children

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Mission World of Children improves the lives of vulnerable children by funding, elevating, and educating the most effective changemakers for children worldwide.

Notable Honorees Veronica and Brian Grazer, Douglas Maclagan, Max Frieder, Sarah Cronk, Dr. Elizabeth Jones Event Highlights With the help of incredible sponsors and supporters of the 2018 Hero Awards Benefit, World of Children will be able to unlock the future for children who call a refugee camp their home; children who have been bullied or discriminated against for being just a little different; children who are battling for a chance to receive an education; children in need of everyday medical care or necessities just to survive. As World of Children Co-Founder Harry Leibowitz said, “We have made an unbreakable pact to care for our children no matter what the cost or obstacles. Together, can we make tomorrow better than yesterday.”

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The Network - World of Children

Sponsors Haim and Cheryl Saban, The McAlister Family, Imagine Entertainment, MadaLuxe Group, Veronica and Brian Grazer, Robert K. Kraft, Tommy Kato, Iger Bay Foundation, Kelly and Alec Gores, UNICEF USA, White Oak Commercial Finance, Kay and Harry Leibowitz, and Barbara and Roy March.

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Media Sponsor CSQ Organization Founders Kay Isaacson-Leibowitz and Harry Leibowitz PHOTOGRAPHY CREDIT Rich Polk / Getty Images for World of Children EVENT CONTACT Director of Communications Kimberly Sanders, contact@worldofchildren.org

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THE NETWORK

1 Lisa Parigi, World of Children Co-Founder Kay Isaacson-Leibowitz, and Lionel Richie 2 Brian Grazer, Norman Lear 3 Brooke Burke and Lily Aldridge 4 Kay Isaacson-Leibowitz, Dr. Elizabeth Jones, Max Frieder, Douglas Maclagan, and Sarah Cronk, and World of Children Co-Founder Harry Leibowitz 5 Rachel Roy and Brooke Burke 6 Brian and Veronica Grazer alongside producer Haim Saban

BEYOND BOARD May 29, 2018 Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles Beverly Hills, CA

Event Highlights Beyond Board launched at the Four Seasons in Beverly Hills, bringing together some of today’s most impactful and strategic leaders. All members hold board positions, or are board eligible, for today’s best companies and causes. Together this community is also supporting more diversity on boards. Attendees came in from New York, Chicago, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.

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The event was co-hosted by members including Alec Litowitz, CEO/Founder of Magnetar Capital; Toni Ko, Founder of NYX Cosmetics and Perverse Sunglasses; and Christine Simmons, President/COO of the WNBA LA Sparks. Former FBI Chief Hostage Negotiator and CEO of Black Swan Group Chris Voss served as guest speaker.

The Network - Beyond Board 4

Notable Attendees Dulari Amin, Lorraine Berchtold, David Bober, Zenetta Burger, Dena Burton, Sophia Bush, Pav Dharwarkar, Jesse Draper, Erik Huberman, Angela Hucles, Jessica Jackley, Brett Johnson, Randall Kaplan, Mimi Kim, Toni Ko, Jonathan Lifschutz, Alec Litowitz, Stacy London, Brock Moseley, Trevor Neilson, Marlon Nichols, Ivan Nikkhoo, Jennifer Nuckles, Tina Perry, Justin Rezvani, Robin Richards, Stacy Sher, Erin Shipley, Christine Simmons, Mark Stagen, Shamin Walsh, Ric Whitney, Chris Voss, Mahsa Zeinali, Min Zhang.

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Media Sponsor CSQ

PHOTOGRAPHY Jeffrey Lin EVENT CONTACT Sarah Zapp Founder, Beyond Board sarah@sarahzapp.com

CSQ SUMMER 2018

1 Christine Simmons, Alec Litowitz, Sarah Zapp, Chris Voss, Toni Ko 2 Alec Litowitz 3 Stacy London, Sophia Bush 4 Chris Voss, Sarah Zapp 5 Toni Ko 6 Christine Simmons, Ivan Nikkhoo, Jonathan Lifschutz

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8TH ANNUAL ACG AWARDS CEREMONY Wednesday, May 9, 2018 Walt Disney Concert Hall Downtown Los Angeles Organization ACG Awards Emcee Frank Mottek KNX (AM) 1070 Newsradio & KKCAL-TV Channel 9 LA Purpose The 8th Annual ACG LA Awards Ceremony honored a collection of eight outstanding companies that have demonstrated the principles that are core to ACG. These awards are ACG’s way of recognizing a select group of local companies that have not only demonstrated leadership in their fields but also made a significant impact in the region. From apparel and software to consumer products and professional sports, the award recipients represent a diverse array of private and public companies and are a true testament to the thriving business community in the greater Los Angeles region.

Notable Honorees Strategic Deal of the Year: PMC

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The Network

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Founders Award: Headspace Social Impact Award: DIFF Eyewear Private Company Growth Award: Health-Ade Kombucha Industry Transformation: Algenist Mayor’s Award: Los Angeles Chargers Market Disruption: Sugarfina Healthcare Innovation Award: 24Hr Homecare

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Presenting Sponsors KPMG, Thompson Coburn LLP, Wells Fargo Table Sponsors AdvicePeriod, Aspiriant, BBVA Compass, BDO, Community Bank, CSuite Financial Partners, Sheppard Mullin, Union Bank, The Macallan, Insperity Media Sponsor CSQ EVENT CONTACT Rehan Chaudhry rehan.chaudhry@adviceperiod.com

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THE NETWORK

1 Diana Trout, Justin Trout, Vanessa Dew, and Health-Ade Kombucha Team 2 Sean Brecker, Richard Person, Andy Puddicombe 3 Jennifer Post 4 July Bocabeille, Suzie Doran, Candice Macie 5 Josh Resnick, Rosie O’Neill 6 John Spanos 7 Tyner Slay, David Allerby, Ryan Iwamoto

Advertiser Index ACG LA acg.org/los-angeles

Clay Lacy Aviation claylacy.com

Inspirato Inspirato.com

The Resort at Pelican Hill pelicanhill.com

Baltaire Restaurant baltaire.com

Commercial Bank of California Cbcal.com

Jaffe & Associates

SoCal IP Law Group LLP socalip.com

Blade flyblade.com

Emerge212 emerge212.com

Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro LA Bgcmla.org

Ernst & Young ey.com

Burgess Yachts Burgessyachts.com

gish Seiden LLC gishseiden.com

Carbonadi houseofcarbonadi.com

Hughes Marino hughesmarino.com

Jet Edge flyjetedge.com Karma Automotive karmaautomotive.com Malibu Country Mart malibucountrymart.com

TravelStore Inc. travelstore.com White House Historical Association whitehousehistory.org

Officine Gullo officinegullo.com/us

Editorial Index PEOPLE Abrams, Jonathan Allen, Byron Anlyan, Peter Backstreet Boys Baker, Jeremiah Bale, Gareth Ballmer, Steve Beastie Boys Beatty, Warren Beckham, David Bell, David Bieber, Justin Bough, Bonin Burr, Chandler Calder, Clive Carbone, Melissa Carey, Mariah Carrigan, Anthony Chervin, Ted Con Funk Shun da Silva Santos, Jr., Neymar Davis, Clive de Diego, Ana Diamond, Edwin Durant, Kevin Earnhardt, Dale Ek, Daniel Fertitta, Tilman Fritz, Ben Geffen, David Giangrande, Justin Jeffrey Grazer, Brian Gucci Mane Guidara, William Hanks, Tom Hannah, Daryl Harrell, Montrezl Harris, Sam Horowitz, Zach Howard, Rance Howard, Ron Humm, Daniel Ibrahimović, Zlatan James, LeBron Jeter, Derek John, Elton Keaton, Michael Keller, Lucas Kennedy, Lesa Frank Kocar, Talia Veronica Kool Moe Dee Levick, Jeff

CSQ SUMMER 2018

114 45 56 55 59 32 56 55 65 32 60 55 58 64 55 114 55 50 46 55 32 55 50 61 60 57 61 72 114 55 50 63 65 106 65 65 57 64 55 65 65 106 32 45, 58 61 55 65 51 56 51 55 60

Levy, Liz Loeb, Michael Machinist, Alexandra Mann, Nick Meltzer, David Messi, Lionel Messler, Jaymee Meyer, Danny Nash, John Nooyi, Indra Pavarotti, Luciano Piazza, Jo Puck, Wolfgang Raja, Omar Renzer, David Risdal, Megan Ronaldo, Cristiano Rosenblatt, David Ryan, Chris Saban, Haim Salke, Jennifer Sinek, Simon Snyder, Scott Spears, Britney Spielberg, Steven Turner, Vernon Wasserman, Lew Weiss, Barry Winkler, Henry Woods, Tiger Zucker, Gillian

52 58 52 52 51 32 61 106 66 BB 65 53 106 53 54 66 32 60 115 55 45 66 59 55 65 61 65 55 65 114 56

Classic Car Club Manhattan 37 Complex Network 52 Crustacean 111 Design Republic 49 Disney 65 Don Angie 112 Dreamworks 55 Eleven Madison Park 106 Embraer 32 Entertainment Studios 45 FIFA 44 FOX Sports 57 Gatorade 61 Golden State Warriors 61 Google 60 Gulfstream 32 HBO 55 Herman Miller 49 House of Highlights 53 ICM Partners 46 Imagine Entertainment 64 Intercontinental Resort La Moana 76 International Speedway 57 Corporation IVP 61 Jaeger-LeCoultre 39 Jive 55 Jonathan Club 37 Lamborghini 34 Landry’s Inc. 72 Locanda Verde 113 Los Angeles Clippers 56 Los Angeles Lakers 30,44 Made Nice 107 Make It Nice 106 Hospitality Group Mammoth Media 51 Mandarin Oriental 71 Marvel 45 MCA Music Publishing 55 Milk & Honey Music 50 Mondelēz International 58 National Music Publishers 55 Association NBA 56 NBC 57 New York Yankees 61 NFL 57 Nobiskrug 36 NoMad 106 Patek Philippe 38 Pegasus Capital Advisors 55 PepsiCo. 59 Philippe Starck 38

Editorial Index

COMPANIES Academy Awards AEG Global Partnership AeroMobil Alphabet Amazon Studios AOL Auto Club Speedway Bavel Billboard Bleacher Report BMG/Bertelsmann Bombardier Bonin Ventures Brando Resort Bryant Stibel Venture Cal IV Entertainment Cessna

64 52 32 61 45 60 56 111 55 49 55 32 58 76 61 55 32

Porsche 35 Post Oak Hotel 72 Pride Mega Yachts 36 Quail Lodge 79 Richard Mille 39 Rios Clementi Hale 48 Rolex 38 Rolls-Royce 34 Ruder Interactive 59 Saban Capital Group 55 Samsung 61 Scratch Bar & Kitchen 110 Simon & Schuster 67 Somni 110 Sound Exchange 55 Spark & Riiot 50 Spirit Music Group 54 Spotify 60 STAPLES Center 52 Studio Collective 37 Tangram 48 The Players’ Tribune 60 The Pool 112 The Weather Channel 45 Universal Publishing Music Group 55 Vacheron Constantin 38 VaynerSports 52 Waldorf Astoria 70 Warner Brothers 55,64 Weber Shandwick 58 Zoomba Group 55

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My only thought as CEO is about the business and the employees. It’s been interesting as a first time CEO to see how your perspective in terms of what’s important to you shifts.

When I’m able to entertain and evolve people into a better state of mind, that’s when I feel we did a good job. Ultimately, I’m in the feelings business!

I stalked [Steve Balmer]! I was absolutely convinced that this was the most exciting opportunity for somebody in the sports business. I thought if he would just meet me, I was certain he’d hire me.

Jeff Levick

Brian Grazer

Gillian Zucker

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We are lucky enough to have a deep bench of ambitious talent, and part of our strategy is to watch them thrive. They commit themselves fully to our business and our ethos, and we want to give them opportunities—to watch them grow is to watch our business grow.

The truth is the people’s love for music never went away.

Music plays an important role in people’s lives. It’s how you remember special moments.

Now people with a passion for music have even more tools, like streaming services, to discover and enjoy music.

When you first start out as a young chef you don’t think about empires—you think about each day, about small goals you can achieve and build upon.

Will Guidara

David Renzer

Daniel Humm

59

61

64

Your text feed is the new browser—email is dead. A whole generation doesn’t know that email exists. We’re going to have to shift our efforts, as publishers, advertisers, and sales teams, into messaging. That’s the bet I’m making.

No matter what time zone I was in, I would never miss saying goodnight to them before they went to bed. I may have missed it once but it was something I really worked so hard [at] to always talk to my kids.

I don’t mind being on hold with someone’s assistant. In tech, you make your own calls. I like making my own calls. I don’t mind talking to assistants and getting to know assistants, ’cause they’re soon gonna be bosses, right?

Bonin Bough

Jeff Levick

Brian Grazer

130

56

C-Suite Quoted

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Honoring the entrepreneurs who break the mold.

Hats off to the Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2018 Greater Los Angeles finalists!

Our finalists and their inspirational stories took center stage as we celebrated their achievements at our Awards Gala on June 14 — and announced our 2018 winners. To our winners, we wish them the best of luck at the national awards in November!

EY

To learn more about our Greater Los Angeles finalists and winners, or to find out how to nominate someone for 2019, please visit us at www.ey.com/us/eoy/greaterla. On social media, follow @EY_EOYUS for the latest news and updates and join the conversation using #EOYGLA.

2018 Greater Los Angeles finalists AltaMed Health Services Corporation Castulo de la Rocha Arensis, Inc. Julien Uhlig Berkley International Eric Berkley Jeffrey Berkley

FIGS, Inc. Heather Hasson Trina Spear GOAT Eddy Lu Daishin Sugano GoGuardian Advait Shinde Greenspire, LLC David Murray

MediaAlpha Steve Yi NEXT Trucking Lidia Yan Premier Pharmacy Services Stephen Samuel Radiology Partners Dr. Anthony Gabriel Rich Whitney

Headspace Rich Pierson StackCommerce Andy Puddicombe Josh Payne Cacique®, Inc. Insomniac Sugarfina, Inc. Gil de Cardenas Games, Inc. Rosie O’Neill Clipper Corporation Al Hastings Joshua Resnick Brian Hastings Lina Hu Ted Price System1 LLC Clique Brands Inc. Inspire Michael Blend Katherine Power Chuck Ursini Patrick Maloney Brighter, Inc. Jake Winebaum

Factual Gil Elbaz

Maui Brewing Co. Watt Companies Garrett W. Marrero Nadine Watt

Dr. Arie Belldegrun — Master Entrepreneur Award honoree

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