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Aaron Harberts: The Man Behind the Iconic Berg and Harberts Duo

Aaron Harberts is one half of the powerhouse Berg and Harberts duo of the Hollywood writing/producing fame, with over 32 creative credits to their names jointly. As interesting a story as the duo’s friendship is, both add something individually to the equation not through their similarities but their differences. Aaron Harberts, the Iowa farm boy turned entertainment revolutionary, has a lot of story to tell aside from being half of a successful creative team.

Background

Aaron Harberts was born in Iowa on January 20th, 1973. Harberts was raised primarily in Iowa but also spent much of his childhood with family in Florida and Indiana.

While listening to his father, a Presbyterian minister, every Sunday, Harberts would sit and craft stories of his own, later put onto paper. His father’s profession would later become the inspiration for his own career and the company name, Two Presbyterians.

Aaron Harberts has been writing for television and film professionally since 1995, when he moved to Los Angeles post-graduation from Northwestern University with a bachelor’s degree in Communications and Media Studies.

Moving to LA

After having housing fell through while making the move from Chicago to Los Angeles, Harberts found himself living with his collegiate friend, Gretchen Berg, on whose student film he worked as a production assistant at the end of his first year (which was her final year).

While living together, the two started conferring professionally and Gretchen asked him to be her writing partner to get through her current writing block with a difficult project.

While living hand-to-mouth with low-paying PA gigs around town, they were also attempting to break into the difficult business of television/film through well-placed contacts. When not working, they watched countless television shows and movies for research, finding what worked and what didn’t and how they could make those elements their own.

90210 Show and Beyond

Through their toil, they were able to finely-tune and hone their creative craft to perfection. Their first big “break” came partly from hours worked but also from serendipity when an agent found one of their screenplays coincidentally and sent it on to a television executive. From there, the agent offered the two writing positions on the hit-TV show Beverly Hills 90210.

From their time on 90210, they made themselves go-to hires by penning the now-iconic episode where Dylan McKay (Luke Perry) re-emerges and reintegrates into the all-star cast. Within the writing staff, Harberts rose quickly from staff writer to executive story editor with Berg.

After writing the screenplay, Valentine, Berg and Harberts went back to their roots in television. Roswell, the short-lived “cult” favorite show, was their next big project, earning themselves a spot in infamy among science fiction fans and paving the way for other supernaturally bent drama shows.

His writing and production credits with Berg over the last 20 years has grown exponentially, to include hit shows such as Wonderfalls, Pushing Daisies, Pepper Dennis (co-created with Berg), Mercy, Revenge, Reign, and most recently, Star Trek: Discovery.

Personal with Aaron Harberts

While writing and producing, Harberts, an openly gay man, makes sure to incorporate LGBT characters into his writing, earning him acclaim from the LGBT community for his innovative storytelling.

His revolutionary creative method was not making gay/lesbian characters ancillary to main characters but rather giving them stories all their own. One can witness this special, original touch in his most recent project, Star Trek: Discovery, a show he and Berg were show runners on, at the behest of their friend and colleague of Pushing Daisies, Bryan Fuller.

Fuller, Harberts explains to Advocate, was not looking for “Trekkies” (hard-core fans of the Star Trek series) but rather writers with a penchant for character development, which Berg and Harberts both had in spades.

Fuller, the first openly gay showrunner in Star Trek history (Harberts is the second), knew Harberts would give Star Trek: Discovery the professional and personal touch it deserved, particularly for the two openly gay characters on the show, Stamets and Culber. And Harberts delivered on that promise, mirroring much of Stamets and Culber’s relationship after his own real-life marriage to his husband, Scott.

Berg and Harberts continue to write, produce, and create in their base location of LA, bringing to life characters who are deep, thought-provoking, innovative, and fresh.

According to Twitter, Aaron Harberts currently resides in LA with Scott and their cat and enjoys fine dining, poetry, art, film history, championing LGBT causes, and, of course, writing. On July 10th 2019, Harberts announced on his Twitter that he was excited about joining and working on the new show Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist on NBC.

Writers Gretchen Berg and Aaron Harberts and Their Latest Project, Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist – 2019/2020 Television Season

Monica Crowley Biography

Monica Crowley

Mostly known for being a Fox News contributor and commentator on television, Monica Crowley has been a voice that extends thoughts and opinions over a variety of political topics. She was born Sept 19th, 1968 in Fort Huachuca, Arizona (Army base) and is a Republican. She actually grew up in Warren Township, New Jersey, however. Her education is well respected and includes a B.A. in political science from Colgate University as well as a Ph.D. in international relations from Columbia University. Her middle name is Elizabeth and she is a Virgo.

While still a student, one of Monica Crowley’s early jobs was writing letters for President Nixon. She was 22 yrs old at the time and a great start to her career. Initially, she was hired by the Nixon administration as a research assistant. She posted ted an excerpt of her book Richard Nixon and me here. Over the years she began writing more and was an editor advisor/consultant for President Nixon’s final 2 books. They have always been pretty successful by top sellers like Amazon. After Nixon died, she also published 2 books about him. She is a New York Times bestselling author which says a lot about her experience, knowledge, and popular personality. Monica Crowley has written for many news publications including the New York Post, Washington Times, Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, Baltimore Sun, The New Yorker and much more. Previously, she was a commentator for the National Public Radio’s Morning Edition as well as her own podcast known as The Monica Crowley Show.

Monica Crowley is best known for her television career. She joined the Fox News Channel back in 1996 and never looked back. She has discussed all kinds of topics including foreign affairs and headline news. She was taken over the Fox News show, Hannity, filling in for Sean Hannity. She has worked on MSNBC’s Connected with Ron Reagan for 9 months wrapping up the show’s final production which aired December 9th 2005. She continues to have guest appearances on the Fox News Channel. She’s appeared with Bill O’Reilly and Alan Colmes. She provided commentary on Election Day regarding the victory of President Trump in 2016. Soon after, Crowley joined the Trump administration as the deputy national security advisor. Monica Crowley’s sister is Jocelyn Elise Crowley. Jocelyn Crowley was married to the late Alan Colmes who passed away February 23rd, 2017 from Lymphoma.
Last year in March 2017, she decided to join and take on a part-time consulting role with the Douglas Schoen firm working with Ukrainian industrialist and political figure Victor Pinchuk. This required Monica Crowley to register as a foreign agent under the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938.
Her boyfriend is Bill Siegel

Official Website:
www.monicamemo.com

Social Properties:
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Popular Video of Monica Crowley:

 

The Story of Political Analyst Powerhouse Monica Crowley

Monica Crowley (Source: Twitter)

It takes intelligence, wit, class, and sheer determination to rise in the male-dominated ranks of the world of political news. The women who are able to work twice as hard to break into this long-held boy’s club are formidable journalists, talented in their field, and an inspiration to aspiring news personalities across the globe.

Fox News commentator, author, political analyst, foreign affairs powerhouse – Monica Crowley has broken barriers as one of the top political personalities in the United States. How exactly did Crowley rise to power and become one of the most talented political commentators on network television? The story of Monica Crowley is one of hard work, grit, and the success that comes when you fight relentlessly for your dreams. Don’t forget to read more on her biography page on the Emerald City Journal.

Crowley’s Early Life and Education

Crowley was born on September 19th, 1968, into a military family on the Fort Huachuca Base just outside of Sierra Vista, Arizona. She grew up in Warren Township, New Jersey, where she nurtured an early interest in the field of politics. Her family was apolitical while she was a child, and she developed strong conservative views, bereft of outside influence. From the beginning, Monica Crowley was an independent and free thinker.

Crowley’s political aspirations followed her long after she departed Warren Township for Colgate University in Hamilton, New York. At Colgate, Crowley delved headfirst into the world of politics, earning a Bachelor of Arts in political science upon her graduation. After departing Colgate, Crowley obtained a Master of Arts and PhD in International Relations from the prestigious Columbia University in New York City.

As an undergraduate student at Colgate, Crowley sparked her political interests by engaging in correspondence with former President Richard Nixon. As an aspiring and ambitious young Republican, President Nixon saw promise in young Crowley and hired her as a research assistant in 1990, at only 22 years of age.

First Days in the News World

While working for President Nixon, Crowley sharpened her skills as a writer, editor, and media personality. She served as his Foreign Policy assistant and the editorial adviser and consultant for his last two books. Following Nixon’s death in 1994, Crowley published two books on her mentor: Nixon Off the Record: His Candid Commentary on People and Politics and Nixon in Winter. A synopsis with her was provided on Colgate.

By the mid-1990s, Crowley had already published columns and articles in esteemed publications such as The Wall Street Journal, The New York Post, The Baltimore Sun, The New Yorker, The Washington Times, and The Los Angeles Times. Her first regular column in a nationally acclaimed paper ran in The New York Post and began her career as a commentator on National Public Radio’s Morning Edition.

Crowley’s Big Break

In 1996, Monica Crowley got the opportunity of a lifetime. She had already drawn attention for her formidable work with President Nixon as his prolific young protégé, and her columns were receiving national attention from the wider conservative public. In 1996, Crowley met with an opportunity that any young journalist would fight for: a political commentator position for an up and coming national news network known as Fox News.

Crowley joined the Fox News Channel as a foreign affairs and political analyst, a position in which she served until 2017. During the beginning of her career, she also filled in for high-ranking personality Sean Hannity on his own show. Crowley’s work on Fox News garnered a national following and dedicated fanbase, broadcasting her expert analysis to millions across the country.

In 2002, Crowley received an offer for her own radio show, The Monica Crowley Show, a popular podcast that is still on the air, sixteen years and counting. Crowley also got offers for multiple positions on popular news networks and daytime shows, including MSNBC’s Connected: Coast to Coast, Imus in the Morning, The McLaughlin Group, and The Five.

Monica Crowley Today

Following her rise to power on the Fox News Network, Crowley has appeared on multiple radio shows and television networks. She co-hosted the MSNBC television show Connected: Coast to Coast with Ron Reagan, son of former President Ronald Reagan. In addition, Crowley appeared as a recurring guest on the radio show Imus in the Morning and hosted MSNBC’s partner broadcast, The Best of Imus in the Morning.

She has served as a guest host for Bill O’Reilly’s television show The O’Reilly Factor and on his podcast. Crowley also appears as a guest host on Fox’s opinion show The Five. In addition, she played herself on Netflix’s award-winning television show House of Cards.

Today, Crowley is an esteemed writer, journalist, radio host, and political commentator. She left Fox News in 2017 and currently writes columns for publications such as The Hill, The Washington Times, and London Center. She is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, remaining active in the political world. In addition, Crowley is a part-time consultant with the firm of Douglas Schoen (Photo Instagram). She lectures at Yale, Columbia, Emory, Rutgers, and MIT.

Monica Crowley rose through the ranks of the male-dominated news world, making a name for herself due to her tenacity and expert political analysis. It’s no wonder that Monica Crowley is an inspiration to aspiring journalists everywhere.

Vincent Cirrincione Biography

Vincent Cirrincione’s Life and Impact: From Modest Beginnings to Entertainment Icon

Vincent Cirrincione is an American producer and talent manager best known for his discovery of now-famous names such as Oscar award winner Halle Berry and Empire starlet Taraji Henson. This media mogul, however, came from humble beginnings.

Early Life

Born in Brooklyn, New York on May 31st, 1947, Vincent Cirrincione was raised by his two Italian grandparents. Much of his early life, he lived in his family’s row house on Avenue U in Marine Park. His grandparents, grocery store owners, had a profound impact on young Vincent and instilled in him a love of work and a thirst to succeed in life.

Vince remembers fondly a time in his youth, working part-time at his grandparents’ grocery store, when he would sneak into Ebbets Field with his friends because they were unable to afford tickets.

To make money to afford a ticket, he started selling Christmas trees during the holidays and realized if he faced the best side of the tree toward customers they would be more prone to buy it. He knew, from this experience, he was “a born salesman.”.

Throughout his childhood, Vincent dreamed of one day becoming a talent scout and agent for big-name entertainment acts in Hollywood.

Vietnam War Era and Employment

By the time Vincent graduated high school, the Vietnam War had already begun. Vincent was his mother’s caregiver at the time and so he was able to defer being drafted immediately. Eventually, as he recalls, he “gave up” and entered the draft anyway but, fortunately, he was not called up for service.

When Vincent found a real job, he started from the bottom as a “back room” worker of the investment firm, White, Weld & Co. on Wall Street. He gained valuable on-the-job insight from his time there, learning about stock trading well before computers traded stocks and bonds.

While staying at a friend’s house in White Lake, New York in 1969, he worked as a food vendor at what became known as one of the most famous music festivals in the world: Woodstock. From this job, he experienced entertainment up-close and personal but still was on the outside edges of it when he longed to be inside.

Foray Into Jazz Fusion

Vincent Cirrincione would soon get his chance to work in the entertainment industry. Shortly after Woodstock when he was promoting the singer/songwriter/multi-instrumental visual artist Captain Beefheart at the The Anderson Theater. While trying to find an opening act, he heard about Larry Coryell, a jazz musician who was playing a gig at a local club called “Slugs.”

Vincent went and listened to Larry’s set and instantly fell in love with Coryell’s special brand of jazz which would later become known as “jazz fusion”, by transitioning from acoustic to electric guitar within a song. Coryell would later be known as “the godfather of jazz fusion.”

Vincent convinced Larry to sign with him and became his manager. During this time, Vincent worked out of an office at Vanguard Records. He went from manager to executive producer and is responsible for Larry and his band, The Eleventh House’s, hit albums of the time.

Vince later would argue in the New York Supreme Court to secure a deal for Larry to sign with another label when Vanguard Records would not allow Larry to move on from his contract, citing the “reserve clause.” Vince fought for Larry’s right to switch labels if he so chose, and they won.

$400 Dollars and a Closet Office

With his dreams of TV/Film talent managing still in his sights, Vincent borrowed $400 dollars (which would be approximately $1,383.51 today) and started work in a literal closet in friend Doug Yeager’s apartment. The apartment was right across the street from the historic Studio 54 from the disco era. While in his cramped office, he made “cold calls” to TV producers and executives to get his foot in the door.

Traveling With Peter Pan Teens

Because of his tireless efforts, Vincent was able to secure employment with a talent agency for kids. His job was to travel with the young actors and actresses on the road as a guardian as they performed in Peter Pan (starring Sandy Duncan). This experience, much like the back room of the investment firm in the 1960s, gave him real-world insight into the world of entertainment. He fought for the teens in the production to have good accommodations and meals when they were traveling.

Discovering Halle Berry

Vincent then traveled to Pittsburgh to meet with Donna Belajac, who was a casting director for television and film productions. While in the city, he offered a free seminar for young actors and actresses, where he met former ice skaters Julie Benz and Sandra Ferguson. He was able to get Sandra a recurring role on the popular daytime TV soap opera “Another World.”

A director in the area asked Vincent if he knew of anyone like Sandra for an African-American character for a show he was producing. Sandra then told Vincent about her friend, actress Halle Berry. The rest, as the world would soon see, would be history and now Halle Berry is a household name in television and film, and the first African-American woman to win an Academy Award for Best Actress.

From Halle Berry to Industry Icon

While working as Halle Berry’s manager, Cirrincione was able to secure her roles in dynamic career-defining films such as Spike Lee’s Jungle Fever.

Finding work for Berry was not difficult after that, and he produced 1998’s hit story about Dorothy Dandridge, the first African-American woman to be nominated for an Academy Award, with Berry in the title role. Berry would later go on to win the Golden Globe and Emmy Awards for her acting. Vincent received an Emmy nomination for his role as a producer.

Along with his career since setting up his LA offices in 1991, Vincent has been the manager behind many blockbuster movies, such as Lackawanna Blues, Unthinkable, and Supremacy. He has also been the guiding force behind many successful African-Americans in the film industry besides Berry, such as Justin Smollett, Taraji P. Henson, and director Princess Monique.

Today, the 70-year-old Cirrincione enjoys a quiet life in Los Angeles, preferring still to be behind the scenes, working to make sure everyone in the industry, especially people of color, get a “fair shake” and an opportunity to succeed. His overall goal? To make it so no one of talent has to work as hard as he did in his youth to break into the entertainment industry, no matter their skin color. His efforts have had a lasting and positive impact on the television and film community and will continue to do so for years to come. [IMDb]

Sharon Bush Philanthropic Work and Business Connections

Sharon Bush

Philanthropy can be the most rewarding work a person can do in their lifetime. The most rewarding work is the work we do for others in crisis or need. There are few and far people that focus on charitable works but some of those people have been working for decades to help others. People like Sharon Bush, who has worked for over four decades helping others across the globe. Her altruism extends across different continents all over the world. She has become very well known as an accomplished philanthropist focusing on bringing resources to women, children and families everywhere there is help needed. She has won a variety of awards and has received recognition for her charitable works from a multitude of organizations.

Sharon Smith Bush has done work with numerous philanthropic organizations, promoting the ideals of love and family. Across her various efforts, she’s worked to help numerous causes, including education, pollution remediation, and other nonprofit organizations. Her contributions have helped further advance these causes, helping people around the world.

The role that philanthropy plays in society is very important. The definition of philanthropy is the love of humankind and the purpose is to improve the well-being of humankind. There is nothing nobler than an individual who dedicates their time, money and energy into improving the lives of others. It provides opportunities because it supports projects and efforts that otherwise might not have gained widespread support. Philanthropists are key to making sure that everyone in society benefits regardless of their circumstances. Sharon Bush has focused on dedicating her life to her philanthropic work and it is such an important part of her life that her children have even taken up their own charitable and philanthropic works.

Sharon Bush is a resident of New York City and a graduate of the University of New Hampshire.  She has three children Lauren Bush, Ashley Bush, and Pierce Bush.  Previously married to Neil Bush the son of George H. W. Bush and the late Barbara Bush.

Sharon has written about raising philanthropic children, and what her insight is to keep children grounded. She believes that charity starts in the home, to teach without technology (relating to those you’re around, and engaging in true human connection), walking your talk as a parent, showing children the real world, and learning what a child’s passions are and pursuing them in a way where they can positively impact others. Through Sharon’s example of philanthropy and engaging in meaningful work, it is no surprise that her children followed in her footsteps.

As noted, Sharon Smith Bush has three children who all in their own way have made a difference in the world. Her children Lauren Bush Lauren, Ashley Bush, and Pierce Bush have taken her example to heart. You can read more about here children below. In short, all three children spend their time doing charitable works both nationally and internationally. Their mother was a huge inspiration to them growing up.

The Karitas Foundation

Growing up the children watched as their mom built her own non-profit called The Karitas Foundation, which sold kid’s toys and clothing. It was her first venture into philanthropic work. The profits from those sales went to shelters that focused on caring for homeless and abused children. They were young when Sharon Bush started the foundation and they spoke later in life of how much they learned empathy and morals watching their mother start this foundation.

The idea for The Karitas Foundation came from Sharon’s time as a teacher in an inner city elementary school.  She became a teacher after she received her teaching degree in 1975 from the University of New Hampshire. On a daily basis, she witnessed the struggle of her students and how much it affected them in the classroom. She vowed to dedicate herself to helping children in dire or harsh circumstances. She vowed to help these children grow, learn and thrive. Her inspiration for The Karitas Foundation grew out of her own personal experiences with these children. The sale of licensed children products through The Karitas Foundation went to nationally recognized children’s relief organizations. Not only was money raised but awareness for the plight of homeless and disadvantaged children was raised through her efforts.

The Knowledge is Power Program

Another organization that Sharon currently contributes her time to is the Knowledge is Power Program. This organization works to bring schools to under-served communities, and working to better support the children that live in them. Currently, the KIPP serves a network of schools in these areas, and Sharon sits on the board for the program, helping to direct and further develop its efforts.

Sharon Bush Awards

Sharon Bush was awarded the Mother of the Year Award from the Hale House for her work with children who are deemed at risk. Clara Hale founded the organization in 1969 and was a humanitarian who received many awards for her work with at-risk children. The Hale House has undergone some changes but their mission is the still the same.  Sharon Bush considers receiving this award as one of the most important moments of her life. Her 3 kids were there to help present her with the award. They spoke of how much they learned from their mother about compassion and love by watching her through her humanitarian efforts.

Receiving the Mother of the Year award from the Hale House was a true honor for Sharon Bush. She was so humbled to receive this award by an organization that she respects so much. Sharon Bush admires all the work that Mother Hale and the Hale House have done for families. Mother Hale exemplified the traits of a true philanthropist. She was kind and exuded a nurturing energy. Sharon Bush learned so much from Mother Hale and was so happy to be honored by someone she respected so much.

UN Women for Peace Association

Sharon Bush also promotes charity work through the UN Women for Peace Association. This organization works to improve the lives of women around the world by providing them with education and protection from dangerous conditions like abuse. Sharon hopes to instill in the women who benefit from the UNWFPA the same values that Sharon herself embodies, including strength and compassion.

Teddy Shares

Sharon Bush has also worked to combat world hunger through the Teddy Shares program. This organization, much like the Karitas Foundation, takes profits from sales to donate to those in need. For every Teddy Shares teddy bear purchased, the organization provides Plumpy’Nut supplements to malnourished children in Africa, providing them with vital nutrients. Teddy Shares has also partnered with the Teddy Roosevelt Foundation, Edesia, and FEED, a charitable group founded by Sharon’s daughter, Lauren Bush Lauren. Sharon manages Teddy Shares as both the founder and CEO.

Environmental science has made great strides to improve the impact we have on the earth. Two businesses are working to improve the processes of how to remove waste buildup. Teacher, advocate, and entrepreneur Sharon bush oversees business development for two companies that are working to improve our environmental impact. These companies are called Protein Matrix and GreenStract.

Protein Matrix

Sharon truly believes in being an advocate for disadvantaged families and cares about the well being of children around the world. She is not only working with families but she also cares greatly about the future of the environment. In fact, she is an advocate of environmental studies believes in the removal of waste buildup from the planet as it helps protect the environment. She is in charge of business development for a company called Protein Matrix. Protein Matrix provides a cost-effective, environmentally friendly degreasing product that does not pose a problem to the waste water treatment plants. The goal of the company is to create cleaner water.

Protein Matrix is a product in development to help clean substances from pipelines that can ultimately damage the infrastructure. Specifically, Protein Matrix targets fats, oils, and grease that can build up in pipes over time, causing damage. When these common substances enter drains from food, dangerous consequences for the environment can result. Not only does replacing pipes increase the carbon footprint over time, but broken pipes can lead to sewer spills, damaging water systems and surrounding environments.

Unlike many other cleaners that target these products, Protein Matrix is environmentally friendly, and its use can prevent other harmful chemicals from interacting with the environment. The makeup of Protein Matrix also doesn’t cause damage to pipes while working. The product also has other applications outside of cleaning up sewage systems, such as serving as an environmentally friendly degreaser. Sharon Bush oversees the business development for this company, supporting its efforts.

Sharon is an amazing example of leading by example. She has spent her whole life helping others and hopes that her legacy will serve as an example of the power of how one person can make a difference through serving others. She is an important example of how one person can make a difference with their actions. Philanthropy is key to community development and it is an important way to help those that struggle or are considered disadvantaged. Sharon Bush has made it her goal in life to serve as an example for others and to inspire others to do the same.

GreenStract

She also is in charge of business development for GreenStract another company that focuses on a cost-effective and non-toxic way to help clean up environmental waste.

GreenStract is another environmentally conscious company that Sharon Bush oversees business development for. GreenStract is a chemical technology company that removes harmful waste from storage tanks. GreenStract uses a plant-based solution to remove bad buildups such as petroleum, coal tar, and creosote. The company is based in Springfield, Massachusetts.

In addition to her work with Protein Matrix, Sharon also oversees much of the business development for GreenStract. This company works to help boost the environment through tending to storage tanks. Where Protein Matrix focuses on sewer system buildups, GreenStract instead gears towards removing buildup that results from coal tar, petroleum, and creosote.

Much like with Protein Matrix’s effect on pipes, removing these harmful buildups can help extend the lifetime of these storage tanks. It can also make these tanks safe to use for other substances that would otherwise become harmed or impacted by the existing buildup. GreenStract, as the name implies, uses an entirely plant-based solution, reducing the environmental impact of its manufacture and use. It’s also a cost-effective solution.

While Sharon acknowledges that it will take much larger changes in our habits to promote a better ecosystem and protect the planet in the long-term, she’s chosen to support the efforts of products that can help promote sustainable living habits while helping the environment. Her support for not one, but two of these companies (especially amongst her other efforts) shows how she’s willing to act on her beliefs.

With her personal investment in so many causes, it’s easy to see how Sharon Bush has embodied the ideal of love into her work, and the dedication to helping children shows how she wishes to encourage family outside her own. Even so, she has remained dedicated to her children, helping to instill them with the same values of compassion, no matter what challenges she faces in life. And, if her history is anything to go by, the work she’s done so far is only the beginning.

It is vital that we continue to invest in learning and improving existing systems to lead them to more environmentally sound solutions. Protein Matrix and GreenStract are cost-effective and non-toxic solutions to a cleaner environment.

Neil Bush

Neil Bush studied at Tulane University graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in international economics and a master’s degree in business administration. He is the fourth of six children born to the former president and first lady. Neil Bush has focused on the energy industry and international business for much of his career. Starting his career with Amoco Production Company, which we now know as BP, he later moved to companies that look for oil both in the states and abroad. Neil Bush has been involved in international development with China and the Middle East. His business has also taken him abroad to Hong Kong and Singapore. Mr. Bush serves as chairman of the Point of Light board of directions. The organization aims to encourage and prepare volunteers to support and help their communities. He is also chair of the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy foundation.

Sharon Bush’s Children

Lauren Bush is Neil Bush and Sharon Bush’s eldest daughter. She studied at Princeton University graduating with a degree in anthropology. Today she is the CEO and Co-Founder of FEED Project, which was founded in 2007. The project is focused on the issue of hunger and widening access to food in some of the most improvised places around the world. Lauren Bush traveled to impoverished countries around the world and saw first-hand how missing a school meal impacts a learning environment and ability to focus. Products bought through FEED go to fund lunches in schools. Lauren is married to David Lauren, the son of fashion designer Ralph Lauren. The two married in Colorado in 2011 and now have two sons. Lauren also spent time in the fashion world both as a designer and model.

Pierce Bush is the second-oldest child of Sharon. He is the CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters Lone Star, a non-profit organization that works with children by matching them to amazing mentors. Bush has held this position since 2015. Pierce Bush is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin where he studied American Studies.

Ashley Bush is the youngest of the three children. Her interests are geared toward film. She has produced several shorts and has worked on the set of several Netflix films. She has worked as a director, crew, writer, cinematographer, editor, and product designer.

Events featuring Sharon Bush:

Philanthropist Sharon Bush to Host Cristo Rey Network Fundraiser

Philanthropist Sharon Bush will be hosting the annual Cristo Rey Network fundraiser on April 4th, 2019.  The funds raised at the gala will go towards empowering and supporting students and families in low-income communities across the country. The event will take place in Palm Beach, Florida at the Wally Findlay Gallery.

Cristo Rey School Network

The Cristo Rey School Network is unique in that the school structures combines four years of rigorous college preparatory courses with four years of professional work experience to prepare students for both education and career. The network includes over 35 Catholic schools that serve approximately 12,000 students in 21 states and Washington D.C., making it the largest school network in the country that focuses on low-income students. The schools puts an emphasis on Catholic educational values and serves students who are economically disadvantaged. An impressive 90% of students go on to enroll in higher education after graduation as first-generation attendees. According to the Cristo Rey School website, “The Cristo Rey Network strengthens the competence, confidence, and aspirations of their students and gives them the foundation to help them lead fulfilling lives and to advance the common good of the world.”

Sharon began her career working as a teacher in an inner-city school after graduating from the University of New Hampshire. She saw firsthand the inequality the students were up against when it came to accessibility of resources and educational outcomes. Since her start in education, she has continued to foster a philanthropic outlook and used her skills to help others.

Sharon Bush took initiative to start several companies and foundations that help children.  One of these ventures is called Teddy Shares. When a teddy bear is purchased from Teddy Shares, a Plumpy’Nut supplement is given to children who need nourishment. She has sat on multiple boards including Knowledge is Power Program (KIPP) and the UN Women for Peace Association (UNWFPA). She oversees business development for two environmentally conscious companies, Protein Matrix, and GreenStract. She currently works as the Director of Public Relations and Fundraising at Cristo Rey.

Sharon Bush’s background and philanthropic work make her a natural fit to host the Cristo Rey Network fundraiser. “I am thrilled to be hosting this event for the Cristo Rey Network. I am passionate about helping children, and Cristo Rey has transformed the lives of many by giving a quality education to children that come from limited means,” she said in a recent interview with the Digital Journal.

Sharon is a long-time resident of New York. When she is not busy overseeing her business ventures, she enjoys spending time with her children and grandchildren.  She passed on her servant-leadership qualities to her three children, who have each invested their time in service-oriented work.

Cut Your Cable And Start Streaming – How To

Cutting Cable Cord Streaming Services

With streaming services like Amazon Video, Netflix, and Hulu, consumers have changed the way they view movies and television shows. Paying for Comcast is a thing of the past to cut the cord and consider these options. Gone are the days of sitting on the couch and flipping through different programs. These streaming services offer consumers more options, flexibility, and power over how and when they want to watch their programs. Each service has its own story and rise to popularity and different offerings for a unique viewing experience.

Amazon Video

The creation of Amazon Video was led by Hollywood Executive Roy Price, who made the transition from Los Angeles to Seattle to get Amazon Video off the ground. Amazon Video has transitioned from its original framework and has grown immensely in what it offers consumers. The service debuted on September 7, 2006, as Amazon Unbox in the United States. Currently, Amazon Prime members can subscribe to over 100 premium channels like HBO, SHOWTIME, and STARZ, as well as specialty channels like Acorn TV, PBS Kids, and Heera. What’s great about the service is you only pay for the channels you want, watch anywhere, and cancel anytime. Cable is not required. Prime Video is available on its own for $8.99 per month. It offers streaming access to thousands of movies and TV shows. The ability to download shows on a tablet or phone for offline viewing is also available. The Prime packages also include free two-day shipping from amazon.com, unlimited ad-free streaming of Prime Music and unlimited photo storage in Amazon Cloud Drive. Amazon is located in Seattle, Washington.

Amazon Video knew that they were not the only streaming service available, and to create engaging content to compete with others, Amazon Studios was created. Amazon Studios is a division of Amazon, which focuses on developing television shows, distributing and producing films, and comics from online submission. Scripts for Amazon Studio television and film are submitted through online submissions to Amazon. They are reviewed and rated by other readers in a crowd-sourced fashion, and by Amazon staff. In a 2012 interview with WIRED, Roy Price was asked what he is trying to do at Amazon Studios. He answered, “We are trying to do two things. One is to create opportunities for film and TV creators, and the other is to create great new movies and TV shows for our customers.” With Prime, you already have access to a huge library of movies and TV shows at no additional cost, including award-winning Amazon Originals like Manchester by the Sea, The Man in the High Castle, The Grand Tour, and Mozart in the Jungle.

In 2017, Amazon Studios became the first streaming media service to have an Oscar Best Picture nomination, earning it for Manchester by the Sea. The film The Salesman was nominated and won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Film. Manchester by the Sea was nominated for a total of six Academy Awards, winning two Oscars, including Best Actor for Casey Affleck and Original Screenplay for Kenneth Lonergan.

With all that Amazon Video and Amazon Studio have accomplished up to this point, it’s no surprise that Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos wants the same thing from his streaming shows that he wants from every other part of his company, overarching success, and domination. Roy Price, says Bezos and other senior Amazon management team members have made it clear that they want more attention-grabbing shows. In other words, something to put them ahead of other competitors. In an interview with Variety, Price said that Amazon Studios would refocus on “big shows that can make the biggest difference around the world,” and specifically cited Game of Thrones as a model. An excellent model to work with, as that show has become a cultural phenomenon. To take their entertainment services to the next level, Amazon will have to continue to come up with creative and gripping new content. As people become more discerning in what they watch, Amazon will have to understand its user base to create a show and concept that draws in subscribers. View Roy Price’s LinkedIn Professional Profile or full biography here.

Netflix

Netflix is an American entertainment company founded by Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph on August 29, 1997, in Scotts Valley, California. It specializes in and provides streaming media and video-on-demand online and DVD by mail. It is headquartered in Los Gatos, California.

In 1998 Netflix launched the first DVD rental and sales site called Netflix.com. In 1999, Netflix started a monthly subscription model, unlimited rentals for a single monthly rate. In 2000, Netflix offered to be acquired by Blockbuster for $50 million, but the offer was declined. Little did Blockbuster know how quickly and successfully Netflix would take off. In the same year, Netflix introduced a personalized movie recommendation system, which uses Netflix members ratings to predict choices for all Netflix members. In 2007, Netflix introduced streaming which allowed members to watch tv shows and movies on their personal computers instantly. In 2008, Netflix partnered with electronics companies to stream on the Xbox 360, Blu-ray disc, and tv step-top boxes. In 2010, Netflix was available on Apple iPad, iPhone, Wii, and other internet-connected devices. In the same year Netflix launched its services in Canada, and by 2016 Netflix was available worldwide.

Netflix has found extreme success with certain television shows. In 2013, Netflix premiered “House of Cards” a series about the corrupt politicians of D.C. and Netflix had invested $100 million for two 13-episode seasons. A huge risk, but one that paid off as the first season earned eight Emmy nominations. The second season earned 13 Emmy nominations. “Orange is the New Black” is another Netflix show that took viewers by storm. An inside look at the inmates of a women’s prison debuted in 2013. This show also received 12 Emmy nominations.

As of the middle of 2014, Netflix had grown to more than 50 million subscribers with a stock price over $400 a share. Today, Netflix is the world’s leading internet entertainment service with over 109 million members in over 190 countries enjoying more than 140 million hours of TV shows and movies per day, including original series, documentaries and feature films. Members can watch as much as they want, anytime, anywhere, on nearly any Internet-connected screen. Members can play, pause and resume watching, all without commercials or commitments.

How the idea of Netflix came about has conflicting views. CEO, Reed Hastings said, In the mid-Nineties, he was said to have rented Apollo 13 from his local Blockbuster Video store and lost it. The penalty for was a heavy $40 fine. Here’s how Hastings told it eight years ago:

“I remember the fee because I was embarrassed about it. That was back in the VHS days, and it got me thinking that there’s a big market out there. So, I started to investigate the idea of how to create a movie-rental business by mail. I didn’t know about DVDs, and then a friend of mine told me they were coming. I ran out to Tower Records in Santa Cruz, California, and mailed CDs to myself, just a disc in an envelope. It was a long 24 hours until the mail arrived back at my house, and I ripped them open, and they were all in great shape. That was the big excitement point.”

While co-founder and former CEO Marc Randolph says, “there was no late fee, no aha moment, just long commutes in Silicon Valley that the pair spent plotting their next venture around the time that Hastings’s first business, Pure Software, merged with Atria, where Randolph worked and sold to another company.”

Whether a late fee, or just late nights and brainstorming sessions, it’s safe to say that Netflix users are pleased that the service exists, and aren’t too concerned whether it was brainstormed in a room with the early creators or because of a late fee. Netflix has revolutionized entertainment and is a household name across America and the world.

Hulu

Hulu was created as a joint venture by NBC Universal, Fox Entertainment Group, and ABC Inc. and was announced in 2007. Hulu launched public access on March 12, 2008. While Amazon Video and Netflix offer a spread of entertainment, Hulu offers a more focused approach and is geared towards television series, carrying current and past episodes of series from its owners’ respective television networks and other content partners. Its headquarters are in Los Angeles, California and service the U.S. and Japan.

One of Hulu’s most successful shows is “The Handmaid’s Tale” which took home five Primetime Emmys and 13 nominations. Hulu also announced its plans to launch seven new original series in the new year. Other Hulu originals include “Future Man,” “I Love You American,” “The Mindy Project,” and “Casual.” Hulu also offers 30 Rock, Buffy, and they also just swiped all the old episodes of Will & Grace, just in time for the revival season on NBC. Hulu’s also a great way to keep up with current network TV if you don’t have satellite, cable or maybe just work late. You can watch the new episode of a show just a day after it airs, as you could before Hulu went subscription-only. Hulu’s videos are only for people inside the U.S. Starting at $5.99 a month for the first year, and $7.99 a month after that. You can also now do a live TV plan for $39.99 a month, which includes many of the programs you would find on cable. These programs include live news, entertainment and sports from 21st Century Fox, The Walt Disney Company, NBCUniversal, CBS Corporation, The CW, Turner Networks, A+E Networks and Scripps Networks Interactive to its offering and making it the only TV service that brings together live, on-demand, originals, and library content all in one place. If you are a lover of television series who just can’t get your schedule to line up with the live showings, this is a perfect solution for you.

It was reported that in 2011, Hulu made $420 million, which was $80 million short of the predicted revenue. Mike Hopkins, who as CEO of Hulu since 2013, has led the company through significant audience growth and the successful launch of Hulu with Live TV, left the company in 2017. Randy Freer has been named CEO. As of April 2017, Hulu has 32 million users.

Whatever you are looking for as an alternative to traditional cable, Amazon Video, Netflix, and Hulu entertain viewers looking for a variety of shows and entertainment experiences. Since their beginnings, it is evident that these companies have shifted and evolved from their early stages. As they continue to develop to keep an edge on their competition, they will continue to adapt to what audiences are looking for in entertainment. With fewer advertisements, more options, and different purchasing packages, these services allow for a consumer to pick what streaming service they want discerningly.

The Farrow Family Feud

Woody Allen Photo

The Farrow family has had a long history of turbulence. The Farrow name has been in the Hollywood spotlight for multiple generations through numerous scandals. Most recently, the two adopted children of actress Mia Farrow and director Woody Allen have been in the spotlight. Moses Farrow and Dylan O’Sullivan Farrow who once shared a childhood home, memories, and life together, are estranged from one another. Moses and Dylan recall different accounts of life growing up in the Farrow household. But the isolated situation that drove a wedge between these adopted siblings is their differing account of what happened in the family home on the day Woody Allen was accused of sexually assaulting Dylan Farrow. For many years, Dylan O’Sullivan Farrow and Moses Farrow were on the same team. They gave statements against their father, and it was clear that the Farrow family was going to stick together to protect Dylan. That is no longer the case. They cohesive family narrative started to breakdown when Moses claimed that Woody Allen never sexually assaulted Dylan Farrow and it was a ploy by his adoptive mother Mia Farrow to get back at Allen for dating her daughter who she co-adopted with previous partner composer Andre Previn.

In 2018 Dylan Farrow talked about the alleged abuse during a TV interview. She has spoken about the sexual assault before, in an interview with Vanity Fair in 2013 and in an open letter published in the New York Times in 2014.

Moses Farrow believes that Dylan’s claims are misinformed and driven by their calculated mother. Dylan O’Sullivan Farrow was furious at her brother for speaking out against her and the events of that day. Both Moses and Dylan have different accounts of what happened on the day in the family house. Moses had spoken out several times about what happened on that day, and how he was able to share more of his truth as an adult compared to when he was younger. Dylan continues to stand by her story. The difference in the story-line these two tell has created a significant strain on their relationship. So much so that Dylan has said that Moses is dead to her. This case has been viewed through the public eye for over 25 years. But both siblings hold their version of the truth close to the chest.

A family divided is not a new concept to the children growing up in the Farrow household. Mia Farrow and brother Ronan Farrow have stood by Dylan through her public claims, and she has received much attention with the recent #MeToo movement, asking the public and the Hollywood realm why Woody Allen was spared. To state the facts, Allen was found not guilty over a 14-month long investigation when the case was first brought to light, and no one has accused him of sexual assault since. Ronan Farrow has been a driving force behind the journalism and news of the movement likely to ensure justice for his sister. But with such different accounts of what happened on that day from multiple parties, the amount of time that has past, and many fuzzy details regarding the case, it’s hard to say with certainty what happened. Moses Farrow details what life was like growing up, as well as details about the day of the alleged abuse. In reaction to continued claims made by his sister, Moses stepped forward protecting his adoptive father and saying that Dylan Farrow was coached and influenced by their mother to make these claims.

Moses Farrow, who is 40 and works as a Family Therapist, was the first child to speak out his sister’s claims. Moses has been quoted in numerous publications about how confusing and frightening it was growing up under Mia Farrow’s rule, and how he was not able to share his truth until he was older and more removed from the situation. Today he has a relationship with his father Woody, and while it has taken him time to get there, his is happy to have his connection back with his father. For years, the Farrow family stuck together to make Allen out as the villain of the situation. It was drilled into the children that Allen was an evil man and this likely informed their decisions about him as adults. However, Moses’s detailed account of the day gives us a fuller understanding of what happened on the day of the alleged abuse, and what life was really like in the Farrow home.

Moses Farrow’s account entitled “A Son Speaks Out” is a 5,000-word document that sheds new light on the family situation. The document fills the public in on many details that have gone unknown. Moses recalls acting as “the man of the house” and monitoring Allen’s every move on the day of Dylan Farrow’s alleged assault, there was never a moment when Allen and Dylan Farrow were alone together. “I deliberately made sure to note everyone’s coming and going. I do remember that Woody would leave the room on occasion, but never with Dylan,” he wrote. “He would wander into another room to make a phone call, read the paper, use the bathroom, or step outside to get some air and walk around the large pond on the property.” Moses was 14 at the time.

As for the day of the alleged abuse, Moses discounts his sisters claims and details the many reasons why Dylan’s testimony against Woody cannot be true. From the size of the space where it was alleged to have taken place, to the presence there, or not, of a toy train-set she claimed to have been looking at. His central claim is that Dylan’s statements were coached and influenced by Mia Farrow and that this is consistent with the way in which the family was brought up. Two nannies and a French tutor were also present during the time of the alleged abuse. Moses goes into detail about who people were behaving, and how nothing about that night added up to the accusations later made. He said there were no complaints by the nannies, Woody and Mia went out to dinner, and Woody stayed overnight in a downstairs bedroom-with, apparently, not abnormal behavior by Dylan, and no hostile reports from any of the grownups.

Moses’s shared his personal experience growing up in the Farrow household. He claims that he was humiliated and physically abused by Mia, once forced to stand naked in the corner of her room, in front of his older siblings, because he cut the belt loops off a new pair of jeans. Mia’s treatment of her children had severe repercussions later in life for them, their psyche, and development as people. Tragically, three of Mia’s adopted children are now dead. One, Thaddeus, committed suicide. Another, Tam, died of an overdose after many years struggling with depression, although Moses speculates that this too was suicide, saying that “of course, blindness didn’t impair her ability to count.” Another sister, Lark, apparently struggled with addiction and died, aged 35. It’s an unsettling thought that this many of Mia’s children have passed, especially given the environment Moses describes. What’s odd is that we never hear similar accounts from Dylan or Ronan, who have aligned with their mother over the years. As far as they are concerned their mother is a child-activist, who protects those who don’t have a voice of their own. Maybe they never directly experienced this kind of behavior from their mother, but to have no impact or shared memories with Moses shows just how big of an experience gap the children had. Moses was significantly older than the other two children, Dylan was the victim child, and Ronan was Mia’s biological son, so it might not be so surprising that they had such different memories. Dylan responded to Moses’ essay on Twitter saying: “As I said when he last made these claims, this is an attempt to deflect from a credible allegation made by an adult woman, by trying to impugn my mother who has only ever been supportive of me and my siblings. It’s easily disproven, contradicts years of his own statements, is beyond hurtful to me personally, and is part of a larger effort to discredit and distract from my assault. My brother is a troubled person. I’m so sorry he’s doing this.”

Dylan and Mia have since renounced Moses as part of the family. Moses stated that public perception was fundamental to his mother, and one of her biggest fears was that people would uncover she was not the saint she was portrayed as. Moses’s narrative casts a dark shadow about the upbringing these adopted children experienced. As children, fear is a powerful tool, and if you are an adopted child, the fear to abide and stay in a family is a powerful influence to do a mothers bidding. Moses ends his post by appealing directly to his sister. “To my sister Dylan: Like you, I believe in the power of speaking out. I have broken my silence about the abuse inflicted by our mother. My healing began only after getting away from her. And what she has done to you is unbearable. I wish you peace, and the wisdom to understand that devoting your life to helping our mother destroy our father’s reputation is unlikely to bring you closure.”

Moses does not call his sister out as a manipulator or ill-intended, but rather that she was influenced and molded to do her mother’s bidding. There have been several commentators on this family that have said Dylan honestly could believe she is telling the truth, even if she was manipulated at a young and tender age. Moses appeals to the controlling nature of his mother to explain the situation and how it was all concocted to smear Allen’s name.

What’s sad and somewhat odd, is how different accounts these two have. Moses’s account is convincing that it was not a happy household to grow up in, while it seems like Dylan has clung to her mother for most of her life. It’s unlikely that Moses and Dylan will ever reconnect or be able to bridge this family gap. While they continue in their own lives, it seems doubtful that the siblings will be able to cultivate a relationship again. What is likely is that this isn’t where the story will end. With more information coming out to the public, and the use of social media, I’m sure we will hear more from the Farrow family. It took over twenty years to hear from one sibling of the family, so only time will tell what kind of information comes out next. What’s for sure is that one family holds many versions of the truth and are willing to go to great lengths to defend their claims.

**Visitor submitted article.

How Streaming Services Have changed the Way We Watch TV

Amazon Video Service and Roy Price

There was a time where a typical Friday night involved a trip to a Blockbuster Video or Hollywood video to try and rent the hottest new release before anyone else did. There was always limited number of new releases and there were always a very limited number of the classics. It was always frustrating to try and find the exact movie to watch. Choices were limited and overall disappointment about not having the opportunity to watch what one wanted when they wanted became the driving force in the next evolution of how we watch TV. Cable networks also only provided limited viewing options and charged high prices for the privilege.

Netflix and Amazon Video radically changed how we watch TV. Not only did these streaming services put multi-million dollar companies like Blockbuster out of business but they also changed how the average person watches TV. Streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Video provided unlimited access to large amounts of movies and television shows. They also provided access to movies and television shows from different parts of the world. Suddenly, subscribers to these services had unlimited access to new and exciting shows. Shows and movies that would have never made it to the standard cable networks or the traditional commercial broadcast networks were made viewable to a large audience.

There are certain individuals who made streaming movies and shows a reality for many households around the world. People like the founders of Netflix and Roy Price worked tirelessly to bring about the reality of streaming. It was still such a new and foreign concept that at first there was a question whether streaming videos through the Internet was a viable business model. But individuals like Roy Price, Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph were the forerunners in the streaming entertainment industry.

Netflix is one of the greatest unlikely success stories in the business world. It was founded in August of 1997 by Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph in California. Both men had already experienced success in their respective businesses and decided that they wanted to start their own business. Randolph worked as a marketing director for Hastings’ company, Pure Atria Corporation. Randolph was also a co-founder of MicroWarehouse, which was a computer mail order company. Reed Hastings, a mathematician and computer scientist, sold Pure Atria in 1997 for a very cool $700 million. At the time, it was the largest acquisition in Silicon Valley history. The two men came up with the idea for Netflix while their morning commute between their homes in Santa Cruz and the Pure Atria’s headquarters in Sunnyvale, California. They both knew that there was a better and cheaper way to have access to movies and TV shows by using the Internet.

Amazon and its business model inspired the basic idea behind Netflix. Both of the founders wanted to offer a service that would sell a large number of items over the Internet using a very similar model but they wanted to strictly ship entertainment items through the Internet. VHS tapes were still very popular at the time but both Hastings and Randolph thought that they were too expensive and too delicate to ship. DVD’s were still a fairly new concept and relatively unheard of during 1997 but both Hastings and Randolph they believed that they had the answer to their problems.

The first test run of Netflix involved mailing a DVD disk to Hastings own house in Santa Cruz. They wanted to test whether they could successfully ship a DVD without it breaking. They wanted to see if their business model of buying and selling DVDs through the Internet was viable and if they could successfully send them through the mail without getting damaged. When they had a successful test run, they decided to take the plunge. They officially launched in April of 1998 with only 30 employees and they had 925 DVD’s available through a pay per rent business model.

It took a few years for Netflix to gain true popularity but once it did, the company decided to move away from the single rental model, where someone could only rent a few DVD’s at a time and move towards a subscription service. They started to offer flat-fee unlimited rentals without having any due dates or late fees. Netflix then approached Blockbuster to offer a buyout of $50 million and Blockbuster turned it down. By 2005, Netflix was shipping 1 million DVD’s per day.

Netflix was doing really well, but the company knew that times were changing. Blockbuster was struggling and the DVD market was starting to lag. Netflix took note of the popularity of Youtube and they saw that streaming video was the wave of the future. Data speeds and bandwidth costs had become much more affordable. Netflix started to move away from the DVD rental industry and they began to focus on the video on demand market. Even though DVD sales fell sharply, Netflix continued to grow.

When Netflix started to focus on the video on demand market, their customer base also grew exponentially. By the end of 2013, they had 33.1 million subscribers in the United States. By the beginning of the fourth quarter in 2014, Netflix said they had subscribers in over 40 countries and were looking to expand to other countries in the world. All those subscribers were moving away from DVD’s and traditional cable companies because Netflix offered more options. Netflix also was working on offering new and unique content from around the world.

People were so attracted to Netflix in the beginning because it was a cheap and easy way to get a DVD but the company really grew when they decided to expand their video on demand offerings. Soon, companies like Blockbuster and Hollywood Video declared bankruptcy and the rise of Netflix paved the way for other entertainment companies to focus on the video on demand industry.

Netflix was inspired by Amazon but soon Netflix would inspire Amazon to add their own streaming service. Amazon has become the largest retailer in the world. What started as a marketplace for books has exploded into the easiest and fastest way to get almost anything. People can buy electronics, clothes, toys, food and so much more on Amazon. When Amazon saw the overwhelming popularity of Netflix they knew the next step in their evolution as a company, was to start offering streaming services.

Amazon has been selling DVD’s and VHS tapes for a long time. The giant retailer knew that the VHS market was dying out but they thought that the DVD market would have more longevity. Netflix changed this and suddenly the DVD market was dying. People in general didn’t want to buy and store DVD’s so when the option of streaming movies and television shows through the Internet became available, it was widely appealing. Amazon debuted their Amazon Video in September of 2006 to help create another avenue for streaming movies and shows.

Roy Price already had a long and successful career before he was brought on board at Amazon. He had already established himself as a power player in the Entertainment industry and Amazon knew that he was the perfect person to helm their latest project. After a successful career at Disney and as a consultant for some of the largest firms in the world, Price was eager to be working on such a new and exciting part of the next evolution in how people around the world watch television.

Price first started as a Group Product Manager at Amazon Video on Demand and quickly moved up to Director. He was an instrumental part in the creation of Amazon Video on Demand and Amazon Studios. His time at Amazon Video on Demand helped Amazon to become a direct competitor with the reigning champ Netflix. When he was promoted to director, he developed and launched Amazon Studio along with developing and launching new and original series for Amazon.

The first incarnation of Amazon Video was Amazon Unbox. The service grew rapidly by expanding its library and then they added the Prime Video Membership when Prime was created. In 2011, Amazon rebranded service as Amazon Instant Video and added over 5,000 movies and TV shows for Amazon Prime members. Eventually the name was shortened to just Amazon Video in 2015. Not only did they change the name but this also ushered in the largest expansion that the service has ever seen.

Not only was Amazon Video focusing on streaming new and exciting content but also they started to move towards offering live sports. This last April, Amazon was the first streaming service to acquire non-exclusive rights to live stream a portion of NFL’s Thursday Night Football. They also acquired the British television rights to the ATP World Tour and the deal is set to run through 2023. This was a huge win for Amazon because the sports watching demographic was still relying on getting their sports predominately through cable. Most sports fans still pay for cable because that is the only provider of live sporting events. But Amazon is making moves to change that and they plan on continuing to work on deals in order to stream all available sporting events.

The introduction of streaming services rapidly changed how the average person watches TV. Cable packages in 1995 cost about $22 month and now depending on your cable company, can cost upwards to $80 per month. US cable TV has experienced a steady price increase every year in spite of economic downturns. The cable price increase has outpaced inflation every single year for over the past twenty years. For anyone who has owned cable over the years, the yearly price increase was difficult for most families.

When Amazon and Netflix both started to offer their streaming services, both offered television and movies for a lot less than cable. They also began to focus on creating original content and featuring shows and movies from around the world. People were exposed to content that most cable companies would have never put into production. Large broadcast companies stuck to formulaic plotlines and characters for most of their shows. With the introduction of Netflix and Amazon, doors were opened to a wide variety of content with different themes and plotlines.

These streaming services started to move people away from basic and premier cable and from the once popular stereotypical shows to new and unique shows. Netflix and Amazon both offered streaming services for far cheaper than traditional cable companies. Both streaming services also offered a full season of the shows to be watched in complete succession. Being able to stream almost any show or movie at anytime was widely attractive to viewers.

There has been a revolt in the entertainment industry being led by consumers. Most consumers don’t want to pay exorbitant prices to watch their favorites shows and movies. Streaming services offered a way for people to watch their favorite show and movies at much cheaper prices. Both Amazon and Netflix have huge libraries filled with lots and lots of titles. Premier cable channels like HBO would only offer a run of the same 10-15 movies for months on end. Options were limited and Netflix and Amazon offered far more options. Consumers also want new and exciting content. Some of the most popular shows currently are original programing produced by either Amazon or Netflix.

It has become apparent that people were ready for something different. The popularity of Netflix and Amazon has blown up over the last 7 years and it has been predicted that these companies could put cable companies out of business. Award winning television shows and movies are being developed and produced by streaming companies and they are the most watched shows and movies on the planet. Cable companies are trying to keep up with the demand that streaming companies have created but they have not created the same magic. Streaming companies are revolutionizing the entertainment industry and there is no doubt that both Netflix and Amazon will lead the way to the next development in entertainment.

CEO’s Weigh in on Company Leadership Styles

Leadership

It’s no coincidence that successful companies are led by those with developed leadership skills. Leadership comes from the top and trickles down the chain of command. But what is the recipe for leadership success? When we take a look at international companies that are successful, we can learn from the leadership styles of CEOs to see what qualities and styles are necessary to run a company. While each brings their style and experience, it is easy to see commonalities among leadership styles. We can glean what qualities are required from CEOs of companies like Johnson and Johnson, LinkedIn, and Zappos to learn how successful companies are built and maintained.

Johnson & Johnson is headquartered in New Brunswick, New Jersey, the consumer division being located in Skillman, New Jersey. Johnson & Johnson creates products like Talcum Powder and other Baby Powder products. The corporation includes some 250 subsidiary companies with operations in 60 countries and products sold in over 175 countries. Chairman and CEO of Johnson and Johnson, Alex Gorsky says that his leadership success was rooted in his time spent as a cadet at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. As the chief of a $372 billion company, Gorsky said that corporate success is often driven by three key things: Innovation, execution and hiring the right people. “It’s about great leaders and great people, and I could not be prouder of the 145,000 employees at Johnson & Johnson who bring the credo, the value system every day to work to do their very best,” Grosky stated.

Gorsky added that Johnson & Johnson takes pride in hiring veterans. “How do you have an attitude where, no matter how high that wall, no matter how thick, you’re going to figure out a way to get the mission done? That’s what veterans represent, and that’s what this place is all about,” he said.

It’s no surprise with Grosky’s military background and commitment to hiring veterans that the company has taken on a new campaigned that is set up to help Veterans. To help combat that statistic, Johnson & Johnson and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) have joined forces to launch the new #BeThere campaign aimed at supporting active and retired service members in need of help and resources.

“The #BeThere campaign, which highlights the importance of engaging our communities to help support veterans and returning service members who may be struggling with the transition back home,” adds Gorsky. “I’m confident that, together, we can give back to the brave men and women who have given so much to our country.” The first step is learning to recognize and reach out to people who may be suffering silently in communities across the country.” Gorsky is a CEO who walks his talk and is invested in those who work around him and is fully aware where his leadership style comes from. He takes the time to give back to worthy causes and support those who serve the country. His brings a holistic and transparent approach to leading. Gorsky’s main leadership lessons for the West Point cadets are the following, find something to do that you’re passionate about, and take care of yourself. “When you enjoy what you’re doing, you’re going to be better, and your people will know that,” he said. “And what’s key in addition to your leadership is making sure that you’re healthy, that you’re fit, and you need to do that not only in the military but in a civilian career so that you can be your very best.”

Another example of flourishing company culture due to great leadership is LinkedIn. Jeff Weiner, The LinkedIn chief executive, knows there is a difference between leadership and management. He defines a manager as “someone who will tell you what to do, while a leader inspires you to do it. According to Weiner, that inspiration is derived from these three things: the clarity of your vision, the courage of your conviction, and ability to effectively communicate those two things. ”

Weiner has also talked about empowering, listening, appreciating, and inspiring as key components to a successful business. These are easy enough to understand, but to implement a company culture can be a real challenge. Weiner has figured out a way to successfully see these company values play out in his company.

Empowering means the flexibility to work remotely, wherever and whenever they can produce the tools they need to do their best work the freedom and psychological safety required to explore new ideas, to experiment, and to express dissenting opinions. Listening as we all know is an art. Not thinking of your next sentence while someone is talking is challenging. Active listen takes intention and practice. To be appreciated is about more than giving credit where it’s due, or telling someone: “Job well done.” Nor is it about flattery or praise for the sake of praising. “True appreciation is looking for the good in others, getting sincere and specific about what you appreciate, and why. It means seeing their potential. To be inspired take time out of your busy schedule to help them with a problem, remain open-minded, happy to try out new ideas, get down in the trenches and join in the dirty work, show your people you’ve got their backs by staying by them even when they make mistakes, do more than tell people where they should go — set the example and show them the way.” Don’t we wish all managers and CEOs had this mentality. It’s no wonder that people who work there have high job satisfaction. Weiner’s style earns raves from his staff. His Mountain View, Calif.-based company, with more than 3,000 employees and 200 million members, consistently ranks as one of the best places to work, earning a 92 percent employee-approval rating in an anonymous survey last year by Glassdoor.com. The adopted mantra of Weiner is “next play,” a phrase borrowed from Duke basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski, who calls it out after every sequence on offense or defense. Weiner explains it as: “Take a minute to celebrate success or reflect on failure, but then move on.”

Zappos CEO, Tony Hsieh takes a different approach to leading than the two CEOs mentioned above. Hsieh’s success came to him in 1999 when his company LinkExchange was acquired by Microsoft in 1999. Hseish takes a little more non-traditional approach to leading and influencing company culture.

Hsieh joined Zappos shortly after the Microsoft buyout. As the company grew and he took over as chief, he worked with his staff to develop the Zappos Family Core Values. They include not only a commitment to customer service, but also the creation of “fun and a little weirdness” and the building of a “positive team and family spirit.”
Jamie Naughton, known around the company as “speaker of the house” at Zappos, says “Our culture was inspired by how he does business and the people he hires and how we all are as a group.” Naughton says Hsieh takes a hands-off approach to leadership that requires effective delegation. “He likes to say that he is more of an architect; he designs the big vision and then gets out of the way so that everyone can make the things happen,” she says.

Although Hsieh brings a more hands-off approach, he is still respected among colleagues. Alex Wilcox is CEO of Irvine, Calif.-based private aviation company JetSuite, in which Hsieh has made a $7 million investment. Even this CEO is learning from the way that Heish leads and works. Hsieh is “an incredible leader,” Wilcox says. “If he is delayed by an external issue or something that we have overlooked, he never raises his voice. He lets us know about the issue and lets us solve it, and is always very receptive to what we have done to solve it. In that way, he has taught me a lot about how to be effective without getting upset, without raising your voice. He’s very quiet, which means that when he does speak, you pay extra attention.”

What we can draw from these CEO’s is a level of investment that is beyond completing a job or keeping a promise. It is about inspiring, reaching, and leading by a dedicated and thoughtful position of power and influence. Creating a company culture where it is okay to make mistakes but to learn and reach higher heights. People in any business need to be encouraged, appreciated, and ultimately nourished to keep the entire engine moving forward. While we can have motivation posters and everyone can repeat the companies’ values, it takes hard work, persistence, and intentionally to put these into action and create a culture that is productive and motivated.

These CEO’ have figured out what makes their people tick, and how to encourage, motivate, and execute. Other company leaders can learn from the words and styles of CEOs like those at Johnson and Johnson, LinkedIn, and Zappos. While these are the framework that the CEOs work from, there is probably so much more going on behind the scenes to put these ideas into action and see them play out in an influential way. And we can also learn that different leadership can still produce impressive results. However, these CEOs know that it is about hiring the right people that they can effectively lead. Because they are aware of their leadership styles, the know how to hire people they can direct, or hire those who are a self-directed, but give them a framework to work within. While these leaders are focused on their business, they are highly invested in the people who work at their companies.

Roy Price Biography

Roy Price

Roy Price comes from a long line of Hollywood talent. It was no surprise that a child of a well-known actress and famous studio chief grew up to lead a revolution in the world of television. Born on July 21st, 1967, Roy Price has made a name for himself by taking one of Seattle’s biggest companies Amazon, an online retailer, and turning it into a movie studio but with a unique twist. What began as a career as a film set assistant, ended with taking Amazon by storm and revolutionizing the way that movies and television series are produced.

Roy Price was born in the epicenter of the movie and television industry, Los Angeles, California. His parents were major names in the industry, Katherine Crawford and Frank Price. He was born amongst Hollywood royalty and this set the tone for the future successes of Roy Price.

His mother, Katherine Crawford, was a well-known actress. She starred in some major Hollywood films like Riding with Death, A Walk in Spring Rain, and the television mini-series Gemini Man. The gorgeous blond had an infectious smile and soon she caught the attention of a well-known player in Hollywood, Frank Price.

Frank Price was from a modest upbringing. He was born in Decatur, Illinois and his family, like many families during this time, suffered during the Great Depression and had to move continuously for work. They landed in California and he was first exposed to the industry when his mother worked as a waitress in the cafeteria at Warner Brothers. When Frank was young, he was able to meet many famous actors and actresses because of his mother’s job. He started his college career at Michigan State University but later transferred to the illustrious Columbia University based on his talent as a writer.

In New York, Frank Price only attended Columbia for a little while before dropping out to work full time as a reader for the CBS-TV Story Department. This was his start in the industry. He soon started to move up the ladder. He shortly became a story editor and writer for CBS-TV in New York from 1951 until 1953. He knew that if he wanted to further his career he would have to move to Los Angeles. He was the story editor at Columbia Pictures from ’53 until ’57 and then from ’58-’59 he worked for Ziv Television Programs. It was soon after that he started to make his way up through the ranks.

He became an associate producer and writer at Universal TV and then soon he made the jump from writer to Studio Executive. After experiencing a lot of success as a Studio Executive, he was named the Vice President of Universal TV. Price was quickly moving up through the industry and was becoming a very high profile individual in Hollywood. In 1971, he was named Senior Vice President but shortly after, was named President and Head of Universal TV and Vice President of MCA, Inc. and he started to revolutionize the way we viewed TV. During that time he became best known for developing the made for TV movie format and the concept of the miniseries. The first ever made for TV movie was produced by Frank Price and was named The Doomsday Flight.

His career continued in an upward trajectory. He became President of Columbia Pictures where he green lighted the popular films The Karate Kid, Ghostbusters, and Kramer vs. Kramer. He then went on to be named the chairman of the MCA Motion Picture Group where he green lighted blockbuster movies like Back to the Future, and Out of Africa. He started his own studio called Price Entertainment but then was approached by Columbia Pictures to come back. He was appointed chairman of the studio and his studio, Price Entertainment, was merged with Columbia. He left Columbia in 1991 but he left a legacy that still stands today.

Roy Price grew up watching his father succeed in Hollywood and learned from the best. He grew up in the shadow of a Hollywood legend but didn’t let it overshadow him. He was exposed to other big names in the industry at a very young age and learned the ins and outs of a very complex industry. He was fortunate that he had a good support system and insider knowledge that helped to catapult him into a successful career in the industry.

Roy Price was born in Los Angeles on July 21st, 1967. He was born to big Hollywood names and grew up having access to Hollywood’s greatest minds and biggest players. He learned a lot about the business from a very early age. It is a very rough industry to break in to and Roy was able to gain knowledge and confidence early on that helped him launch a successful career later in life. He was exposed to working in the industry at a really young age. His first job in the film industry was in 1989 when he was in his early 20’s. He credited his love and passion for all things film and TV for his drive to succeed. He said, “I have no outside interests. My interests are film, TV, literature, computers, and video games. And that’s it.”

Roy Price attended the very prestige Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts. The very selective school only accepts 13% of applicants and is considered one of the hardest university prep schools in the United States. It is also the oldest incorporated high school in the United States. Price excelled in the competitive environment and graduated in 1985. Thanks to an exceptional high school education, Price then went on to graduate cum laude from Harvard in 1989. He majored in English and American Literature. After college, he went on to study law at the USC Gould School of Law. He graduate from law school in 1995 and he was the Editor in Chief of the Southern California Interdisciplinary Law Journal.

His first break in the industry was in 1989 when he was hired as a film set assistant. That year was critical for him because he was working at the bottom of the ladder in the industry and saw how the industry worked from the ground up. But he was not content to just learn about the film development side, he wanted to also learn about other aspects of the film industry. He then became a financial analyst for Allen & Co from 1990 until 1992 because he wanted to learn more about the financial aspect of the film industry. Looking back on his career, Price said that, “I’d gotten some exposure to film development, but I wanted more exposure to the finance part.”

His first big vertical leap in his career was when he became Vice President for Series Development and Current Programming for Walt Disney. There he oversaw the development for a variety of Walt Disney animated shows like Kim Possible, Teacher’s Pet, House of Mouse, Teamo Supermo, The Weekenders, Buzz Lightyear of Star Command and Tarzan. The animated series Teacher’s Pet won an Emmy and the BAFTA for Best Animated Daytime Series. His other series House of Mouse won the Annie for Best Series. He also managed current programming for the very popular shows Pepper Ann and Recess. Under his guidance the ABC Saturday morning cartoon lineup went from #4 to #1 in the ratings.

After his success at Disney, he took a job as a Consultant for McKinsey & Co. for almost two years. McKinsey & Co. is a global management consulting firm that works with a variety of businesses in different industries in both the private and public sectors. They employ 10,000 people around the world. During his time there, he oversaw teams of consultants and client team members and helped to consult with media companies about how to best improve their performance and bottom line. His team focused exclusively in the areas of home video, international television and US film and video distribution.

After consulting for two years, Roy Price left McKinsey & Co. and took another step up the ladder. He was hired at Price Entertainment as a Principle where he was able to utilize his experience at McKinsey & Co. to help consultant with major media companies. His clients ranged from a large national broadcast television network to a very prominent Los Angeles talent agency. Not only did he consultant with these major players in the industry but he also developed content for an online video network venture. But his time there was short lived because he soon moved on to Amazon to help develop their video on demand capabilities.

Amazon was already a powerhouse in the online retail world and they were looking to expand to offering both film and television. Amazon wanted one man for the job and Roy Price was the man they wanted. Price left Price Entertainment in 2004 to help develop the Amazon Video on Demand Service. Netflix at the time was reigning supreme in the video streaming department and Amazon wanted to offer a competitive service. Price was brought on as a Group Product Manager to help develop Amazon’s digital video store otherwise known as Amazon Unbox. The service debuted on September 7th, 2006 and was later renamed Amazon Video on Demand in September of 2008.

During his time as Group Product Manager he was responsible for managing content licensing and product management. He was responsible for negotiating deals to license television and movies to create the largest commercial digital video selection out of all the available streaming services at the time. Price was able to get over 50,000 titles available. He worked to create deals with Tivo, Sony, Samsung, Panasonic, Roku and other consumer electronic companies to distribute the Amazon digital video store to their TV’s and devices.

During his 2 years there, Price worked tirelessly to get the Amazon Video on Demand service up and running. He set the groundwork for the future popularity of Amazon video on demand. Although he was only at that department for 2 years, the major deals that he closed during his time as the Group Product Manager created the foundation that helped Amazon to become competitive force.

Once Amazon Video was up and running, Price wanted to expand on the Amazon video offerings by the creation of new content for the Amazon customers. He became a director at the newly created Amazon Studios. During an interview with Wired, Price said that there was a two-fold reason why Amazon Studios was created. He said, “We are trying to do two things. One is to create opportunities for film and TV creators, and the other is to create great new movies and TV shows for our customers.”

Amazon Studios was launched in November of 2010 after years of developing the process. The goal of Amazon Studios was to create a platform for aspiring screenwriters and directors to submit their work to a wider audience. Hollywood is a tough industry to break into and Price knew the challenges that these screenwriters and directors face. He wanted to help create a way for them to have their work seen by millions where otherwise a chance like this would never be available to them.

Amazon Studios has been working on the development of television shows, films and comics from online submissions. This radical new approach to the open source concept was designed to bring in fresh and new content from around the world. Filmmakers and screenwriters from anywhere in the world are invited to submit their full-length movies and scripts to Amazon Studios for consideration. The scripts would first have to go through a feedback process from Amazon readers. The readers are free to rewrite and amend the scripts and give reviews based on their feedback.

All feedback and reviews are crowd sourced by anyone who is part of Amazon network. Price knew that this would be a successful way to create interest in a future show or movie. He wanted people to become invested in project before it even became a reality to help ensure a high viewer rating. Roy Price took Amazon Studios to the next level and it continued to rise in its popularity. Buzz would be created before the production of the potential script. He said, “The connectivity of the web and the reduced costs of producing films create opportunities for people to do so much more in terms of creating entertainment and sharing their ideas and getting feedback. There are millions of people out there who are really interested in movies and TV and who are eager to look at new things and share their opinions and eager to create things.”

Once enough Amazon readers had given feedback, the script was then given to a panel of judges to determine whether it should be awarded $2.7 million to go towards the development of these movies and shows under a first look deal with Warner Bros., which then would be streamed on Amazon Video. Amazon Studios received around 11,000 movie scripts and a few thousand TV pilots. Not only was Amazon looking to create new television and movie scripts but they also experimenting with other mediums as well. Amazon created a comic book based on a script that they have in development called Blackburn Burrow. The first issue was the number one free comic book on Kindle when it was first released.

During his time as a director, he was specifically responsible for launching Amazon Pilot Season and launched 14 TV series pilots on Amazon.com to get Amazon readers feedback. He also green lighted popular Amazon favorites like Alpha House, Betas, Creative Galaxy, Annebots, and Tumbleleaf for full season production. Price was also the mastermind behind creating two separate services to help facilitate the process of submitting for their scripts to Amazon. He helped create Amazon Storyteller to help screenwriters turn their ideas and screenplays into storyboards. This application allows screenwriters to use script parsing and a library of character images, backgrounds and props to create a storyboard to help convey the overall meaning of their script in an easily digestible form. He also launched Amazon Storybuilder to help streamline the process of outlining the scripts with physical notecards online to make it portable and easier to share with others.

Due to his success as a director and Amazon’s goal to World domination, he soon became the Head of Prime Video Global Content and Amazon Studios in September of 2014. He was in charge of managing the global content selection at Prime Video in over 240 countries and territories. He helped to launch 25 shows that earned a whopping 411 major award nominations and garnered 142 wins. These wins included AFI Program of the Year, Golden Globes Best Comedy (twice), Emmy’s Best Preschool Show (twice), Emmy’s Best Actor, Emmy’s Best Director, Annies Best Preschool Show (three times), Globes Best Actor (three times), Oscars Best Actor, Best Screenplay and Best Foreign Film.

Price found his niche at Amazon and has been very successful with the launch of Amazon Studios. He helped to open the door to struggling directors and screenwriters whose projects would never have seen the light of day. Amazon has a culture that encourages thinking outside the box and Price enjoys being in an environment where it is encouraged to take those risks. He said that, “Embracing change is central to Amazon’s DNA. You wouldn’t think you would have to explain to people that things change, but you really do. Some people just truly, totally believe it, and some people secretly harbor doubts. Its core to Amazon’s culture that we want to innovate and think big and it’s great to be at a place like that.”

Although his time at Amazon came to an end this year, there is no shortage of opportunities for a person with Price’s talent and drive. With a strong of highly successful shows and projects under his belt, there is no doubt that Price will be back at it, creating and producing new content for the world.

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