Seattle Newspaper for the People by the People

Category archive

People - page 2

Betty White and Her Unbelievable Career

Betty White

Betty White was a well-known American actress whose attitude and charisma landed her adoration for decades. Playing a crucial role in the rise of television and modern media, White went on to become one of the most popular women behind, and in front of, the camera. With one of the longest careers in television, White received countless awards and honors for her work in entertainment, as well as being a household name across the country. She was not only a talented entertainer and creator but an advocate for inclusivity and equal treatment. Though her passing at the end of 2021 was the end of an era, White will always be remembered as a powerhouse in the entertainment industry.

Early Years

Going back to the beginning, Mrs. Betty White Ludden was born on January 17th of 1922 in the city of Oak Park, Illinois. Shortly after she was born, her family moved to California, where she would spend her childhood. As a child, White’s family struggled through the Great Depression and she understood at a young age what difficult times felt like and wanted to help. As she got older, she found an interest in the outdoors and wildlife. She mentioned in interviews that she even wanted to be a forest ranger before her career in entertainment, but at that time, women weren’t allowed to do so.

White ended up finding a love for writing in school, which ultimately sparked the beginning of her creative career. When she was in elementary school, White wrote for and starred in a play for her school’s graduation, demonstrating her amazing young talent.

As time went on, White decided that she wanted to try to become an actress. But at this time, film was still the most popular medium of entertainment, and finding a start in it was no easy feat. White told interviewers that she was often denied modeling opportunities or roles in films because she wasn’t “photogenic enough.” Of course, she didn’t let this get in her way. But it wasn’t until after White graduated high school and served time in World War II that she would make her debut within the world of radio and television.

The Beginning of Betty White’s Career

Betty White is most widely known for her role in the popular sitcom The Golden Girls, as well as her prominence in games and variety shows throughout her early career. But before she gained traction through television, White began her entertainment career in radio. She slowly made her way up the ladder from reading short commercials to reading for shows to getting proposed her own show.

At this same time, White made her television debut by co-hosting a talk show that was quite popular at the time known as Hollywood on Television. Soon after, White took strides to push her career forward by co-founding a production company, where she would work to create well-known classics like Life with Elizabeth. This was a major stepping stone for women in the entertainment industry who never had much of a chance to be behind the camera before.

As time went on, White demonstrated that she was much more than just a girl in front of a camera. As a writer and producer, she not only created unique characters that people loved, but she fought for the inclusivity of both women and people of color throughout her career. When White was given her first talk show, The Betty White Show, she hired an African American man named Arthur Duncan to be a performer. At the time, this decision received a great deal of backlash and hatred, to which White simply replied, “Live with it.” Due to the controversy, her show was ultimately canceled. But that didn’t stop her from becoming one of the most well-known women in the entertainment world.

The Golden Years

After Life with Elizabeth ended, White dipped her toes in a few other series, but would find great luck when she began appearing in games and variety shows. Perhaps the most popular of the game shows she appeared in was Password, a game where contestants give each other clues to guess a mystery word or “password.” The show was hosted by Allen Ludden, who White went on to marry in the early 1960s. For the next decade, White was featured on a variety of shows like Late Night with Jonny Carson, and starred in her own self-titled sitcom, The Betty White Show.

In 1985, White landed her infamous role as Rose and The Golden Girls made their television debut.From here, White’s popularity soared even higher. The series depicted a group of older, single women sharing a house and living out their “golden” years together. White went on to play her character Rose for 7 seasons, winning awards all along the way. The series was adored by fans across the country and is still a critically acclaimed sitcom talked about today.

After the popular series came to a finish in the early 1990s, White went on to appear in a soap opera, multiple different television series, and even a film. By 2010, White experienced what many people call a “resurgence” in her popularity. Because of this, she would go on to host Saturday Night Live and appear in multiple other sitcoms and movies.

The End of an Era Betty White’s career is one of longevity and success. From radio to television to filming and production, White had one of the longest, most influential careers in entertainment history. Not only did she win countless awards for her roles in series like The Golden Girls, but she took massive strides for minorities in the entertainment industry like women and people of color. She not only landed a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, but a Guinness World Record for the longest female career in entertainment. For over eight decades, White shared her passions and devotion with the world around her, ultimately landing her a spot in hearts across America.

Photo: “Betty White David Shankbone 2010 NYC”

Danny Strong Biography & Career

Danny Strong

Danny Strong is a popular actor, writer, and producer in the American entertainment industry. With roles in notorious TV shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Gilmore Girls, as well as helping to write screenplays for critically acclaimed films like Lee Daniels’ The Butler, Strong has demonstrated his effortless flexibility throughout the entertainment industry. His latest project, a Hulu miniseries known as Dopesick, depicts the opioid crisis in America while showing the perspective not only of doctors but of the people who produce Oxycontin. With many opportunities still to come, Danny Strong’s career has the attention of many. Danny Strong is engaged to producer and actress Caitlin Mehner.

Early Life

Daniel Strong, most commonly known as Danny Strong, was born on June 6, 1974. He grew up in southern California (Manhattan Beach, California) where he knew he wanted to be an actor from a young age. He comes from a Jewish family and mix of Lithuanian, Russian, and Polish. By the time he was 10, Strong was sending his photo to agents all over and becoming infatuated with the world of film. He went to Mira Costa High School in Manhattan Beach, CA.

During this time, Strong spent a lot of his spare time at a video store near his house called Video Archives. He would talk to the clerk who worked there often, sharing opinions on his favorite movies, and getting recommendations from him. Ironically, the clerk that worked there was Quentin Tarantino. Strong told interviewers he used to talk about films with Tarantino after school for hours, just discussing different scenes and what they thought of them. As Danny Strong grew up, he quickly took an interest in theatre and drama in school. And by the time he got to college, he knew that he wanted to study film and theatre for his degree.

The Beginning of Danny Strong’s Career

Strong finally made his acting debut in the 90s television hit Saved by the Bell. Quickly afterward, in 1995, he appeared in his first full-length feature film, titled Dangerous Minds. Within the next few years, Strong scored role after role in popular films and television series. By 1998, Strong not only got his iconic role as Jonathan Levinson in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but he appeared in the popular sitcoms Boy Meets World, 3rd Rock from the Sun, Seinfeld, and the cult classic film Clueless.

After his acting career jumpstarted in the late 90s, Strong’s part in the entertainment industry only continued to grow. He landed his next notable character as Doyle McMaster in the series Gilmore Girls in 2003 and ended up staying on the show for the next 4 years. After his time on Gilmore Girls, he continued to be featured in popular series like Grey’s Anatomy and How I Met Your Mother into the early 2010s. This was when he decided to start slowing down his appearances in front of the camera to focus more on his writing.

Scripts, Screenplays, and Achievements

Strong had always been interested in writing his own script or screenplay. When he was just 25, he tried writing his first film, which was a dark comedy. The film was based on two men that kill an old man so they can move into his rent-controlled apartment. Unfortunately, the film never was put into action and it stayed on paper forever. Regardless, creating this helped Strong realize that he wanted to write much more in the future.

And that’s exactly what he did. Danny Strong’s first written piece to come to fruition was a film called Recount. Released in 2008, the film depicted the 2000 elections and the chaos that ensued when the recount was ordered in Florida. The political drama ended up being a great success and was ultimately nominated for 11 Emmys, one of which was for best writing, as well as 5 Golden Globes. Not long after, Strong found himself writing for another political drama entitled Game Change. This time, Strong wrote the screenplay that earned him an Emmy award for outstanding writing.

Gaining more experience in the world of writing and producing, Strong began to work on multiple different popular projects over the years. He found success in his screenplays that were written for the two-part ending films of the popular trilogy The Hunger Games. Both Mockingjay Part 1 and Mockingjay Part 2 were films that brought their audiences to the edges of their seats.

But perhaps one of Strong’s most popular works is the screenplay he wrote for Lee Daniels’ The Butler. The film was based loosely on a real butler named Eugene Allen, who served the White House presidents for decades. In Strong’s screenplay, the trials, tribulations, and injustice that the butler endured demonstrate the hardships of the African American community during this time.

The film is a touching story of a hardworking, kind African American man who served white presidents for years, despite not always being treated well. In the end, he finally is able to see a Black man take presidential office. With stars like Oprah Winfrey and a strong screenplay, the film soared to great heights and reached larger audiences than Strong ever imagined.

Latest Work

Some of Strong’s most popular recent works include the hit television series Empire. Created with Lee Daniels, Strong’s previous partner on The Butler, the musical drama highlighted a family battling each other for control of their entertainment company. Empire quickly became popular and even was one of the most-watched shows on Fox at the time it aired. It went on for six drama-filled seasons, where Strong even stepped in as director before it came to an end in 2020.

Strong’s latest piece of work is the miniseries entitled Dopesick. Based on research by Beth Macy, as well as her book Dopesick: Dealers, Doctors, and the Drug Company, Danny Strong wanted to create a series that focused on the devastation created by the opioid epidemic in America. Dopesick highlights the focal point of the opioid epidemic — the creators. Showing different perspectives like a small-town doctor versus the twisted mind of Oxycontin owner Richard Sackler, the audience gets a much better understanding of the corruption taking place underneath the surface of the epidemic. A recent interview with Danny Strong.

Though Danny Strong’s career is nowhere near over, it has already been full of accomplishments and successes that can last a lifetime.

You can follow Danny Strong on Twitter and Instagram.

Awards: 2 Emmy Awards, 2 Writers Guild of America Awards, Producers Guild of American Award, NAACP Image Award, and nominated for a DGA Award as well as a Peabody.

Danny Strong Honored with Prestigious Pioneer Award

It can be difficult to make a name for yourself in Hollywood. It often involves a lot of hard work, dedication, and a bit of luck. Danny Strong is one individual who was able to take Hollywood by storm. Danny Strong is a well-known actor, screenwriter, and director. His work spans all different mediums and genres, offering the audience something new each time. He is an artist who isn’t afraid to take on a project no one else would.

His most recent success, “Dopesick,” was a gamble that paid off well for everyone involved. Danny Strong continues to inspire individuals who want to make it in Hollywood. He is a trailblazer both on and off-camera. Though he has been in the industry for some time, he shows no signs of slowing down any time soon.

Danny Strong was born and raised in Manhattan Beach, California. He developed his love for acting and film early in his life. As a boy of 10, he was renting movies from a local video store. He would spend hours discussing movies with the clerk, who helped shape and develop his artist tastes. That clerk is known by many now as the famous director Quentin Tarantino. Strong attended high school at Mira Costa High School. His love for acting carried through high school and into his college career at the University of Southern California where he studied film and theatre.

Danny Strong was able to secure successful roles in TV shows now considered cult classics. He took on the role of Jonathan Levinson in “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”. The character appeared in five seasons of the show, playing an active role in 30 episodes. Strong also played Doyle McMaster in “Gilmore Girls.” Doyle is a recurring character in the later seasons of the show, appearing in 20 episodes. Strong also appeared in several different films such as “Pleasantville,” “Seabiscuit,” and “Dangerous Minds.” He also had a role in the hilarious spoof, “I Know What I Did Last Friday the 13th.” He has also held guest roles in popular sitcoms such as:

  • “3rd Rock from the Sun”
  • “Grey’s Anatomy”
  • “Seinfeld”
  • “Boy Meets World”
  • “How I Met Your Mother”

He had a recurring role in “Mad Men” as Danny Siegal, too. He is currently starring in “Billions” as the character Todd Krakow. While acting has always been a large part of his career, he found himself drawn to behind-the-scenes work early in his career.

Danny Strong has experienced a rich, diverse acting career. He always wanted to branch into larger, more significant roles. This inspired him to write his own dark comedy in hopes of acting in the lead role. The project never fully materialized, but it did pave the way for a new, bright path in Strong’s future. This project awakened a passion in Strong to become a full-time screenwriter.

Screenwriting helped launch Danny Strong’s career to a whole new level. His first successful script was for the movie “Recount,” which depicts the events of the 2000 U.S. election. This movie reached number one on Hollywood Blacklist and would go on to become an award-winning HBO film. Written in 2007, it enjoyed well-received reviews from critics and fans. It won two awards and was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award. It would win the Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Made for Television Movie and was awarded Best Original Screenplay for a Television Movie by the Writers Guild of America. This first instance of success helped solidify Strong’s place as someone quickly gaining momentum as a talented screenwriter.

Strong would go on to write the screen adaptation for the movie “Game Changer” in 2012. This film would go on to be awarded a Peabody, as well as winning Strong his second Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a Miniseries, Movie, or a Dramatic Special.

His success continued to grow with his next screenplay for the film “The Butler.” This movie would make over $100 million at the U.S. box office. Following the success of these screen writes, he went on to co-write “Mockingjay,” which is the two-part final installment of the “Hunger Games” franchise. Strong also played a role in both writing and directing for the hit TV drama, “Empire.” The show has been nominated or won several different awards for best series. Even though Strong was seeing much success through his work as a screenwriter, he wanted to continue to grow. He next set his eyes on directing.

Strong started to move into directing while working on “Empire”. He directed several episodes of this highly popular show. His work on “Empire” would earn him the NAACP Image Award. Strong made his first full-directing debut with his movie “Rebel in the Rye” which is a biographical film about author J.D. Salinger. This film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.

Danny Strong recently received praise from fans and critics for his work on “Dopesick.” This Hulu miniseries is an examination of the opioid crisis that stars hit actor Michael Keaton. Strong worked as co-creator, executive producer, writer, and director for this dramatic TV series. Danny Strong is set to receive this year’s Pioneer Award at Sun Valley Film Festival. This award is to honor his work as an industry innovator. Strong was also honored to be nominated for this year’s Directors Guild Awards for his part in creating, co-writing, and directing the final two episodes of the show.

Photo: “Danny Strong” by Mirka23 is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

Ayman Hariri Biography

Ayman Hariri

Ayman Hariri is a Lebanese billionaire who is most well-known for being the co-founder of Vero, a social network free of data mining and advertisements. He was also the former CEO of Saudi Oger, one of the largest construction companies in Saudi Arabia. He was fully divested from the company in July 2014. He has had a huge interest in technology ever since he was a child, and he’s always looking to solve problems with technology. He values respect and consideration for others, and he believes that is what makes a business successful. His strong passion, combined with his highly respected values, has allowed him to become one of the richest people in the world.

Early Life

Ayman Rafic Hariri was born on May 16, 1978. He is the second-youngest son of business magnate and former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafic Hariri. He has two siblings, Fahd and Hind, and two half-siblings, Bahaa and Saad. Ayman Hariri grew up in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and he moved to Paris, France at age 12 to attend school. While in France, Hariri would go to work meetings with his father, who wanted his son to follow in his footsteps. However, Hariri’s passion wasn’t for construction, but rather technology. He would take apart and build PCs in his spare time, which he felt his parents didn’t understand, especially his father. He wanted to forge his own path and not feel bound to a path that was chosen for him.

Ayman Hariri moved to the United States to attend Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. While in college, he was an intern and programmer at Intelsat, a satellite services provider. He originally began as a business major, but after receiving approval from his parents, he switched to computer science. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in computer science in 1999.

First Projects and Major Tragedy

In 2001, Ayman Hariri co-founded a software platform called Epok with his friend from junior high school, Scott Birnbaum. Epok was mostly intended for enterprises and dealt with data privacy and identity management. Unfortunately, this project was abandoned in 2005 due to a family tragedy. Hariri’s father, Rafic, was assassinated by a suicide bomber on February 14, 2005, in Beirut, Lebanon.

Following this, Ayman returned home to Saudi Arabia to help run his father’s construction company until July 2014. Hariri oversaw the development of King Abdullah University for Science and Technology (KAUST), the first mixed-gender university campus in Saudi Arabia. The company was also responsible for the construction of Princess Noura University, the largest women’s university in the world, and the Ritz Carlton hotel in Riyadh. Hariri left Saudi Oger in 2013 to pursue other projects, and he sold his stake in the company to his brother, Saad. Saudi Oger closed completely in July of 2017.

The Creation of Vero and Investments in Startups

Hariri invested the money he had into Vero, a social media platform free of advertisements and data mining. He and Birnbaum, who had worked together previously on Epok, co-founded the company. Vero allows users to share music, videos, movies, and photos with whoever they want. This was Hariri’s idea. He noticed that other apps let you share either privately or publicly, and he wanted Vero users to be able to make that choice for themselves. Hariri wanted Vero to closely resemble real-world social experiences compared to other social networking services such as Facebook.

The Vero app became available for download in 2015. It was a big success, and in 2018, the app’s servers were struggling to keep pace with the amount of traffic. In 2018, the number of users went from roughly 150,000 users to over 4 million. Vero’s biggest customers include photographers, musicians, cosplayers, and artists.

The Rise of Vero

In 2018, the social media app Vero became one of the most downloaded apps on the App Store. The user count was originally hovering around 150,000 users, but only one week later, the number of users jumped to over 4 million. Vero isn’t a typical social media site; it’s free of data mining, advertisements, and algorithms. Vero attempts to offer a social networking service that closely resembles in-person experiences, and it has succeeded in doing so.

The Founder of Vero

Ayman Hariri grew up with a fascination for technology, often building and disassembling PCs in his spare time to learn about them.

Hariri started a data privacy company in 2001 with his junior high school friend, Scott Birnbaum. In 2005, He created Vero in 2015 alongside Birnbaum, when he noticed he could offer something that other social networks weren’t doing.

What Vero Does Differently

Vero does not use advertisements, and users’ privacy is maintained. Hariri wanted a social media experience where users could decide who would see what they post, which is the opposite of what Facebook and Instagram were offering at the time. Users can share videos, music, movies, and photos with whoever they choose. The name “Vero” was chosen for the company because it means “truth” in Italian.

Hariri noticed his friends on other social media sites were acting differently than they did in real life. He wanted to create a social network that emulated how people behave in the real world, which is through varying degrees of intimacy. Based on how close you are with someone, you can share anything on Vero with either everyone or a select few. Vero’s primary mission is to make their social network truly feel social.

Hariri has ensured that respect and consideration remain key factors in Vero’s appeal. Vero respects all users’ privacy and is more deliberate when it comes to solving problems or developing features.

Vero is currently registered in New York, but all staff work remotely across the world.

Vero Becomes Popular

Many cosplayers, artists, musicians, and photographers quickly took to Vero due to its unique pinch and zoom functionality. Although it didn’t start with as many users as it has today, a major event helped Vero’s popularity surge.

In 2018, the Cambridge Analytica data scandal occurred. In the scandal, users’ information from their Facebook and Instagram accounts was used for political advertising purposes without their consent. Vero took advantage of this and launched an advertising campaign to attract the disgruntled Facebook and Instagram users. This plan proved effective, and millions made the switch to Vero. Vero became the most downloaded app in 18 countries during the week. The rise in popularity was unexpected, and the servers were briefly struggling to maintain the influx of new users.

Hariri’s friend Zack Snyder took an interest in Vero. This also gave the company a boost, as his fans registered for the app and followed his account.

Hariri self-financed Vero through his wealth, and the first one million users had access to the full app for free, with plans to move to a subscription model afterwards. The app also generates revenue through an affiliate program from purchases made through the app.

Vero Today

In December of 2020, Vero 2.0 was launched. It was an update that improved the UI and added new features such as video and voice calls, as well as game and app posts. In October of 2021, Vero launched a desktop app with various posting options to choose from.

At the 2021 Webby Awards, Vero was named an honoree for Best Visual Design in the Aesthetic category.

Vero continues to work on new tools and features, including discoverability capabilities and features that allow creators to build more sustainable careers. Vero is also looking into the potential integration of Web3 technology into the app.

Hariri invests in many startup companies through Red Sea Ventures, including Nest, a smart thermostat now owned by Google. He had a 42% stake in his family’s holding company, GroupeMed, but sold it in 2017 for $535 million.

Hariri’s Mentor and Values

Despite some disagreements early on, Ayman Hariri views his father as his biggest mentor. He continues to be inspired by his values and character. Although he might not have initially understood Ayman’s passion for technology, his father encouraged him to follow his dreams, as that’s where he felt his biggest success would be. Hariri considers himself lucky to have learned business skills from his father, and his approach of staying honest and consistent with all people builds trust. Hariri believes in the people he works with and remains optimistic when working on a project. This business philosophy came from his father, and Hariri continues to live by it today with great success.

The fact that Hariri values respect and consideration for people is a key part of Vero’s success. He respects people’s privacy and wants to be deliberate with his projects to ensure that users stick around longer. He believes this helps to build stronger, more meaningful relationships in the long term. He continues to learn from any mistakes and problems that arise, and always endeavors to improve users’ experiences and maintain strong relationships.

Ayman Hariri Today

Hariri currently lives in Paris, France, and is married with three children. His hobbies include superheroes and comic books, which he collects in his spare time. He has named his comic book collection “The Impossible Collection,” which he put on display at the 2016 premiere of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice in London. He is friends with American film director Zack Snyder, who directed Justice League. Hariri is disinterested in politics, given the problems that often arise in that field. However, his brother Saad served as Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia from 2016 to 2020. Hariri continues to work at Vero, and recently put out a desktop version of the app. As of September 2022, his net worth is estimated to be $1.4 billion.

Photo: “ENX_9597” by Web Summit is licensed under CC BY 2.0

David Ehrlich Entertainment Attorney – Biography

Attorney Law Seattle

David M. Ehrlich has led a diverse career in the entertainment industry. Born in Detroit, MI, and raised in New York City, Ehrlich’s early exposure to the vibrant cultural landscape of New York City laid the groundwork for his future endeavors. In Los Angeles, CA, he honed his skills as an attorney representing artists from a wide range of industries.

He is the founder of the New York-based entertainment and media practice law firm David M. Ehrlich & Associates, which offers comprehensive legal services across a wide spectrum of sectors that include music, film, television, fine arts, sports, mobile, gaming, interactive media, and live theater. For more than 20 years, David M. Ehrlich & Associates has presented new and established artists on a variety of transactions and provided legal help and counsel in areas such as contract law, trademark law, A&R, radio, management, press, touring, publishing, and concert promotion. David Ehrlich has represented clients from Seattle, Washington to New York.

Ehrlich’s academic journey began at Cornell University, where he pursued his Bachelor of Science degree He continued his academic pursuits at the esteemed Boston University School of Law, earning his Juris Doctor (JD) degree in 1986, laying a solid foundation for his future legal career. With a deep-seated passion for the law and a keen interest in entertainment, Ehrlich embarked on his professional journey, becoming a member of both the New York and Connecticut bars as he prepared to make his mark in the dynamic world of entertainment law.

Ehrlich’s career trajectory saw him navigate various roles and environments. Each contributed to his growth and expertise in the field. He started his career with Epstein Becker & Green P.C., where he gained invaluable experience in legal practice and honed his skills as an attorney. It was his fascination with entertainment law that propelled him to pursue opportunities in the music industry, leading him to join EMI Records, one of the most renowned record labels in music history. His tenure at EMI Records allowed him to immerse himself in the intricacies of the music business, fostering relationships and gaining insights that would prove invaluable in his future endeavors.

Seeking new challenges and opportunities for growth, Ehrlich made the pivotal decision to relocate to Los Angeles after his time at EMI. This move would mark a significant chapter in his career. In Los Angeles, he joined Myman Abell Fineman Greenspan. At this prestigious entertainment firm, he represented a diverse clientele in film, television, and music, further expanding his first-hand experience and establishing himself as a trusted advisor within the industry.

In 1998, Ehrlich returned to New York, eager to explore new horizons and opportunities. He accepted the position of Vice President and East Coast General Manager with Priority Records, a subsidiary of EMI Music Group, where he played a pivotal role in driving the label’s success on the East Coast. He then joined Universal Records as an A&R Consultant, leveraging his expertise to identify talent and capitalize on emerging trends in the music industry.

Ehrlich’s entrepreneurial spirit and forward-thinking mindset led him to explore new frontiers in the entertainment landscape. He served as content counsel for Zingy, a music collaboration platform, and later as Chief Music Industry Strategist and Counsel for Rednote, which evolved into Audiobyte, a pioneering platform for social media sound-byte sharing. These experiences allowed Ehrlich to stay at the forefront of technological innovation while contributing to projects that would shape the future of the music industry.

Before establishing his own firm, David M. Ehrlich & Associates, Ehrlich enjoyed a successful tenure as an attorney and personal manager, representing Grammy-winning artists and producers such as Nickelback, Wu-Tang Clan, and Prince Paul. He also founded music publishing companies like Infamous Beats Music and Song Collect Music Publishing, showcasing his entrepreneurial acumen and commitment to supporting artists’ creative endeavors.

Ehrlich’s keen eye for talent and his knack for identifying emerging artists have earned him a reputation as a tastemaker in the industry. He played a pivotal role in discovering talents like Nickelback and Tina Parol. He then helped launch their careers. In addition to his work with artists, Ehrlich has contributed to the entertainment industry in other ways, such as by producing the soundtrack for the Oscar-winning film “Training Day” and consulting for the video gaming industry on issues such as content and intellectual property rights.

Ehrlich stays actively involved in talent scouting and development, nurturing the next generation of artists and helping them navigate the complexities of the entertainment industry. He has worked with artists across various mediums, providing strategic guidance and support to help them achieve their creative goals.

Today, his roster includes a diverse array of talent, from Grammy, Emmy, and Oscar winners to up-and-coming artists looking to make their mark in the industry. His corporate clients span television production companies, advertising agencies, mobile application companies, software developers, record labels, and music publishers, showcasing the breadth and depth of his expertise.

Throughout his illustrious career, Ehrlich has bridged the worlds of talent, production, and technology with content and intellectual property at its core. His broad experience, keen insights, and unwavering dedication have made him a significant figure in the entertainment industry.

David Ehrlich personal website for more information.

Justin Muzinich

Justin Muzinich

Over the last year, the US economy has been moderately in flux. With the Coronavirus pandemic changing global trade practices and domestic spending patterns, it’s hard to predict what the future will hold for the American economy. While thousands of medical professionals worked around the clock to create a vaccine and care for the sick, people like Justin Muzinich were helping the American people in their own way. As a graduate of Harvard Business School and Yale Law, Muzinich holds the position of US Deputy Secretary of the Treasury, putting him in the unique and challenging position to oversee the US economy while it goes through this unprecedented time. Expertly poised to handle economic unease, Justin Muzinich has made many strategic moves that may have saved the US economy from collapse.

As he continues to work toward stable economic projections, the ultimate goal, according to Justin, is global cooperation. He asks us to set aside any differences we may have and join him in focusing on rebuilding our world. Moving forward, having professionals like Muzinich on staff in Washington DC will help the US move forward into economic security when the time comes to leave Covid-19 behind us.

There are several ways that Justin Muzinich has worked to bolster the economy over the last year. As a supporter of the CARES act, Justin Muzinich applauded the way in which the bill both helped struggling households and gave support to struggling businesses. He reported a strong economy going into the pandemic and believes that there are strategic ways in which we can prevent significant economic recession when the crisis is behind us. Much of Muzinich’s focus is on businesses, ensuring that the infrastructure of our economy is intact for years to come. He also stresses the importance of propping up local and state governments, many of whom find themselves strapped for cash with added Covid-related expenses. Muzinich was a key player in the corporate-debt backstops and providing support for riskier corporation bonds that occurred in the spring of 2020.

Muzinich puts an emphasis on cryptocurrency and its importance in the economy going forward. In order for this vital part of our changing world to remain economically viable, Muzinich stresses the importance of security to protect economic infrastructure. However, the most important thing going forward, according to Muzinich, is creating a global economy and being in mutual support of one another. He compared the United States and the EU’s responses, stating that the stimulus packages in the United States mirror the EU’s support programs. According to Muzinich, a unified global approach will be key. He also warns about the availability of liquid assets, as many individuals and companies have been calling in their assets, and the supply is running low.

Overall, it’s beneficial for the economy to have people like Muzinich monitoring the economy as we tread through these uncharted waters. Though the pandemic certainly isn’t over yet, experts like Muzinich predict that the United States economy will likely be okay in the wake of this crisis. Though things certainly won’t look perfect right away, with a little global cooperation and strategic government intervention, it’s likely that the economy will rebound soon after this nightmare is over.

John Berlinski Biography

John Berlinski Attorney

John Berlinski, currently a partner at Kasowitz Benson Torres LLP, has an extensive history as a provider of legal services over the past several years. In fact, before his current position, he worked as an attorney for a couple of different practices, all of which prepared him for his present role. His education began with a Bachelor’s degree from Cornell University, after which he attended the University of Michigan Law School.

After graduating, John began his professional career as a lawyer by working as a litigation attorney for the law offices of O’Melveny & Myers LLP, a global law firm with offices throughout the world. This allowed him to establish a network of contacts within the judiciary system, in addition to ample experience, tackling all sorts of cases as part of a legal team.

Years after building up a reputation in his initial position, John Berlinski was offered the opportunity to take on the role of Senior Vice President & Head of West Coast Television Litigation for NBCUniversal. In his capacity as SVP, he was assigned the responsibility of handling all litigation and pre-litigation disputes involving NBCUniversal’s West Coast division.

During his time with NBCUniversal, he was able to further develop skills that would enable him to become an expert in his field. Being SVP placed him in a position where he actively tackled various issues under the umbrella of entertainment law. This included cases involving intellectual property rights, such as those related to copyright law, trademarks, and idea theft, claims involving media portrayals, such as those related to reporters’ shield law, media access, defamation, rights to privacy, and rights to publicity, and other internal situations, such as those involving talent relations, entertainment contracts, employment, and general commercial disputes.

However, serving as SVP was not his only role. In his position as Head of West Coast Television Litigation, John was tasked with leading NBCUniversal’s profit participation group. This meant that it was his responsibility to manage a team of lawyers working to devise strategies for negotiation profit participation contracts. They also oversaw audits and audit claims, as well as accounting statements.

Finally, his professional career led him to become a partner at the law offices of Kasowitz Benson Torres LLP. As a partner, his role is to serve as the head of the office and as the chair of entertainment law, allowing him to apply all that he has learned regarding that judicial branch. Handling high profile cases involving powerful clients with equally powerful opposition can be an intimidating venture, but John’s unique background has ensured that he is more than prepared for the task. His previous experience has since been applied to representing all sorts of television and theater clients and handling cases involving intellectual property in music, resolving disputes involving theme park owners, working with agencies, and most of all, resolving claims related to licensing disputes and profit participation. This has not gone without notice. John’s skill in litigation has been recognized by all sorts of influential sources. Variety included him as a leading attorney of entertainment law in their “Legal Impact Report,” The National Law Journal gave him the title of Entertainment Trailblazer, and The Hollywood Reporter listed him on their “Powerful Lawyers 2020: Hollywood’s Top 100 Attorneys” list. Since working with Kasowitz Benson Torres LLP, John has truly made a name for himself as a litigator to watch.

Craig Sweeny Keeps CBS at Top of the Charts

Craig Sweeny

CBS has been providing TV entertainment since 1927. This platform continues to provide content that fans love, from reality TV and fast-paced dramas to out-of-this-world science fiction. CBS relies on its writers and producers to provide content that fans will love. One producer that the network has relied on for almost two decades is Craig Sweeny, an American screenwriter and television producer. The bulk of his career has been dedicated to CBS studios. He started as a staff writer and has become an executive producer for many of the network’s high-ranking productions.

His Career

Craig Sweeny started his career as a staff writer for the television drama “The 4400.” This science fiction television series ran for four seasons from July 12, 2004, to September 16, 2007. This show followed a group of 4,400 individuals who appear in the Cascade Range foothills in a ball of light. These individuals had previously disappeared in a beam of light dating back to 1946. Regardless of disappearance time, none of them age. They also can’t remember what happened to them. It is soon discovered they possess different paranormal abilities, making them a focus of government attention.

Following his time on “The 4400,” he moved to another hit TV show. Craig Sweeny worked on the show “Medium” as an executive producer for six years. During the last three years on the show, he worked as a co-head writer. “Medium” is a supernatural drama television series. It aired on NBC for five seasons from January 2005 to June 2009. This show focused on the character Allison DuBois, a medium working for a law firm. She uses her abilities to help solve crimes.

Craig Sweeny also worked as an executive producer for the drama “Common Law.” This show ran for one season and was a comedy-drama featuring two dysfunctional detective partners ordered to take couple’s therapy. Sweeny moved from this project to “Elementary.” This show focused on the early casework of the famous Sherlock Holmes, and the first episode aired in 2010. It has long been praised for its creativity and quality storytelling. Sweeny spent over five years working on this British mystery-crime drama.

Sweeny is best known for his work on “Limitless.” Craig Sweeny took part in both the creation and production of this show. “Limitless” aired in 2015 as a TV adaptation of a popular movie by the same name starring Bradley Cooper. The TV series focused on the character Brian Finch. Finch discovers a drug that can increase his brainpower to almost 100%. This led him to work with the FBI to help solve complex cases.

Sweeny enjoyed the ability to be experimental with the show, pushing boundaries and adding to the procedural elements and expanding upon them. Though this show only lasted for one season, it is still enjoyed today on platforms such as Paramount Plus.

Sweeny also created and produced the show “The Code.” This was a military legal drama that premiered in 2019, but it was dropped after its first season. Sweeny has also worked as a consulting producer for the hit sci-fi show “Star Trek: Discovery.” The star trek universe is rich in exploring different people, places, and technology. This series has a devout following, and fans continued to be impressed by the latest installment. “Star Trek: Discovery” premiered in 2017 and is still going strong. It is the seventh series but begins a decade before the timeline of the original series.

Craig Sweeny has recently signed a new three-year deal with CBS Studios. He continues to prove himself as a vital creator and executive producer. He is on track to continue to develop new projects as well as work on existing series. He is currently developing a high-profile science fiction series for Paramount Plus as well as a crime series called “Know-It-All.” As a well-established producer for CBS, fans can’t wait to see what he comes out with next.

Work as a Mentor

Craig Sweeny loves to support other writers make their way into Hollywood. Since 2018, Sweeny has served as a volunteer mentor for the Veterans Writing Project through the Writers Guild Foundation. This project aims to identify individuals with a military background who have a passion for writing. This project provides tools and insight from professionals to help writers expand their skills and navigate the entertainment industry. Over a year, mentors will guide participants in developing a feature or pilot script. Mentors provide feedback, advice, and experienced guidance.

Family and Fun

Craig Sweeny dedicates much of his life to being a dad. As a ballet dad, he is always busy getting his daughters to rehearsals and performances. In his free time, he enjoys reviewing heavy metal music for angrymetalguy.com under a pseudonym. He also trains in martial arts and currently holds a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Official Website: https://www.craigsweeny.com

IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1153843/

Craig Sweeny Interview NYCC 2015 with Jake McDorman

Jeffrey Schottenstein Biography

Jeffrey Schottenstein

Jeffrey Schottenstein was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, to Jay and Jeanie Schottenstein, a family with generations of experience in the apparel industry. His father, Jay Schottenstein, served as Chairman and CEO of Schottenstein Stores Corporation, American Eagle Outfitters, and American Signature. His grandfather, Jerome Schottenstein, helped to establish the Schottenstein Stores Corporation, along with other family members. Due to their success, the Schottensteins have been able to secure a future for their family and improve the lives of many in their community. Jeffrey grew up learning all he could from his father concerning retail and business. His grandfather was another important role model and the inspiration behind many of Jeffrey Schottenstein’s philanthropic endeavors.

Throughout his life, Jeffrey not only mastered the business world of retail but also learned the importance of giving back to his community, as his family has long supported different charitable organizations. Jeffrey has continued this mission by supporting groups with values close to his family’s hearts, as well as other groups working to better the lives of those less fortunate. His parents established the Jay and Jeanie Schottenstein Foundation, a foundation that supports Jewish causes through private grantmaking. Giving back to the Jewish community has always been an important family focus, and this foundation gives almost exclusively to Jewish culture and religious organizations.

Carving His Own Path

Coming from a well-established family such as the Schottensteins, Jeffrey Schottenstein knew he wanted to keep his family’s legacy alive, especially through philanthropic work. While he stayed close to his roots by continuing to work in the retail industry, he also started to branch out to support efforts that mattered to him. It was important to Jeffrey that he continues to carry out the passions of his family, but it was also important to stay true to himself.

Jeffrey Schottenstein was raised to not only be a smart businessman but also to share his success by giving back to the community whenever possible. In high school, he volunteered much of his time at Chabad’s Friendship Circle Program and helped to double their number of volunteers through his dedication to the cause. He found a passion early on for helping children that require special support services and people of all ages experiencing mental health issues.

In 2011, Jeffrey Schottenstein founded TACKMA, a clothing apparel line designed to bring greater awareness to mental health issues and give back to communities in need. Much of Jeffrey Schottenstein’s work is centered around his community of Columbus, OH, which is where this storefront is located. He developed TACKMA so people of all shapes, sizes, and backgrounds could feel comfortable in their skin and show off their unique personalities through high-quality products. The mission of this brand is to foster self-expression and empower people with the confidence to do things their way.

TACKMA is an acronym created by Schottenstein that stands for “They All Can Kiss My Ass,” a cheeky statement that emphasizes finding happiness in yourself without worrying about what other people have to say. Even before the brand was completely realized, Schottenstein had this acronym custom engraved into a pair of Nikes as a reminder to stay true to himself. This brand was created for the underdogs or those that society may be quick to overlook or judge. Encouraging self-love among these people has been one of the driving philosophies in his life.

Jeffrey Schottenstein is a long-time contributor to LifeTown Columbus, a one-of-a-kind facility run by Lori Schottenstein Chabad Center in New Albany. Designed to imitate a small city, Life Town provides children with special needs the opportunity to learn about real-world scenarios in fun and engaging ways. It offers a safe, nurturing environment in which specially trained volunteers help children acquire the skills they need to thrive, from socialization to fiscal responsibility. When COVID-19 impacted the work that LifeTown was able to provide, the facility adapted by creating LifeTown on the Go to serve Central Ohio students virtually. Jeffrey Schottenstein donated $100,000 to this new program and was honored for his advocacy and contributions to helping children at the 2021 Annual Lifetown Legends Luncheon.

Recently, Jeffrey Schottenstein and his family have pledged $10.15 million for the endowment of a new chair at the Ohio State University College of Medicine in Columbus. The goal of this contribution is to create a new comprehensive mental health wellness program, the Jeffrey Schottenstein Program for Resilience. Jeffrey remembers his struggles as a college student at Ohio State, dealing with anxiety, depression, and OCD. He felt alone, not realizing that many of his peers were experiencing the same issues. This stigma attached to mental health issues creates a sense of isolation that is common among students and creates a serious barrier to seeking help.

Jeffrey created the Program for Resilience to ensure students have access to a reliable, 24/7 support system. This program will help students address their mental health issues, overcome their obstacles, and build the foundation for a happy, successful future. It will teach them valuable coping skills that build cognitive and emotional resilience, so they feel confident to handle any challenges they face throughout their education and later after they graduate. The program will be led by Dr. Luan Phan, a well-known leader in psychiatry who has made cutting-edge neuroscience discoveries associated with resilience and mental health. It should be formally approved in November.

Jeffrey Schottenstein At TACKMA displaying apparel. CREDIT: TACKMA via Instagram

Jeffrey Schottenstein continues to integrate his passion for apparel with his love of helping his community. His line, TACKMA, has gained increased attention due to celebrity endorsements. LeBron James has been spotted wearing the TACKMA brand and supports the overall message and goals of the company. Jeffrey Schottenstein is excited to see the growth and adaptation of the Jeffrey Schottenstein Program for Resilience at Ohio State University. As an alumnus, he looks forward to helping his alma mater better cater to the needs of a diverse student body. He strongly believes that through this program, many more students can achieve academic success that will translate to future success in their adult lives.

Follow Jeffrey Schottenstein on LinkedIn

Will Floersheimer

Will Floersheimer

Will Floersheimer was a JP Morgan associate supporting an impressive and diverse $70 billion multi-asset portfolio. This is a brief biography of the young financier who served at one of the US’ most prominent banks, including his background, education, and interests.

Early Life

Will Floersheimer was born in New York City but spent most of his childhood in Greenwich, Connecticut – a quintessential and idyllic suburban upbringing with his two siblings, being the middle child between an older sister and younger brother. He attended the prestigious preparatory academy for boys, Brunswick School, from preschool through graduating high school. At the varsity level, Will was very involved in the school’s well-established sports programs, including soccer, lacrosse, and paddle tennis. Will Floersheimer is one of the grandchildren of Dr. Stephen Floersheimer who created the Floersheimer Institute.

Will also developed a passion for philanthropy, languages, and the humanities during high school, which he has carried on through his life and career. He is fluent in Spanish and Italian and received humanitarian awards for his achievements in the languages during high school. In the realm of charitable efforts, Will and several high school friends started the Blue Blazer Fund – a registered 501c3 that sold gently-used blazers with proceeds going to youth in Netanya, Israel. Through sales, fundraising, and grants, the young men were able to raise around a quarter of a million dollars for Israeli youth. Will often donates his time to The Lord’s Place in South Florida. They have been operating for over 40 years focusing on helping to combat homelessness.

College

After Brunswick School, Will Floersheimer was accepted to the well-regarded Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California, where he majored in business. Additionally, he played lacrosse and was actively involved in a fraternity. He served in multiple leadership roles at his fraternity, including those related to philanthropic efforts. In his free time, he avidly followed USC football. On summers off from college, Will diligently applied for and completed finance internships back in NYC and the northeast with plans to move home, including interning for Van Eck Global, a mutual fund/ETF firm specializing in commodities, and GoldenTree Asset Management, a distressed credit-focused hedge fund. In his junior year of college, though, he interned on the west coast at JP Morgan Asset Management’s San Francisco office. Following graduation, Will was hired full-time at JP Morgan’s New York office, fulfilling both the desire to work at a major bank and to return to NYC, where he was born.

Career in Finance

Will’s first two years at JP Morgan were spent as an analyst managing multi-asset portfolios on behalf of public and corporate pension funds. He was subsequently promoted to Associate and supported a $70B portfolio. Will was tasked with portfolio construction and asset allocation across public and private markets, fundraising new assets, as well as meeting with clients to deliver updates on their investments and commentary on the markets. He put his experience in high school and college to use in the realm of directly communicating with clients about market trends and in fundraising and philanthropic efforts for both the company and clients. As he is fluent in Spanish and Italian, he is an important asset for current and future endeavors with international client portfolios.

On his personal time, Will enjoys returning to the west coast for visits, spending time with his family, and continuing to follow college football, particularly his alma mater, the University of Southern California. He spends time with old friends for the holidays like (New Years’ & Halloween). His family is really important to him as well as giving back.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wfloersheimer/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/will-floersheimer-695a34203/

Personal Website: https://www.willfloersheimer.com

Photograph: Will Floersheimer in New York. Professional finance at JP Morgan.

Biography: The Life and Career of Woody Johnson

Woody Johnson Biography

Over the past several decades, businessman Woody Johnson has built a highly successful career. Not only has he seen immense success in the world of business, but as his career matured, he has extended his attentions to both philanthropy and diplomacy. Johnson has accomplished much over the course of his lengthy career and gives much of the credit to his life experiences and the support of his family.

Early Life and Education

From birth, Woody Johnson had strong ties to the world of business due to the family he hails from. Woody Johnson is the great-grandson of Robert Wood Johnson I, co-founder of the now-multinational corporation Johnson & Johnson. This has led many to deem Johnson the heir to Johnson & Johnson’s pharmaceutical, medical device, and consumer goods fortune.

Johnson was born on April 12, 1947 in New Brunswick, New Jersey. His parents were prominent philanthropist Betty Wold Johnson and Robert Wood Johnson III, former president of Johnson & Johnson.

While growing up alongside his four siblings in northern New Jersey, Johnson had the opportunity to attend the esteemed Millbrook school, a preparatory academy located in Dutchess County, New York. Later, he would go on to attend the University of Arizona, where he earned his degree. Throughout his teen and young adult years, Johnson spent his summers working at Johnson & Johnson.

NFL Ownership

After graduating from college, Woody Johnson swiftly went on to build a successful and well-rounded career.

Perhaps most notably, Johnson is widely known as the benefactor who purchased the New York Jets in 2000. Johnson purchased the Jets for $635 million, and the team would later go on to be appraised for $3.2 billion as of 2019. Johnson served as the acting owner and CEO of the Jets until 2017, when a career in international politics beckoned.

Currently, Woody Johnson co-owns the Jets with his brother Christopher Johnson. Although he eventually passed the CEO role onto his brother Christopher, Johnson is still involved with the team. According to Christopher, Jets insiders expect Woody Johnson to soon return to his role as CEO of the team. Once this occurs, Christopher will become the football team’s vice-president.

Political Career

Although Johnson had been involved in political fundraising for a number of years, it wasn’t until 2017 that he took on an international diplomatic position. Impressively, before Johnson took on this role, he had no diplomatic experience under his belt. Nevertheless, despite a lack of first-hand experience, Johnson has always had a strong passion for supporting US-UK ties, which he believes to be important to ensuring the long-term well-being of the United States. Johnson also has a strong interest in military history, and it is his understanding of the post-war partnership formed between the United States and the United Kingdom that reinforced his diplomatic beliefs.

His passion and interests placed Johnson at the forefront of those considered for a diplomatic role that would serve both the United States and the United Kingdom. In 2017, former President Donald Trump selected Johnson for the role of United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom. He served admirably in this role for four years, until his departure in January 2021 with the election of a new administration.

Philanthropic Efforts

Truly, it is not surprising that Johnson has invested so much of his own personal time and funds into philanthropic causes. Woody Johnson’s mother was Betty Wold Johnson, a renowned philanthropist who had a charitable career spanning many decades. In fact, Betty’s philanthropic work continued up until her death in 2020, at the age of 99. Certainly, Johnson has made an effort to follow in his mother’s footsteps. However, while Betty Wold Johnson focused her philanthropic efforts on the arts, a large portion of Woody Johnson’s charitable donations have funded critical medical research.

Notably, Woody Johnson raised money and lobbied in an effort to increase federal funding for diabetes and lupus research. In his efforts to support diabetes research, Woody Johnson served as the chairman of the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation. Currently, Woody Johnson is serving as the Alliance for Lupus Research (ALR)’s founding chairman. He founded the organization in 1999, after his daughter was diagnosed with Lupus. Since then, Johnson has worked to fund further research regarding the disease.

Johnson works prominently with the Robert Wood Johnson Jr. Charitable Trust and serves as a trustee. In fact, among current members of the Johnson family, he is the sole individual to be invited to serve on the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation board.

The Personal Life and Family of Woody Johnson

Woody Johnson has always been highly invested in his family life and is considered a true family man. 

Johnson first married in 1977 to Nancy Johnson, a former fashion model. The couple went on to have three children. However, they would eventually divorce in 2001, and Johnson did not remarry until a number of years later. In 2009, Woody Johnson married Suzanne Johnson, who is his current wife. Suzanne currently serves as the equities managing director at Sandler, O’Neill & Partners. With Suzanne, Woody Johnson has had two more children and now resides in Palm Beach, Florida.

1 2 3 4 8
Go to Top