In the cutthroat entertainment industry, where connections can make or break a career, one individual has mastered the art of building relationships and is quietly constructing an empire. Meet the ultimate super networker, a behind-the-scenes powerhouse who has been instrumental in shaping the careers of some of Tinseltown’s biggest stars. With a Rolodex that reads like a who’s who of Hollywood A-listers, this industry insider has been pulling the strings from behind the curtain, orchestrating deals, and forging alliances that have resulted in some of the most iconic films and TV shows of our time. In a recent expose by The Wall Street Journal, the spotlight shines brightly on this mysterious figure, revealing the intricate web of relationships that have enabled them to amass a staggering amount of influence and power. From blockbuster movie franchises to hit TV series, this super networker’s fingerprints are everywhere, and Geeksultd is here to give you the inside scoop on how they’ve managed to build an entertainment powerhouse that
From Teacher to Hollywood Super Networker
Faber est suae quisque fortunae
I spent the first 8 years of my career working in education, first as a public school teacher and then in educational non-profit. Ultimately, after some twists and turns and almost graduate degrees (I was admitted and never went – actually did get a master’s in 19th century Mexican history), I changed course to build a peripatetic career trying to start companies.
That is a classy way of saying I basically had no plan, limited direction, and it took me about ten years out of school to finally figure out what I wanted to do in life. It wasn’t like I had a big revelation or anything. It was more about leveraging my unique skill set: the ability to spin good yarns, a constant curiosity, poor grapho-motor skills, a love of Kombucha (actually now I’m more into Persian yogurt), and a desire to wear sneakers.
Building a Peripatetic Career
Leveraging Unique Skills: Storytelling, Curiosity, and Kombucha
Figuring Out What to Do in Life: No Big Revelation, Just Hard Work
The Rise of a Serial Entrepreneur
Building Apps and Selling Startups
Creating Three #1 Apps, Including Draw Something
Selling OMGPOP to Zynga for $180 Million and TicketWeb to IAC
Working with Richard Branson at Virgin and Beyond
That was fun.
And way back in the beginning I was on the first team to build Teach For America and I eventually became the President of Teach For America.
And then there were those three years as a Hollywood super agent at WME. That was random.
How did I do it all you ask? Mostly luck, combined with vegetarian living, catching on to TV shows three seasons after everyone else, cheering for losing sports teams (go Eagles) (EDIT- Super Bowl Champs!!), and a complete and utter inability to ever assemble a toy given to my kids (not they are basically grown up so that’s less relevant).
One last thing: everything about business I learned from The Wire.
What It Was Like to Work with a Visionary
I spent the first 8 years of my career working in education, first as a public school teacher and then in educational non-profit. Ultimately, after some twists and turns and almost graduate degrees (I was admitted and never went – actually did get a master’s in 19th century Mexican history), I changed course to build a peripatetic career trying to start companies. That is a classy way of saying I basically had no plan, limited direction, and it took me about ten years out of school to finally figure out what I wanted to do in life.
It wasn’t like I had a big revelation or anything. It was more about leveraging my unique skill set: the ability to spin good yarns, a constant curiosity, poor grapho-motor skills, a love of Kombucha and a desire to wear sneakers. Actually, now I’m more into Persian yogurt than Kombucha.
Learning from the Experience
Here’s some stuff that I did in the process: I made three #1 apps. Why does this amuse me? Because I still remember the first time I used a cell phone. It was as big as a football and had a special suitcase it came in.
The biggest app was Draw Something. The game has well over 250 million downloads and is one of the most downloaded games ever in the history of the iPhone. We sold OMGPOP to Zynga for $180 million. Before I sold OMGPOP, I also sold my first start-up TicketWeb to IAC. To show you my impressive streak, it was twelve years between those two events.
I also worked for Richard Branson at Virgin. That was fun. And way back in the beginning, I was on the first team to build Teach For America and I eventually became the President of Teach For America. And then there were those three years as a Hollywood super agent at WME. That was random.
How did I do it all you ask? Mostly luck, combined with vegetarian living, catching on to TV shows three seasons after everyone else, cheering for losing sports teams (go Eagles) (EDIT – Super Bowl Champs!!), and a complete and utter inability to ever assemble a toy given to my kids (not they are basically grown up so that’s less relevant).
From Education to Entertainment
The Unlikely Transition to Hollywood Super Agent
How a Teacher Became a Hollywood Insider
Lessons Learned from the Experience
Building an Entertainment Powerhouse
The Strategy Behind the Rise to the Top
Lessons from The Wire and Beyond
Business Lessons from an Unconventional Source
What The Wire Taught Me About Business
Applying Those Lessons to Real-Life Situations
Personal Quirks and Business Success
How Vegetarian Living, TV Shows, and Sports Teams Relate to Business Acumen
Conclusion
In conclusion, the article sheds light on the remarkable story of Hollywood’s super networker, who is building an entertainment powerhouse through strategic partnerships and innovative deal-making. By leveraging their vast network and industry expertise, this individual is revolutionizing the entertainment landscape, creating new opportunities for creatives, and redefining the rules of the game. The significance of this phenomenon lies in its potential to democratize access to the entertainment industry, fostering a culture of collaboration and inclusivity.
As the entertainment industry continues to evolve, the implications of this super networker’s approach will be far-reaching. With the rise of streaming platforms and changing consumer habits, the traditional studio system is being disrupted, and new players are emerging. The ability to connect creators, producers, and distributors through a vast network will become increasingly important, and those who can facilitate these connections will hold significant power. As the industry adapts to these changes, the role of the super networker will become even more critical, shaping the future of entertainment and beyond.
