Entertainment and Media Advisory Services
The introduction of digital media is the catalyst for major changes affecting the traditional entertainment business. These changes have created exciting opportunities while also posing significant challenges. Until the new digital media business models replace the traditional revenue streams the key to success during this time of transition is to plant a foot in both worlds. This new division offers services that bridge traditional entertainment businesses, where much of the revenue still lies, and the emerging digital media marketplace. We offer our expertise and services specifically in the areas needed:
- Physical and digital distribution
- Intellectual property rights
- Licensing
- Entertainment industry contract negotiations (film, music and digital rights)
- Exclusive on line publishing
- Career development
Morty Wiggins heads up this division. His resume follows:
Career Biography
Morty Wiggins launched his career in the music business over 25 years ago promoting concerts in Sonoma County, California. Frustrated at not being able to grow as a promoter (all Northern California was considered Bill Graham’s territory), in 1983 Morty went to work for the world - renowned concert promoter and artist manager Bill Graham. During his 15 successful years at Bill Graham Presents Morty became one of the Vice President / partners and signed for management representation the "multi- platinum" recording artists Sheryl Crow, the Gin Blossoms, Aaron Neville and "gold" recording artists Monster Magnet and the Neville Brothers, amongst others.
In 1996, Morty was recruited by A&M Records to become their General Manager. He oversaw the marketing, sales, promotion, publicity, and creative services departments, created and executed quarterly budgets of seven million dollars and scheduled the release of 40 to 50 new releases and over 100 promotional singles.
A&M Records was shuddered with the merger of Polygram Records into Universal Music. In November 2000 Morty conceived, developed and executive produced the music television series, “Live at the Fillmore”, which he syndicated monthly in select cable markets. Episodes featured such up and coming acts that went on to break including Cold Play, Pete Yorn, Lincoln Park and others.
In January 2001 Morty launched and was named President of the independent record company for Tower Records, 33rd Street Records where he developed a novel approach to licensing finished masters from established touring artists. Morty then took on Tower’s independent distribution business, Bayside Entertainment Distribution, and ran Bayside profitably ($25M annual sales) until the sale of the company.
In October 2005 Morty accepted the position of President at the digital media company Outhink. He successfully negotiated some of the first exclusive production contracts for videobloggers and advertising revenue share agreements with publishing sites including Yahoo and Blip.TV. Morty also launched the Outhink podcasting site Towerpod.com which was one of the first websites featuring DRM free full length songs in the MP3 format.
Morty is currently a board member of NARAS and the Bill Graham Memorial Foundation and is happily married to his wife Debbie and a father of three; Jacob, Isaac, and Emunah.
