| EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
General Overview
Every few decades a major new technology or market trend
results in a wholesale leap in business opportunities
for creators and distributors of American entertainment
content.
Now, rapidly accelerating global demand for filmed entertainment
is driving a new wave of growth and profitability for
American companies. New distribution technologies like
DVD, internet streaming, and direct-to-home satellite
transmissions have significantly increased the number
of channels available, and the need for content accordingly.
Although there are many established companies competing
for the global entertainment dollar, the market is expanding
so quickly that it has created abundant opportunities
for new entities with solid niche strategies such as
Shapiro Media Group ("SMG" or the "Company").
SMG was founded in July 2002, in Los Angeles, California
by Jay Shapiro. Mr. Shapiro had previously served as
the final Chief Executive Officer of Team Communications
Inc. ("TEAM"), an independent publicly traded NASDAQ
motion-picture company. Mr. Shapiro, an internationally
recognized financial advisor and CPA in the entertainment
industry, was requested by TEAM's Board of Directors
to "reorganize" the troubled film company after the
termination of his predecessor. After approximately
two years he determined that the best strategy for TEAM
was asset liquidation for the benefit of its creditors,
and a TEAM management spin-off into SMG to develop,
produce and distribute new concepts for the entertainment
marketplace. The Company is a diversified company engaged,
on a risk-managed basis, in the development, financing,
production and distribution of new entertainment content
for the worldwide audience. The Company's objective
is to build enterprise value by creating a library with
distribution rights that will be exploited in all markets
and all media. In addition, when the timing is appropriate
the Company will exploit ancillary revenue opportunities
generated by its programming content in the book and
record publishing, feature film distribution, new media
and merchandising industries.
In 2003, SMG formed a division, SMG
Financial Services.
In 2006, we merged with Sunrise Media Group and changed our corporate name accordingly.
The Business Approach
The Company's business approach is driven by a shared
desire among its principals to create a viable alternative
to the cumbersome and often inefficient business practices
of other filmed entertainment producers and distributors.
In contrast to other companies, this Company will be:
- Project-driven. The Company's investment
and growth will occur on a strict "as-needed"
basis, with projects initiated only when the commercial
prospects are reasonably assured and the investment
risk is minimized.
- Economical. Management will exercise
rigorous control over the Company's costs, both
at the corporate level and the individual project
level. Necessary expenditures will be made only when
the expected financial returns on investment are attractive.
- Talent-friendly. The Company's
principals recognize that success in the filmed entertainment
industry is driven largely by the ability to attract
quality creative talent. Management will draw upon
its extensive relationships worldwide and strive to
create a culture that is attractive to and supportive
of writers, directors, actors and other creative talent.
- Responsive. The major distribution
companies have size and numerous layers of bureaucracy,
which often make the decision-making process slow
and unwieldy. SMG management will take hands-on responsibility
for project treatments and scripts, and evaluate budgets
quickly in order to minimize the bureaucracy and "turnaround"
time for making decisions.
The Management Team
The Company's management team is comprised of highly
experienced business and industry professionals, who
among them have been involved with the production, finance,
acquisition and valuation of numerous libraries, motion
pictures, television programs, commercials and music
videos ranging from low budget independent projects,
to major studio blockbusters with top-caliber acting
and directing talent. They have managed or participated
directly in sales and marketing, distribution, and all
phases of the film and video production process, from
development, pre-production, principal photography,
post-production, directing and producing. They also
provide financial and
litigation support services to the entertainment
industry.
Sales and Marketing
The Company's management has deep and well-established
contacts with film and television producers, distributors,
advertisers, licensors, and broadcasters throughout
the world.
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