or


[05/31/12 - 07:55 AM]
CORE Media Group Launches With Focus On Creating, Managing And Cultivating Compelling, Original Content And Iconic Entertainment Brands
CORE Media Group is the newly branded version of the company formerly known as CKx.

[via press release from CORE Media Group]

CORE Media Group Launches With Focus On Creating, Managing And Cultivating Compelling, Original Content And Iconic Entertainment Brands

Formerly Known as CKx, CORE Media Group Assets Include American Idol, So You Think You Can Dance, Elvis Presley Enterprises and Muhammad Ali Enterprises

CORE Bolsters Senior Management Team with Four Key Additions

NEW YORK, May 31, 2012 -- From legendary icons like Elvis Presley and Muhammad Ali to enduring properties of the future like American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance, CORE Media Group, Inc. announced its launch today, a newly branded version of the company formerly known as CKx. The announcement was made by CORE Media Group President Marc Graboff, who joined the company earlier this year, following its acquisition in 2011 by affiliates of Apollo Global Management, LLC. As part of the announcement, Graboff also named members of a new senior management team.

"With an increasing demand for original programming on traditional broadcast and cable television, as well as the proliferation of digital distribution platforms with their own original content needs, there has never been a better time to be a creator and owner of content," said Graboff. "We have an extraordinary base of existing assets and an infrastructure that makes us uniquely suited to exploit our intellectual property across all revenue streams, including licensing, merchandising and integrated marketing. Our mandate is to grow the assets we have, and cultivate new ones, to become a real presence as a platform agnostic producer and owner of content."

CORE Media Group's portfolio of world-class brands and properties reaches across virtually every aspect of the entertainment industry.

American Idol is perhaps the most influential show in television and music history. It is broadcast in over 100 countries, has launched the careers of numerous Grammy-winning singers, propelled the FOX network to the number one position among the coveted 18-49 demographic, and set the gold standard for a generation of competitive reality programs.

With more than 150 albums and singles certified gold, platinum or multi-platinum, Elvis Presley continues to show the world why he's the King. From Broadway plays and live entertainment to books, movies, television, music, and concerts, Elvis sightings occur every day, all over the world. With more than six million fans on Facebook, over 70,000 official app downloads and more than five million unique visitors annually to Elvis.com, he is also now the King of Digital.

Since its premiere in 2005 to over 10 million viewers, So You Think You Can Dance has continued to be one of the most popular shows on television and a bona fide summertime reality TV hit. It has taken the top spot in its time slots, won Emmys in every year since its inception, and become a social media phenomenon, generating over 70 million fan votes per season. The format for So You Think You Can Dance has been licensed internationally to over 24 different countries, a testament to the show's universal appeal and cross-cultural impact.

The Muhammad Ali brand pervades nearly every aspect of popular culture, from sports and fitness to advertising, television and film. Ali is the world's most recognized celebrity athlete and his image has appeared in marketing campaigns for such companies as Mercedes, Apple, Gatorade, IBM, and Adidas, and soon to include Louis Vuitton. He continues to grace countless magazine covers, books, fine art, and licensed consumer products. Ali's photos and quotes are among the most iconic in sports history. An athlete, artist, humanitarian, and outspoken political figure of unwavering integrity, Ali changed world around him and remains a figure of inspiration to millions.

Based in Los Angeles, 19 Entertainment is CORE Media Group's creative production, recording, touring and artist management arm, responsible for the development and production of both American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance. The company is currently a party to long-term recording agreements with numerous best-selling former Idol contestants including Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Chris Daughtry, Adam Lambert, and Scotty McCreery. 19 Entertainment also continues to manage a number of American Idol winners and finalists, including this year's finalist Phillip Phillips and runner-up Jessica Sanchez. The company provides a critical platform for the development of new entertainment properties, an unparalleled creative production capability, and the artist management skills required to extend CORE Media Group's branded talent to millions of audiences worldwide.

CORE Media Group's corporate headquarters is located in New York City, with additional offices in Los Angeles and Memphis, Tenn. As part of today's announcement, Graboff also named a series of executives to join him on the management team.

"Our focus now is to take CORE to the next level. This means everything from creative content, and new means of distribution to changing the way we partner with sponsors, producers and artists to grow our business," said Graboff. "These executives have the broad institutional knowledge combined with a deep understanding of how to accomplish all of our goals, and I am thrilled to welcome them to CORE."

Peter Hurwitz joins as Executive Vice President, General Counsel of CORE Media Group. An accomplished lawyer with extensive experience in the media business, Hurwitz came from Martha Stewart Omnimedia, where he oversaw all business and legal affairs for the multi-media company, and played a lead role in structuring and negotiating the launch of existing and new programming on Hallmark Channel.

Kay Straky is joining CORE Media Group as Executive Vice President, Human Resources. Previously she worked at Relativity Media, LLC where she was responsible for developing and implementing strategic HR programs, policies and process to support the company's strategic vision and growth targets.

Matt Apfel joins CORE Media Group as its Chief Digital Officer. Previously, he was a member of the original programming team at Ogilvy Entertainment, where he oversaw a slate of content franchises with leading networks, distribution partners, and brands.

Jason Morey will serve as Executive Vice President and Worldwide Head of Music for 19 Entertainment. Morey served previously as President of Morey Management Group.

These newly-named executives join CORE Media Group Chief Financial Officer Tom Benson and Chief Marketing Officer Chris Gannett, both of whom were previously with CKx. In addition, Jack Soden is the Chief Executive Officer of Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc, a position he has held since 1990.

For more information about CORE Media Group, its executives and its assets, please visit our website at www.coremediagroup.com.





  [may 2012]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
  


· AMERICAN IDOL (ABC)
· SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE (FOX)





[04/04/25 - 10:48 AM]
Video: Watch A First Look - ID's "All Access PD: Grand Rapids" Premieres Tuesday, April 8 at 10/9c on ID
The new series offers unprecedented access to the inner workings of the Grand Rapids Police Department.

[04/04/25 - 10:32 AM]
New Season of "Gold Rush: White Water" Premieres Friday, April 25 at 8PM ET/PT on Discovery Channel
Last year, Dustin Hurt's crew struck a 6-ounce, $70K nugget - the biggest in Gold Rush history. This season, he's risking everything for more.

[04/04/25 - 09:01 AM]
Hit the Gas! Prime Video Releases Premiere Date and First-Look Images for Electrifying New YA Drama "Motorheads"
All 10 episodes will debut exclusively on Prime Video on Tuesday, May 20 in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.

[04/04/25 - 08:31 AM]
Peacock Exclusively Streams Blumhouse's "Wolf Man" Beginning April 18
Directed by acclaimed horror filmmaker Leigh Whannell, the film stars Christopher Abbott, Julia Garner, Sam Jaeger, Matilda Firth, Benedict Hardie and more.

[04/04/25 - 08:01 AM]
HBO Original Film "Mountainhead," Written and Directed by Jesse Armstrong, Debuts May 31
The film finishes production this week in Park City, Utah and marks Armstrong's feature directorial debut.

[04/04/25 - 07:45 AM]
Prime Video Greenlights "Taurasi"
The three-part docuseries chronicles the extraordinary story of basketball legend Diana Taurasi, whose relentless pursuit of greatness has transcended the boundaries of sport.

[04/04/25 - 07:02 AM]
Video: "Earnhardt" - Larger Than Life Teaser - Prime Video
The new original series is coming to Prime Video on Memorial Day Weekend.

[04/04/25 - 07:01 AM]
Paramount+'s New Series "MobLand" Breaks Record as Biggest Global Series Premiere Ever with 2.2 Million Global Viewers on Premiere Day
"'MobLand' is a runaway success thanks to the visionary work of Guy, Jez, Ronan and David Glasser and brought to life by the exceptional Tom Hardy, Pierce Brosnan and Helen Mirren who transport us into a world audiences clearly cannot get enough of," said Chris McCarthy.

[04/04/25 - 02:26 AM]
"Rotten Legacy", Starring Jose Coronado, Premieres on Netflix May 16
In "Rotten Legacy," Federico (Jose Coronado) is forced to step away from his communication companies to recover from an illness that kept him sidelined for two years.

[04/03/25 - 02:00 PM]
Video: Trailer and Key Art for "Not Just A Goof" Available Now
Just in time for the 30th anniversary of "A Goofy Movie," this documentary follows a young creative team tackling their first Disney feature, facing disappointment upon release, only for the film to gain a passionate following decades later.

[04/03/25 - 12:06 PM]
Twelve Rebellious Chefs Are Set for Battle on NBC's Bold New Cooking Competition Series "Yes, Chef!" Hosted by Emmy-Award Winning Chefs Jose Andres and Martha Stewart
The series will premiere on Monday, April 28 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on NBC following "The Voice."

[04/03/25 - 12:01 PM]
ABC Renews "9-1-1," "Grey's Anatomy," "The Rookie," "Shifting Gears" and "Will Trent" for 2025-26 Season
The network confirmed the pickups on social media this afternoon.

[04/03/25 - 12:00 PM]
CBS to Present MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) for the First Time, Airing Live Sunday, Sept. 7 from UBS Arena, and Streaming on Paramount+
The 2024 VMAs delivered its biggest multi-network audience in four years and ranked as the most social VMAs in show history, with 66.7 million social interactions.

[04/03/25 - 11:53 AM]
Awesomeness Aquires the Rights to "Racing Hearts," Highly Anticipated Debut Novel from Ann Adams
Set in the cinematic world of competitive rowing, "Racing Hearts" is a coming-of-age romance that follows Olympic hopeful Katherine Parker, who is sent home to Berkeley after another failed race to work with a new coach, Adrian.

[04/03/25 - 11:00 AM]
CBS Gives First Look at "The Equalizer" Spin-Off Featuring Titus Welliver and Juani Feliz
In the episode, airing April 20, McCall is contacted by Samantha Reed, whose father, ex-CIA agent Elijah Reed, is missing.