An entertainment industry veteran with close to 50 years of professional experience in cable television, live events and new media, Larry Namer is a founding partner of Metan Global Entertainment Group (MGEG), a venture created to develop and distribute entertainment content and media specifically for Chinese speaking audiences in China and abroad. In 2018, the company launched the MGEG Film Fund I and serves as a managing partner. He is also the executive producer of the recently announced feature film “EMPRESS,” a new travel series for the China audience titled “Explore The World,” and an executive producer of the new crime series “Nova Vita.” He is a co-founder of the recently launched lifestyle platform BeautyKween. Most recently, he was appointed Chief Operating Officer of FanVestor.
Mr. Namer is the co-founder of E! Entertainment Television, a company now valued at over four billion USD, and the creator of several successful companies in the United States and overseas. Among those companies are Comspan Communications that pioneered Western forms of entertainment in the former Soviet Union and Steeplechase Media that served as the primary consultant to Microsoft’s MiTV for developing interactive TV applications.
Early on, he was named the youngest general manager of a major cable system at Valley Cable TV (VCTV) in Los Angeles. His vision and direction garnered VCTV several Emmy and Cable ACE award nominations, as well as recognition by Forbes magazine as the national model for local cable television programming. In 1989, he was awarded the prestigious President’s Award from the National Cable Television Association. He was honored with the “Outstanding Contribution to Asian Television Award” at the 19th Asian Television Awards in Singapore and received the International Media Legacy Award at the 2017 Elite Awards Foundation Gala. He was the recipient of Lifetime Achievement Awards at the 2018 Hollywood Tribute Awards and the 2019 Hollywood China Night, presented by the American-Chinese CEO Society, both in celebration of the Academy Awards®. In July 2019, he was awarded The Tribeca Disruptor Award at the Novus Summit, held at the United Nations, and in September 2020, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the French Riviera Film Festival.
We sat down with Mr. Namer to ask him a few questions about the recent collaboration between the companies FanVestor and Cre8or Global. The companies are working together to connect celebrities with their fans. The companies want to deliver future investment opportunities, exclusive perks and experiences, as well as fan-focused sweepstakes, eCommerce exclusives and charity offerings to fans.
What made FanVestor interested in partnering with Cre8or Global?
We felt that Cre8or had a unique business model as well as all the resources to execute that plan. They already had some major celebrities and sports figures working with them on beauty, make-up, and wellness products which would fit perfectly into the FanVestor systems. We already had certain celebrities who were looking for strong partners who could take them into those spheres and develop and distribute the products. So, it was a clear and good match for both companies.
What are some things the public can look forward to as a result of this collaboration?
Very quickly you will see a few major celebrities launch their new product lines directly to their fans via FanVestor. These will be special editions that come with some nice perks which can be collectibles or even unique dream experiences. After first exposing these to hardcore fans, then the products will be made available to the general public. Then a little further down the road, you will see that fans will have the opportunity not only to acquire products, but they will be able to invest in those very same companies
What lead you to become the chief operating officer for FanVestor?
Well, I was on the advisory board at first because I was intrigued with the concept, but as time went on I learned a lot more and felt that with what FanVestor had accomplished so far coupled with my skills and connections, there was a great opportunity to make FanVestor a market leader and game-changer.
Are there any celebrities that FanVestor and Cre8or Global want to work with that you haven’t yet?
Yes, I would say there are hundreds of celebs that this makes sense for. FanVestor’s targets are sports, esports, fashion, art, film, TV and music stars, and influencers. Just take a dozen from each group and you are over 100. Then there are so many areas that are of interest to us and to celebrities, beyond unique products. There are securities, bonds, experiences and perks, charity fundraising, auctions, sweepstakes, and so on. Over the career of a celebrity, he or she might want to engage in projects within several of those activities.
Does FanVestor have any ideas for the future for other companies you would like to partner with?
I think the concept of fans wanting to engage with their heroes and celebrities wanting to have a closer, more intimate relationship with their fans is universal. I can see us doing localized versions of FanVestor in other countries and other languages (other than English). I’m a strong believer in finding good, experienced, local partners whenever I engage in business outside the United States.
What advice would you give fans that want to invest in celebrities through FanVestor?
While return on investment is certainly something to consider, think beyond just the monetary measures and of the intangibles that come with it. For example, the Green Bay Packers are owned by fans and they have special shareholder days and even a merchandise catalog of things only available to shareholders. Besides the monetary reward, they relish in having that stock certificate framed and hanging on the wall for all their friends to see. There is a pleasure to be had in supporting your team that way. So, it’s not just money that is part of the ROI. Choose the things you feel passionate about, whether it be a sports team or a celebrity doing great charity work.
How can the public get involved in this partnership between FanVestor and Cre8or Global?
Starting next month, you will begin to see the Website and mobile apps populated with the first of a wave of fan opportunities. You can go on right now and register to be kept apprised of all the news
Since you are using the celebrities’ own fanbases, do you see any major problems occurring with promoting the product line?
Not at all. There will be some very clear communication between the celeb and the fans, so everyone knows what is being offered. When it comes to securities, everything is regulated on a federal level, so there is consistency in what and how opportunities are offered to fans.
Where do you see this partnership going in the future? Will the companies continue to work together to connect celebrities and their fans?
Yes, FanVestor and Cre8or are perfectly aligned. Crea8or knows how to develop and market new products with celebrity tie-ins. FanVestor knows how to monetize fandom. Today with the world-changing the way it has, celebrities and their managers, are looking for new ways, to connect to their fanbases and monetize those connections. FanVestor and Cre8or provide a one-stop shop for them.
