For anyone generally interested in how networks and studios make money and put money at risk, from the TV shows and movies they produce to the novel challenges they’re facing today, this book provides a unique overview and a glimpse into the future.
―Blair Westlake, Corporate Vice-President Media & Entertainment, Microsoft
Jeff Ulin brings his practical experience and academic understanding of today’s complicated media world together to provide us with a comprehensive guide to navigating a world that changes almost daily!
―Marion Edwards, President, 20th Century Fox International Television
It's very difficult to find a text that gives both a comprehensive overview of the history of the entertainment industry as well as informed insight into its future landscape. Nothing out there does it better.
―Judd Funk, Former Head of Legal Affairs, Universal Pictures; Associate Professor, Lawrence and Kristina Dodge College of Film and Media Arts, and School of Law, Chapman University
Anyone who wants to know more about how films and TV shows are distributed and exploited can learn a huge amount from this book.
――Jim Morris, Pixar Animation Studios General Manager, EVP, Production and Producer, Wall•E; Former President, Industrial Light & Magic
Jeff Ulin’s broad spectrum of expertise, spanning all aspects of motion picture and television distribution, from theatrical to home entertainment to new media and television licensing, render him uniquely qualified to illuminate the business side of the entertainment business.
―Hal Richardson, President of Paramount Worldwide Television
The entertainment industry is an industry with ongoing challenges with constant change. Jeff provides a road map to see where you are going by understanding where you started.
―Louis Feola, Former President Universal Home Video, and Paramount Famous Productions
This is the book that everyone in the business has been waiting for ― Jeff’s seen it all, and has written a must-read book for those wanting to understand the jigsaw of media distribution and in what ways the web is influencing how, when and where money is made.
―Michael Uslan, Executive Producer, Batman, Batman Begins, The Dark Knight
Jeff Ulin’s book is a must read for practitioners, academics and potential investors in the new media space. Having worked in all segments of the industry, Ulin brings together a unique combination of experience and analytical rigor to deconstruct the driving forces of an industry in dynamic change.
―Pablo Spiller, Jeffrey A. Jacobs Distinguished Professor of Business and Technology, Haas School of Business.
Ulin expertly depicts the fluid nature of content creation and distribution in a concise and understandable way. There’s never been a better insider’s look at the choices and challenges that studio executives face every day.
―Gary Marenzi, Former President, MGM Worldwide Television
Every Silicon Valley start-up working with Hollywood needs to know what Jeff knows. With his knowledge, you’re better able to fast forward the future of online video. Without it, you risk being stuck on pause.
―Kevin Yen, Former Director, Strategic Partnerships YouTube
I couldn’t help but be impressed at how up-to-date the book was… [T]his book manages to provide a mine of useful practical information in an interesting and enjoyable style.
―Jim Slater, Cinema Technology
Jeffrey C. Ulin has worked as a media executive, attorney, lecturer, and entrepreneur. Half of his 20+ years in the film business have been at Lucasfilm, where he headed worldwide distribution for all markets (theatrical, video, TV, online), managed sales for Star Wars and Indiana Jones, and oversaw the release of the last Star Wars film made by George Lucas, Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. He also helped manage Paramount and Universal’s overseas video distribution venture; co-founded and ran animation studio Wildbrain Entertainment, where he created Disney’s pre-school hit Higglytown Heroes; and navigated the convergence of digital media at Silicon Valley’s most renowned law firm (Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati). Jeff sits on advisory boards of media start-ups and has used the book to teach the class Media & Entertainment: Economics, Policy, and Strategy at the Hass School of Business, the University of California, Berkeley. He is currently based in Amsterdam, working as General Counsel of Irdeto, a global leader in media delivery and security solutions.
