Business Rockstars

Prior to ooVoo, Samit was CEO of SocialVibe, the largest social media technology platform, reaching over 600 million consumers around the world each month for such major brands as Proctor & Gamble, Kraft, Nestle, Toyota, Pepsi, Microsoft, Visa, and Disney. Samit has held global senior management positions at Universal, EMI, and Sony. As Executive Vice President of Sony, Samit implemented a profitable global digital e commerce strategy for Sony and built a new division from scratch — making Sony the #7 largest ecommerce site in the world. As Global President of Digital Distribution & Development for EMI, he broke new ground for the music industry launching digital businesses in over 30 countries. As Senior Vice President of Universal, Samit built one of the first on-line million member social networks in the 1990s and sat on the Studio’s overall steering committee. He received 2011 Pewter Owl for Social Media, the 2010 OMMA Award for Best Online Advertising, the first Gold Record for digital from

Craig Ellins has a varied and impressive business background. He has spent more than 30 years discovering emerging trends and creating start-ups, from being a pioneer in companies offering 24-hour live shopping networks, to developing one of the internet's first streaming video business opportunities. He has launched new products via domestic and international television direct response advertising, including the successful Pilates Performer, BioFlex, Nature's Vision and the Voit Ab Roller. Ellins has been sought out for strategic planning by well-known companies, including NetCom, AT&T, Time Warner Inc., K-Tel International, Fingerhut Corporation, Guthy-Renker, Simitar Entertainment, and Stamina Products. Most recently, Ellins has been developing technology and trade secrets central to the production of cannabis of the variety and type that will support the legal purposes of cannabis that now exist in various states.Ellins is currently the CEO & Chairman of GrowBLOX Sciences, Inc., (OTCQB: GBLX),

Freddie Ravel is the internationally acclaimed Harmonics Maestro that blends his infectious passions for music and business to unlock the minds, hearts and hips of audiences around the world.Backed by number one hits and collaborative successes with Earth, Wind and Fire, Madonna, Prince, Indie Arie, Sergio Mendes, Quincy Jones, Al Jarreau, the Boston Pops and rock legend, Carlos Santana, the chart-topping Keyboardist is the Founder of “Business Harmonics”, the award-winning peak performance system to enhance leadership, innovation and collaboration within major corporations.As an expert on music and business integration, Freddie’s media appearances include FOX, ABC, Universal, Clear Channel, Deepak Chopra’s XM Sirius radio show, and clients such as Andre Agassi, USC, NASA, Apple, Microsoft, Google and Citi.As a one-of-a-kind edutainer, Freddie is a captivating access point through which to transform entrepreneurs, events and companies forever.Emily McDonald, a USC grad, always had an intense love for fashion,

Quest Nutrition is headed by Tom Bilyeu, who oversees close to 300 full-time staff, chiefly in Southern California, leading sales, marketing, content creation and other areas while guiding the company’s culture of passion and transformation.Before launching the venture in 2011, Bilyeu spent seven-and-a-half years as chief marketing officer of Awareness Technologies, a software security company, but eventually realized that “the technology business didn’t provide enough of a real connection with people.” Having grown up in Tacoma, Washington in a family with rampant morbid obesity, he felt a personal need to segue into the health and fitness industry and help his loved ones as well as others seeking change.With a mission to be the leader in functional foods that don’t compromise on nutrition or taste, Quest Nutrition was founded in 2011 by Mike Osborn, Ron Penna and Tom Bilyeu, a visionary entrepreneur who was motivated to launch the venture by a family beset with obesity and a strong desire to help.Technology

While having difficulty getting a table at a local pool hall with one of his friends, David Houston decided he should open a pool hall. In 1989, David opened Q's Billiard Club that is still in its current location today. In 1999, long-time Los Angeles eatery Barney's Beanery came on the market. David jumped at the chance to purchase the restaurant-bar hybrid and has gone on to expand the brand by opening locations in Santa Monica, Pasadena, Burbank and Westwood. Barney's Beanery employs a staff of about 400 that includes a managerial staff including Human Resources and Regional Managers. Today our listeners get to learn how to transition from one business to another, how to make it smooth, and keep it running like a well oiled machine! Simon Mainwaring is the founder of We First, the leading social branding firm that provides consulting and training to help companies tell the story of the good they do to build their reputation, profits and social impact.Simon’s first book, We First: How brands and consumers

William Quigley joined Clearstone Venture Partners (formerly idealab Capital Partners) shortly after its formation and concentrates on its Internet, Gaming and Communications related investments.William’s current portfolio reflects his belief in the enormous opportunities in the consumer Internet, wireless and enterprise markets (Xfire.com, Titan Gaming, AOptix Technologies, SoonR, Meru Networks, Novariant). He is also focused on emerging companies offering managed services in the enterprise and consumer sectors (Communicado, Spock Networks). William is a member of the board of directors of AOptix Technologies, Meru Networks, Novariant, SoonR, Xfire and Evertune.William joined Clearstone from Mid-Atlantic Venture Funds, where he invested in early- stage Internet and communications companies. Prior to MAVF, he was the chief financial officer of Disney’s merchandise licensing division, the world’s largest licensor. Before Disney, he was a consultant with Arthur Andersen where he worked with media entertainment

Todd Ray is the mastermind behind The Venice Beach Freakshow, a classically-inspired circus sideshow with an attached museum of oddities. A 21st century P.T. Barnum with a congenital resistance to very concept of "impossible," Todd has set out to build the world's greatest showcase for the unique, the bizarre and the wondrous.Venice Beach Freakshow opened in 2006, and since then Todd has searched the world for animal anomalies, bizarre artifacts, and people with unusual physiological traits and astounding talents. He has embraced the word "freak" as a joyous rebuttal to "normal" and the pressure of conformity. "Every single one of us, by virtue of our individuality, is an oddity. We're each a freak: a freak of the universe," he stresses. "But a 'freak' meaning the most special, the most unique, the most magical creatures in the universe."Eric Rice is CEO and Founder of TrepScore, a dynamic transparency platform that tracks, analyzes and scores startup execution to help build better decisions and trust for ent

Scott Page is a technologist, entrepreneur, musician and songwriter. Page is most recognized as the saxophonist for Pink Floyd, Supertramp and Toto. As an entrepreneur, he formed Walt Tucker Productions an audio video post production company in 1987. In 1992, he Co-founded 7th Level, Inc., a CD-ROM game and educational software company. Later, Page Co-founded New Media Broadcasting Company, a social media and collaborative communications enterprise. Since 2011, he has been the Co-founder and CEO of Direct2Care, an online presence management company for healthcare.Scott Page has received several acknowledgments and awards, primarily for his technology companies’ achievements. Named one of “50 Pioneers of Multimedia,” Page has been guest lecturer and panelist at numerous conferences and university symposia. His industry acknowledgments include being named one of “The Top 100 Multimedia Producers” by Multimedia Magazine, the “100 Coolest People in Los Angeles” by Buzz Magazine, and one of “50 New Media Innovator

Jay Alan Samit is president of ooVoo – the world’s largest provider of social video chat with 50 million registered users. Samit is a leading technology pioneer with over 25 years experience in digital media. Prior to ooVoo, Samit was CEO of SocialVibe, the largest social media technology platform, reaching over 600 million consumers around the world each month for such major brands as Proctor & Gamble, Kraft, Nestle, Toyota, Pepsi, Microsoft, Visa, and Disney. Samit has held global senior management positions at Universal, EMI, and Sony. As Executive Vice President of Sony, Samit implemented a profitable global digital ecommerce strategy for Sony and built a new division from scratch — making Sony the #7 largest ecommerce site in the world. As Global President of Digital Distribution & Development for EMI, he broke new ground for the music industry launching digital businesses in over 30 countries. As Senior Vice President of Universal, Samit built one of the first on-line million member social

Keith Chambers has assisted more than five hundred goods and service providers in formulating their marketing approach, including Clorox, Del Monte, Campbell’s, Coppertone, Arm &Hammer, Sparkletts, Hormel, Scotch-Brite, and Equal.He has helped brands as varied as Claritin and the Miss America Pageant develop and convey their product message to the consumer.The firm began as a successful package design studio for brands such as Coca Cola Foods, Van de Kamps, and Minute Maid.In 1988, when Sega approached him for assistance with their package design image for a new high-powered home video game platform. When told the company had yet to name their product, Keith saw an opportunity. His group created the brand Sega Genesis; by its second year, Sega Genesis was exceeding $500 million in sales.Considered unorthodox by many, The Chambers Group has brought originality to their marketing approach.Pierre Vudrag has always had a love of vintage posters, rock pictures, and collecting. After graduating from the High Sc

Tony Horton is the creator behind P90X® - the best selling fitness program in America. Over the past 25 years, Tony has inspired and motivated people all over the world by sharing his fitness expertise with professional athletes, sports teams, television and film stars, recording artists and 4 million plus people.Tony changes lives with the perfect mix of physical fitness routines, encouragement, humor, discipline and fun. His specialties includes weight/resistance training, cardiovascular/aerobic training, advanced stretching, yoga, boxing and kickboxing, plus circuit, cross and interval training and post-rehabilitation training. Using his personally developed Muscle Confusion techniques, his methodology allows individuals to reach their fitness goals, prevents plateaus and, most importantly staves off boredom from the same old workouts.Tony released his book “Bring It,” and “Crush It,” with Rodale Books. Tony has been featured in numerous national publications including Men’s Fitness, Fitness, SELF, The Ne

Keith Chambers has assisted more than five hundred goods and service providers in formulating their marketing approach, including Clorox, Del Monte, Campbell’s, Coppertone, Arm & Hammer, Sparkletts, Hormel, Scotch-Brite, and Equal.He has helped brands as varied as Claritin and the Miss America Pageant develop and convey their product message to the consumer.The firm began as a successful package design studio for brands such as Coca Cola Foods, Van de Kamps, and Minute Maid.In 1988, when Sega approached him for assistance with their package design image for a new high-powered home video game platform. When told the company had yet to name their product, Keith saw an opportunity. His group created the brand Sega Genesis; by its second year, Sega Genesis was exceeding $500 million in sales.Considered unorthodox by many, The Chambers Group has brought originality to their marketing approach.Renée Strauss is synonymous with weddings. She has guided brides from around the world achieve their personal best and

Scott Page is a technologist, entrepreneur, musician and songwriter. Page is most recognized as the saxophonist for Pink Floyd, Supertramp and Toto. As an entrepreneur, he formed Walt Tucker Productions an audio video post production company in 1987. In 1992, he Co-founded 7th Level, Inc., a CD-ROM game and educational software company. Later, Page Co-founded New Media Broadcasting Company, a social media and collaborative communications enterprise. Since 2011, he has been the Co-founder and CEO of Direct2Care, an online presence management company for healthcare.Scott Page has received several acknowledgments and awards, primarily for his technology companies’ achievements. Named one of “50 Pioneers of Multimedia,” Page has been guest lecturer and panelist at numerous conferences and university symposia. His industry acknowledgments include being named one of “The Top 100 Multimedia Producers” by Multimedia Magazine, the “100 Coolest People in Los Angeles” by Buzz Magazine, and one of “50 New Media Innovator

Howard Marks is Co-Chair of Start Engine and CEO of Gamzee. Howard is an incredibly successful technology entrepreneur that has worked with a number of companies specializing in the video game, online gaming, social gaming and internet education industry. He is also working as the CEO of Gamzee, a company he founded in April 2011 with the stated goal of disrupting the gaming industry by making games that anyone can play anywhere, anytime, and on any device. In 2005, Howard founded Acclaim Games. After its acquisition by Playdom, he became head of the Acclaim studio and Sr. VP, Strategic Planning at Disney Interactive Media Group. Howard got his start in 1983 while a student at the University of Michigan. In 1991 as a co-founder, member of the board of directors and Executive Vice-President of Activision, Howard helped turn a brand that was largely viewed as dead weight into the leading powerhouse of the video game industry.Samit has held global senior management positions at Universal, EMI, and Sony. As Ex

Simon Mainwaring is the founder of We First, the leading social branding firm that provides consulting and training to help companies tell the story of the good they do to build their reputation, profits and social impact.He is a member of the Sustainable Brands Advisory Board, the Advisory Board of the Center for Public Diplomacy at the USC Annenberg School, the Transformational Leadership Council and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts in London. He contributes to Fast Company, Forbes, Huffington Post, Mashable, and GOOD Magazine on branding and social technology.Simon’s first book, We First: How brands and consumers use social media to build a better world (Palgrave Macmillan) is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Amazon bestseller. It was named an Amazon Top Ten Business Book for 2011, 800CEORead Top Five Marketing Book for 2011, and strategy+business named it the Best Business Marketing Book of 2011. It has been translated into Russian, Chinese, Taiwanese and Korean.Simon was included in Trust

Andy Abramson is the founder of Comunicano, Inc., a 20+ person asymmetrical communications consultancy, geared to providing clients with Senior Advising, Marketing Communications, Corporate Communications and Marketer-In-Residence services to start-ups, companies in transition and established brands with regard to influencer relations, marketing, advertising, public relations, social media, promotion, events and reputation management in the technology, consumer products and business to business markets. In the last 10 years 27 of his agency’s clients have exited, with three IPOs. Some of the acquiring companies include Google, eBay, Yahoo, Nokia, Cisco, IBM, Citrix Online, Computer Associates, Symantec and Logitech.For 14 years Andy was Ken Rutkowski’s co-host on KenRadio’s World Technology Roundup and remains an active blogger with both VoIPWatch and Working Anywhere, two blogs that focus on emerging communications and the virtual workplace.Private membership airline Surf Air announced that Jeff Potter, form

Keith Chambers has assisted more than five hundred goods and service providers in formulating their marketing approach, including Clorox, Del Monte, Campbell’s, Coppertone, Arm &Hammer, Sparkletts, Hormel, Scotch-Brite, and Equal.He has helped brands as varied as Claritin and the Miss America Pageant develop and convey their product message to the consumer.The firm began as a successful package design studio for brands such as Coca Cola Foods, Van de Kamps, and Minute Maid.In 1988, when Sega approached him for assistance with their package design image for a new high-powered home video game platform. When told the company had yet to name their product, Keith saw an opportunity. His group created the brand Sega Genesis; by its second year, Sega Genesis was exceeding $500 million in sales.Considered unorthodox by many, The Chambers Group has brought originality to their marketing approach.Renée Strauss is synonymous with weddings. She has guided brides from around the world achieve their personal best and f

Andy Abramson is the founder of Comunicano, Inc., a 20+ person asymmetrical communications consultancy, geared to providing clients with Senior Advising, Marketing Communications, Corporate Communications and Marketer-In-Residence services to start-ups, companies in transition and established brands with regard to influencer relations, marketing, advertising, public relations, social media, promotion, events and reputation management in the technology, consumer products and business to business markets. In the last 10 years 27 of his agency’s clients have exited, with three IPOs. Some of the acquiring companies include Google, eBay, Yahoo, Nokia, Cisco, IBM, Citrix Online, Computer Associates, Symantec and Logitech.For 14 years Andy was Ken Rutkowski’s co-host on KenRadio’s World Technology Roundup and remains an active blogger with both VoIPWatch and Working Anywhere, two blogs that focus on emerging communications and the virtual workplace.Scott Page is a technologist, entrepreneur, musician and songwriter.

Jay is the Executive Chairman of Realty Mogul and sits on the Board of Directors. Jay was most recently the President of ooVoo. Prior, Samit was CEO of SocialVibe and has held global senior management positions at Universal, EMI, and Sony. A leading technology pioneer for over 25 years, Samit has sold companies to Fortune 500 firms and taken companies public in addition to creating multi-million dollar strategic partnerships with Best Buy, Coca Cola, Ford, General Motors, McDonald's, Microsoft and United Airlines. Samit’s charity work ranges from the first Internet Charity Auction to Tsunami Aid (with NBC) and Concert for Hurricane Relief (with MTV).During President Clinton’s administration, as Director of the National Education Technology Initiative, Samit was charged with getting the Internet into America’s public schools by the White House. Samit is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of UCLA and an adjunct Professor at USC Viterbi School of Engineering.Renée Strauss is synonymous with weddings. She has guided brid

Matt Sapaula, is a financial coach with the goal of redefining his clients' future by giving them the information, tools and guidance they need to take charge of their finances and create a better life. For over a decade he has proactively educated the community in financial strategies, helped clients identify hidden assets and encourages his audience to turn missed opportunities into second chances.Matt began his career in the financial services industry by working at a large brokerage firm in southern California in transition from active-duty service in the United States Marine Corps. In the Marines, Matt's dedication to his country, his unit, and his duties propelled him to become a decorated military veteran while serving in Somalia, Africa, through Asia and the Persian Gulf. This time also gave him the values, discipline and drive that he brings to the financial services industry.Julie Bombacino understands the needs and concerns of the caretakers and customers she serves.Bombacino, founder and CEO of Ju