Doug Schwab, Founder and President of Maverick Entertainment was born and raised in New Orleans. He has established himself as one of the leading forces in the world of home video distribution and production. Maverick Entertainment got its start as a leader in the creation, promotion, and distribution of Urban and Latino-Themed films. With a commitment to the highest standard of home entertainment Maverick has expanded its distribution to six specialty labels including Maverick Platinum, Maverick Urban, Maverick Latino, Desire, Creep FX and Maverick Spirit.
Schwab launched Maverick Entertainment in 1997 and has distributed more than 500 straight-to-video feature films since then. He used the expertise — and movie-industry contacts — he gained as a Blockbuster buyer to start his current distribution company.
A 31-year veteran of the home video business and with more than 13 years experience as the owner and founder of Maverick Entertainment Group, Schwab has an unmatched ability to recognize what works. In fact, around his circle he is considered the best at doing so. Doug is a master at putting deals together and excels at positioning the talent and running the show. Today his contacts and relationships remain part of the company's moral fiber.
Continually building upon his successful track record, Schwab launched Maverick Global, an international sales division, at the 2005 American Film Market. Most recently, Schwab spearheaded the development of Maverick Platinum; the company's premium domestic label that features films with world audience flavor and more star power. The Maverick Platinum label appeals to both the global and domestic marketplace.
Pamela White Chief Operating Officer
Pamela White joined Maverick Entertainment Group in 1997 and holds the position of Chief Operating Officer. As Chief Operating Officer, Ms. White is responsible for all corporate operations. She is involved in all major legal decisions, as well as Maverick Entertainment’s business affairs, strategic planning and human resource decisions. In addition, Ms. White oversees all of the domestic and foreign distribution businesses; including domestic video, Video-On-Demand, television and future digital platforms.
Together with her executive team, White has implemented an aggressive business plan that calls for building an expansive library of quality films and television entertainment in all major genres. Ms. White’s business plan also calls for building a strong management staff in all areas of finance, administration, operations, product acquisition, sales, marketing and global distribution.
Ms. White has over 22 years of experience in home video and film production. She has served various Los Angeles-based independent studios in high-level positions from Director of Marketing to Senior Vice President of Operations. Before relocating to California, Ms. White served a 5-year tenure as District General Manager for the largest privately-owned retail and rental video chain in Ohio.
Ms. White received her BFA in Motion Picture Production from Wright State University.
Frank Greco Controller
Frank Greco joined Maverick Entertainment Group in June of 2008 as the Corporate Controller. Mr. Greco is responsible for leading all corporate treasuries, accounting, and human resource functions. As well as performing duties in response to: maintaining financial reporting requirements, internal management reports, providing budgeting support, providing guidance on regulatory issues and performing other appropriate services.
Mr. Greco brings a wealth of product distribution business experience to the Maverick team. He has held a variety of senior financial management positions within the office furniture and business machine industries, where he was instrumental in providing fiscal leadership. Mr. Greco, a CPA, is also an alumnus of Coopers & Lybrand, now Price Waterhouse Coopers, a top tier international firm of Certified Public Accountants.
Frank Greco is a graduate of Iona College and holds an MBA in Accounting.
Melissa Mackenzie Senior Vice President Worldwide Marketing
Melissa Mackenzie holds the position of Senior Vice President Worldwide Marketing. She is responsible for leading the marketing efforts of Maverick Entertainment Group (MEG); working closely with the senior management team to develop marketing strategies and managing the successful execution of those plans. MS. Mackenzie oversees all marketing efforts from creative concept to market rollout for both the domestic and global divisions of the company. In addition, Ms. Mackenzie promotes brand creation for Maverick Entertainment Group as a premier distributor of independent cinema by generating trade name recognition at all major domestic and international film markets and industry trade shows.
Prior to joining Maverick Entertainment Group, Ms. Mackenzie owned and operated InStyle, a graphic arts design firm. Ms. Mackenzie also held the corporate position of Operations Field Analyst at Blockbuster Entertainment Group.
Ms. Mackenzie received a BA degree in Advertising and Public Relations from Florida Southern University.
Steve Bulzoni Senior Vice President of Digital Sales
Steve Bulzoni joined Maverick Entertainment Group as Vice President Digital Media Worldwide in July 2008. He is charged with expanding Mavericks’ global business in the areas of new technology including VOD, PPV, EST, and licensing films to all territories. He will also oversee domestic television sales, forging new alliances with emerging markets and channels.
Bulzoni has over twenty years of successful experience in marketing and selling films with such firms as Bertelsmann, AG (BMG) and Blockbuster Entertainment. Before joining Maverick Entertainment Group, Bulzoni was the Executive Vice President and a Member of Velvet Steamroller Management, LLC. While at Velvet Steamroller, Bulzoni took part in fund raising and deploying a successful private equity film fund. In addition, Bulzoni worked on the films, 2001 Maniacs, There's a God on the Mic, and The Third Nail, along with Percy's Sledge's latest album Shining Through the Rain.
Prior to his tenure with Velvet Steamroller, Bulzoni spent eight years as President/SVP/General Manager of an independent film studio where his responsibilities included sales, marketing, acquisitions, development, accounting, and operations. Bulzoni holds a B.B.A. in Marketing from the University of Iowa in Iowa City.
Bobby Turner Director of National Sales
Bobby Turner is the Director of National Sales for Maverick Entertainment Group’s domestic home entertainment division.
Turner is in charge of domestic DVD sales to national mass merchants and other retailers, distributors, and rental chains and stores. Turner is also responsible for maintaining Maverick Entertainment’s current well-built customer base and developing new valuable customer relationships while representing the company's growing list of commercially strong video releases.
Turner is the former Southwest Regional Sales Manager for Trimark Pictures prior to its acquisition by Lions Gate. Turner’s nearly 20 years of home entertainment experience also includes holding a key sales position with Universal Music and Video Distribution.
Brooke Dinsmoor Social Media Marketing Manager
Brooke Dinsmoor holds the position of Social Media Marketing Manager. She is responsible for managing and growing the company’s online social network through a variety of social media platforms; including, social media SEO, press releases, social media alerts, email campaigns, events, and blogs. Mrs. Dinsmoor develops content and editorial plans for all film releases, to effectively utilize the Maverick Entertainment social media network. Mrs. Dinsmoor works closely with senior management and a team of brand ambassadors, to create exciting and engaging film campaigns that reach film fans across all online platforms.
Brooke Dinsmoor holds a Bachelors degree in Business from Colorado State University.
Jim Fragnito Accounting Manager
James Fragnito oversees all accounting functions on behalf of Maverick Entertainment Group’s domestic, global and corporate businesses.
Mr. Fragnito is responsible for producing quarterly financial statements, tax and other fiscal reporting as well as managing both national and international trade and vendor accounts. In addition, Fragnito administers the company’s employee benefits plan and payroll administration.
On top of his over ten years of accounting knowledge, Fragnito’s nearly 20 years of video store management experience serves as a valuable benefit to the company. Mr. Fragnito is also a licensed mortgage broker and dedicated Miami Dolphins football fan.
Sharon Turlis Operations Manager
Sharon Turlis joined Maverick Entertainment Group in March of 2005,
providing her organizational talents to the over 50 films domestically
released every year. Maintaining an aggressive release schedule,
Turlis’ daily activities include working with producers to provide the video
elements and paperwork needed for the safe and successful release of
each film. Her position is an integral part of interacting with the
Marketing, Accounting and Sales departments, providing art elements,
information and tools for promotion. Ms. Turlis works closely with Maverick
Entertainment’s media technician, Eric Erba in coordinating delivery and
the quality control of masters. As Maverick Entertainment Group has
expanded to provide releases to other formats such as Television, VOD and
the foreign marketplace, Turlis’ efficiency in meeting the increased
delivery demands has proven invaluable.
One of Turlis’
favorite quote from Eric Hoffer is “….it is the learners who inherit the
future.” Helping producers to succeed in distributing their films is one
of the joys of her job.
Yael Meisler Executive Assistant to the President
Yael Meisler serves as the Executive Assistant to
company founder and president, Doug Schwab.
In addition
to her business management duties, Ms. Meisler works closely with the
president, providing assistance while managing a wide variety of
activities including scheduling and planning. Ms. Meisler also serves as the
liaison between the filmmaking community and Mr. Schwab and his executive
acquisitions team providing support, filmmaker communication, and
acquisition and script record maintenance.
Ms. Meisler’s
prior experience in sales and marketing for major regional companies, such
as Horizon Open MRI and Nations Telecom, has greatly contributed to
Maverick’s growth and success.
Yael Meisler holds a
Bachelors of Fine Art from American Intercontinental University.
"Maverick
Entertainment's success starts with our people. We
are a small company but we efficiently operate to develop
strategic relationships with our partners who fall
under our urban alliance. Each person on the Maverick
team cares about the company's success and our filmmakers.
Our team has the mandate to be the number one urban
and Latino home entertainment company in the world."
Doug Schwab
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