Gareb Shamus
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Gareb Shamus (born in Rockland County, New York ) is the co-founder of the International Fight League and founder and Chairman of Wizard Entertainment Group.
Contents |
[edit] Bio
Gareb began his career after graduating Magna Cum Laude from the State University at Albany in 1990[citation needed]. In 1991, he launched Wizard, the first full-color magazine devoted to the comic book industry. The magazine was a critical and industry success[citation needed], and spawned additional publications including ToyFare, InQuest Gamer, Anime Insider, Special Forces and Toy Wishes all of which have become industry leaders[citation needed]. Using the magazine as the model for success, Wizard then created the industry website Wizard Universe and the Wizard World series of shows and events across the country, bringing market leaders and fans together for multi-day festivals. Shamus' work has been featured in an Inc Magazine cover story in April 2006, along with features in newspapers, television and magazines ranging from the Los Angeles Times, and the New York Post, to CNBC and 60 Minutes.
[edit] Wizard Entertainment Group
Based out of Congers, New York Wizard Entertainment Group (created 1991) is publisher of five award-winning magazines[citation needed], each the leader in their genre[citation needed], with an international monthly circulation of over three million readers in 40 countries and five languages. Wizard is also the industry leader in live comic book events year-round, producing WizardWorld shows in Philadelphia, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Dallas, with a combined draw of over 125,000 enthusiasts per year[citation needed]. Wizard has been voted "Magazine of the Year" for 14 years in a row by hobby store retailers and received four Folio Gold Editorial Excellence Awards[citation needed]. Samir Husni, the country’s leading expert on magazines, recently named Wizard as one of the "Country's Top 20 magazine launches" in the past 20 years[citation needed].
[edit] International Fight League
The International Fight League, which formally launched its first full season in January 2007, brings the power and influence of the fast-growing Mixed Martial Arts industry together in a single-entity team format[citation needed]. The 2007 season will run over a nine-month period, culminating in a championship series in September.
In November 2007 Gareb Shamus resigned from the International Fight League and was replaced by Chief Operating Officer Jay Larkin as CEO.[1] 2007 saw the publicly traded IFL's stock fall from a high of 17 dollars to less than 30 cents a share at the time of Shamus's departure. [2]
