Elliot Mintz (born February 16, 1945) is American media consultant and publicist whose clients have included the John Lennon Estate, Bob Dylan, Paris Hilton, Chris Brown, Yoko Ono, Christie Brinkley, Crosby, Stills and Nash, Diana Ross, Don Johnson, Melanie Griffith and others.
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In the late 1960s, Elliot Mintz had two shows on KPFK (Pacifica Foundation, sister stations in Berkeley, KPFA and KPFB) in Los Angeles, California, Looking In and Looking Out.[1]
In 1971 he hosted a Kaiser Broadcast syndicated television show that integrated musical guests with film clips shot in and around Southern California. In 1973, Mintz was the entertainment correspondent for Eyewitness News on KABC television in Los Angeles.
Beginning in 1988, he hosted a weekly syndicated radio series, The Lost Lennon Tapes, heard globally each week for almost four years. The hundreds of hours of broadcasts contained previously unreleased tracks, rehearsals, composing tapes, interviews and home recordings of John Lennon, whom Mintz met in 1971.
Mintz has appeared in two feature documentaries about Lennon and Yoko Ono and written an essay about his relationship with them published in 2005 by Harper Collins in a book entitled "Memories of John Lennon".
In addition to entertainers, Mintz represents CEOs and corporations including Westwood One Radio, Planet Hollywood Hotel and Casino, Bijan Fragrance, and Penthouse Magazine. He also consults with record companies as well as motion picture studios. He provides free media advice for charities and causes he supports as well.
Mintz is referenced in more than 50 books, hundreds of newspaper and magazine articles and appears frequently on national television speaking on behalf of his well known clients. Although he handles all aspects of entertainment and business publicity services including branding, media makeovers, on camera interview preparation, website creation, and national promotions, he is best known for being a spokesman for high profile public figures. He has been referred to in the press as a 'spin doctor' or 'crisis manager'.
Mintz also makes television appearances to discuss such matters as the 'power and pitfalls of celebrity', the paparazzi, the new media and what he refers to as 'the myths of fame and publicity'. Prior to his career as a media consultant, Elliot Mintz spent ten years as a radio and television talk show host. He interviewed hundreds of guests on radio stations KMLA, KPFK, KLAC, KMET, KPPC, KLOS and KABC in Los Angeles as well as syndicated radio programs for 'Inner-View' and 'Earth News Radio'.
What is also significant is that Mintz has not only been a buffer, for his clients, but has undertaken the job of hiring various investigators to insulate and intercede, with clandestine operations, situations which could embarrass his clientele.
His role in "black ops" is known but to a few, however, it does represent a somewhat dark side to Mintz's somewhat benign persona.
In a profile on Mr. Mintz published in 'The New York Times' in August 2006, he expressed a desire to retire, move to a ranch and be around horses. Mintz has also expressed interest in starting a family.
