Ryan Kavanaugh

Ryan Kavanaugh

Ryan Kavanaugh

Kavanaugh in 2013
Born Ryan Colin Kavanaugh
December 4, 1974 (age 40)
Los Angeles, California
Nationality American
Education B.A. University of California Santa Barbara
Occupation CEO of Relativity Media, financier
Known for Moneyball approach to film finance, philanthropy, wealth
Net worth Increase US$1.0 billion (March 2013)[1]
Spouse(s) Britta Lazenga (2011-2014; divorced), Jessica Roffey (married, 2015)[2]

Ryan Colin Kavanaugh (born December 4, 1974) is an American film producer and film financier. He is the founder and current CEO of Relativity Media.[3][4] Through Relativity, he has financed more than 200 films representing more than $17 billion in revenue[5][6] (earning the nickname "Billion Dollar Producer").[7] He is credited as of April 19, 2014 as the producer of 61 films[8] and known for creating a new "Moneyball" model of film finance.[9]

He was named by Variety as 2011's "Showman of the Year"[10] and was #22 on the Fortune "40 Under 40" list.[11] He was #19 on the Forbes 2013 list of youngest billionaires,[12] and he entered an investment partnership with Ron Burkle. He is active in philanthropy and was named a Hollywood Humanitarian by Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.[13]

Early life

Kavanaugh was born to a Jewish family[14][15] in Los Angeles, California, and raised in Brentwood. His mother, Leslie Levin, is a real estate broker, and his father, Jack Konitz, a dentist turned businessman, was born in Germany; Jack later changed his surname to Kavanaugh before his son's birth.[16][17] After attending UCLA, Kavanaugh founded a small venture capital firm. The firm struggled in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and resulting market downturn and was eventually wound up.[6]

Career

Relativity Media

Main article: Relativity Media

Kavanaugh founded Relativity Media after briefly serving as a consultant to other small businesses and venture capitalists.[6] In the late 1990s, he asked his father for a $50,000 loan to start his own hedge fund; his father declined, but this did not dissuade Ryan, whose aim was to use mathematical tools to connect financing and movie projects in a more efficient manner than traditional Hollywood finance. At Relativity, he created what is now known as "the model", a monte carlo model designed to predict the odds of a given film being successful. No film at Relativity is given a green light unless the model predicts a high probability of profitability. During Relativity’s first year of operation, Kavanaugh executed what was considered to be an innovative finance deal for Marvel Studios which led them to make the successful Iron Man franchise. Kavanaugh went on to structure business deals for such companies as: Sony, Universal, Warner Brothers, among many others. Kavanaugh has acquired a number of assets, including the marketing and distribution operations of John Malone's Liberty Media/Starz film unit Overture Films, and reaching a first of its kind TV pay deal with Netflix.[6]

Kavanaugh forged a marketing, promotional, and production partnership with Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Mobile and Virgin Produced, in which Relativity owns a stake. Kavanaugh also brokered an innovative cross-platform marketing partnership with Clear Channel Radio, the media company with the most reach in the United States. He was also instrumental in launching Relativity's historic partnership with China's Huaxia Film Distribution Co. Ltd. to become equal partners in Sky Land Entertainment with private-equity firm SAIF Partners and IDG China Media to handle production and distribution of films in China and U.S. This marks the first strategic alliance between a Hollywood film production entity and a Chinese government-sponsored company.

Relativity has produced, distributed, and/or structured financing for more than 200 motion pictures, generating more than $17 billion in worldwide box office revenue and earning 60 Oscar nominations.[5][18] In 2012, Kavanaugh brokered a deal in which billionaire Ron Burkle will partner with Relativity and invest $800 million in the company.[19] As Chairman and the largest shareholder, Kavanaugh will retain control of Relativity and control the majority of the board of directors of Relativity.[20]

In 2013, Relativity Media expanded into television (Relativity Television), Sports Management (Relativity Sports) and Digital Content (Relativity Digital), with the aim of leverage divisions to create a global media company.[7]

Recent events

Kavanaugh led a group acquiring FreeHand, a premium dog food manufacturer best known for its work rescuing homeless dogs.[21] He intends to integrate FreeHand into the activities of Relativity, including a TV series based around building a dog food company and increased awareness of dog rescue.[21] He invested $25 million in luxury leather maker nuMobilia in 2012,[18] which was later liquidated in bankruptcy court in June 2013.[22] Kavanaugh is a significant investor in music game creator BandFuse: Rock Legends.[23]

Films produced

Kavanaugh has produced such films as Immortals, Limitless, The Fighter, Mirror Mirror, Safe Haven, and Beyond the Lights. He executive produced The Social Network, which received eight Oscar nominations. His other films include Mamma Mia!, 3:10 to Yuma, Grown Ups and Dear John.[24] He lost his bid for an Academy film credit as producer of The Fighter.[25]

Ironically, despite Kavaugh's "Moneyball" approach to film making, he turned down a chance to invest in the actual movie Moneyball, citing the model's prediction that sports movies are often commercial failures.[26]

Honors and awards

Kavanaugh was honored with the 2009 Hollywood Producer of the Year Award at the 13th Annual Hollywood Awards Gala[27] and Daily Variety published a special issue honoring Kavanaugh as a "Billion Dollar Producer". In 2010, The Hollywood Reporter bestowed the Leadership Award to Kavanaugh and the Daily Reporter dedicated a special issue in his honor as a "Billion Dollar Producer".[28] He was named Variety's Showman of the Year, 2011.[29]

Ryan Kavanaugh giving the keynote at MIPCOM 2013

Kavanaugh was 21st on Fortune's 40 Under 40 Most Influential People in Business in 2010[30] and in Forbes’ Future 400: Ones To Watch. He was named a "Top Thinker" by Esquire.[3][28] He also serves on the boards of other charitable foundations such as Cedars-Sinai Board of Governors and as Chairman of The Art of Elysium.[31]

Personal life

He grew up in Brentwood, California where he attended Brentwood High School, and currently resides in Malibu. In 2011, Kavanaugh married ballet dancer Britta Lazenga.[32] They divorced in 2014.[33] The bachelor party was thrown by actors Leonardo DiCaprio and Bradley Cooper.[34] In 2015, Kavanaugh married model Jessica Roffey.[35]

Philanthropy

Kavanaugh recently became involved in dog rescue through his acquisition of FreeHand, saying that "We hope this will become a staple of Hollywood, and if you are not involved in this, then you’re not promoting social good amongst the animal world."[21] He has been recognized for his charitable work by organizations including Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, whose Board of Governors honored him as the sole winner of the 2010 Hollywood Humanitarian Award;[13] the Sheriff’s Youth Foundation, which presented him with its Community Champion Award in recognition of his outstanding dedication to inner-city young people;[36] and by First Star for his dedication to improving life for child victims of abuse and neglect.

Kavanaugh was honored with the 2011 Entertainment Industry Award by the Anti-Defamation League, a group committed to fighting anti-Semitism and bigotry of all kinds.[36] The award is given to individuals who demonstrate leadership and extraordinary innovation in the entertainment industry. Kavanaugh serves as the Chairman of the Board for The Art of Elysium, an organization that encourages actors, artists and musicians to voluntarily dedicate their time and talent to children who are battling serious medical conditions.[37]

Hacking of Sony accounts in late 2014 revealed that Kavanaugh had sent an email to actresses including Natalie Portman and Scarlett Johansson, telling them to join him in taking action against what he saw as increased antisemitism which could end up as "another Hollacast" [sic].[38]

Quotes

References

  1. ↑ Forbes: The World's billionaires: Ryan Kavanaugh profile, March 2013; accessed March 18, 2014.
  2. ↑ People: Inside Hollywood Mogul Ryan Kavanaugh's Star-Studded Wedding to Model Jessica Roffey, March 2015; accessed March 18, 2015.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Jones, Chris. "Ryan Kavanaugh Uses Math to Make Movies". 2009 Best and Brightest. Esquire. Retrieved September 17, 2012.
  4. ↑ DiGiacomo, Frank. "The Theory of Relativity". Vanity Fair. Retrieved July 18, 2012.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "CASTING HEATS UP ON RELATIVITY MEDIA’S CURRENTLY TITLED OUT OF THE FURNACE". Zamm My Movies. Retrieved July 29, 2012.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Magdevsk, Sonja. "Ryan Kavanaugh: The Fall and Rise". Malibu. Retrieved July 29, 2012.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Forbes: Ryan Kavanaugh profile, March 2013;
  8. ↑ "Ryan Kavanaugh IMDb profile". Retrieved July 29, 2012.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Fischer, Russ. "Producer Ryan Kavanaugh Brings Moneyball Tactics to Filmmaking". Slashfilm. Retrieved July 29, 2012.
  10. ↑ "2011 Showman of the Year". Variety. Retrieved July 29, 2012.
  11. ↑ "40 under 40: #22; Ryan Kavanaugh profile". money.cnn.com. Retrieved July 29, 2012.
  12. ↑ Solomon, Brian (March 4, 2013). "Youngest Billionaires of 2013". Forbes. Retrieved March 11, 2013.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Cedars-Sinai Board of Governors. "Board of Governors Gala". Retrieved September 17, 2012.
  14. ↑ Jewish Journal: "A fundraising feast for Relativity's Ryan Kavanaugh at ADL's annual entertainment dinner" by Danielle Berrin, October 12, 2011; accessed March 18, 2014.
  15. ↑ Variety Magazine: "Jewish is the new red", October 15, 2011; accessed March 18, 2014. “Usually the person standing here is a Jew. I always get the question — Ryan Kavanaugh, red hair — but I'm here once again to assure you I'm Jewish on both sides ... until my mom admits she had an affair with the milkman or the mailman I will stay Jewish on both sides.”
  16. ↑ Ryan Kavanaugh profile, ft.com; accessed March 18, 2014.
  17. ↑ Ryan Kavanaugh profile, vanityfair.com; accessed March 18, 2014.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Allegrezza, Ray. "Film producer Kavanaugh invests $25M in nuMobilia". Furniture Today. Retrieved July 29, 2012.
  19. ↑ Bond, Paul. "Ron Burkle Closes Multiple Investments in Relativity Media". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 29, 2012.
  20. ↑ Block, Alex Ben. "Ryan Kavanaugh Lawyer Threatens New Yorker Over 'Egregious' Ron Burkle profile (exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved November 29, 2012.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 Block, Alex Ben (February 13, 2013). "Relativity's Ryan Kavanaugh Buys Dog Food Company". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 11, 2013.
  22. ↑ "nuMobilia LLC: Private Company info". Businessweek. Retrieved December 6, 2013.
  23. ↑ "Realta Entertainment Group and Rogue Team Up for Authentic Guitar Video Game BandFuse: Rock Legends". Press Release. Retrieved November 29, 2012.
  24. ↑ "Ryan Kavanaugh profile". imdb.com. Retrieved September 17, 2012.
  25. ↑ Fernandez, Sofia M. "Ryan Kavanaugh Loses AMPAS Appeal for 'Fighter' Producer Credit". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 29, 2012.
  26. ↑ Jones, Chris. "Wrench in the machine". ESPN: The Magazine. Retrieved July 29, 2012.
  27. ↑ "HOLLYWOOD FEST". Hollywood Awards. Retrieved July 18, 2012.
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 Visual Hollywood. "The Immortals (crew)". About the Filmmakers. Visual Hollywood. Retrieved September 17, 2012.
  29. ↑ Lodderhose, Diane; McNary, Dave (2011-05-23). "Auction Fever". Variety. Retrieved July 18, 2012.
  30. ↑ "40 Under 40 Business's hottest rising stars (profile)". Fortune/CNN. November 1, 2010. Retrieved July 18, 2012.
  31. ↑ Ryan Kavanaugh Collects Honor From Anti-Defamation League, Joshua (September 13, 2011). "Weinstein". Reuters. Retrieved November 29, 2012.
  32. ↑ Turner, Lauren. "Leo, Bradley, Gerard, and More Celebrate Producer Ryan Kavanaugh's Capri Wedding!". Popsugar. Retrieved July 30, 2012.
  33. ↑ "Page 6". Retrieved January 14, 2014.
  34. ↑ "LEO AND BRADLEY TAKE OFF FOR A GUYS-ONLY PARTY IN CABO!". PopSugar. Retrieved September 17, 2012.
  35. ↑ "Inside Hollywood Mogul Ryan Kavanaugh's Star-Studded Wedding to Model Jessica Roffey". People Magazine.
  36. ↑ 36.0 36.1 TheWrap. "Ryan Kavanaugh Collects Honor from Anti-Defamation League". MSN Entertainment. Retrieved September 17, 2012.
  37. ↑ Relativity Media website; accessed March 18, 2014.
  38. ↑ "Sony hacking: Natalie Portman reluctantly embroiled in lengthy email exchange about anti-Semitism and Gaza". The Independent. December 24, 2014. Retrieved December 27, 2014.

External links