GMR Marketing merges with AWE and expands entertainment marketing services
Marketing firm hires executive to oversee new London office
GMR Marketing, LLC (GMR) has completed a merger with AWE, further solidifying GMR's position in the event marketing industry and broadening the agency's entertainment core competency.
After working on shared projects for over two years, AWE will now join GMR's current entertainment structure, creating a new division named GMR Entertainment with offices in Los Angeles, New York, Chicago and London. GMR Entertainment will be managed from GMR's New York location and led by AWE (GMR Entertainment) co-presidents Bobby Oppenheim and Marcus Peterzell, who will serve as co-managing directors, with all current staff staying in place.
"It is a natural transition," said Craig Connelly, President, GMR. "Music and entertainment marketing have been part of GMR's core capabilities since its inception in 1979. With the addition of GMR Entertainment, we are adding to and further diversifying our entertainment offerings, including digital marketing and branded entertainment."
"We have collaborated with GMR on various programs over the years, including the recently recognized Axe/Ludacris partnership which won a 2007 Promo Live award, and always felt that the combination of our talents and resources provided the best entertainment marketing solutions for our clients," said Oppenheim.
The A&E Criss Angel Mindfreak Times Square Event in early June was the first official rollout of GMR Entertainment. The companies combined services included complete event concepting, site development and construction, production of the overall event and securing the NASDAQ and Reuters super screens in Times Square to simulcast the event during the death-defying promotion. The live simulcast garnered more than 41,000 unique viewers, 141,000 streams and 2.7 million total viewers, making it the best Criss Angel Mindfreak delivery ever among total viewers.
Coinciding with the merger, GMR Entertainment is pleased to announce the addition of three key executives to the team as part of the growth plan:
Michael Paoletta has been appointed VP of Marketing in the New York office. Paoletta has extensive experience in the music and entertainment industry holding positions as Brand Marketing Editor and Senior Music Writer for the internationally renowned Billboard Magazine.
David Wille will serve as VP of Marketing for GMR Entertainment's new London office opening mid-fourth quarter 2007. Wille most recently worked as Director of International Marketing WMI for Warner Brothers Records UK and Atlantic Records UK.
Michelle Uher joins GMR Entertainment as Senior Director of Digital Marketing. Her previous employment was with Navarre Corporation, a leading entertainment distribution company, where she oversaw the company's audio and video commerce and marketing digital initiatives.
About GMR Entertainment/GMR Marketing:
GMR Entertainment offers clients comprehensive services including: music/entertainment strategy and consulting; talent procurement and licensing; experiential live activation; entertainment partnerships; brand integration/product placement; and digital consulting and marketing.
GMR Marketing opened its doors in 1979 and quickly pioneered the discipline of event marketing, now often referred to as "live marketing." GMR produces more than 700 live events each week, connecting brands and consumers with innovative sports, music, lifestyle and grassroots programs. The agency has received numerous industry accolades including Promo Magazine's "Agency of the Year" award.
With offices in Milwaukee, Chicago, Charlotte, Detroit, San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York Seattle, Toronto and London, GMR Marketing is a member of The Radiate Group, a global network of independently branded marketing services agencies operating within the Omnicom Group Inc. For more information about GMR Marketing, visit gmrlive.com or contact Mary Christine at 262/780-6172 or mchristine@gmrlive.com.
- The Radiate Group, a division of Omnicom Group, Inc.
AWE, formally Aaron Walton Entertainment, was founded in 1989 and was acquired by the Omnicom Group, Inc. in 2001. Within Omnicom, AWE is a part of the Radiate Group of companies. A global entertainment marketing agency, AWE offers clients a variety of services including:
- Entertainment Marketing Strategy & Consulting
- Integrated Marketing Program Execution
- Mobile and Digital Content Strategy and Licensing
- Music and Talent Supervision
- Alternative Entertainment Media
During the past 15 years AWE has created a host of ground breaking entertainment marketing solutions for world class brands across the globe including A&E Television, Nokia, Pepsi, Budweiser, Whirlpool, Chivas Regal and General Motors.
Co-President
Bobby Oppenheim joined AWE in April 2004 where he spearheads the agency's business development efforts.
Prior to joining AWE, Bobby served as Senior Vice President of Business Development at MusicVision for nearly four years, overseeing the company's digital music platforms and global licensing initiatives. In this role, Bobby developed programs for its largest corporate clients including Nokia, Hyundai, and Verizon Wireless, and was responsible for the strategic growth of the MusicVision network to include some of the largest music brands on the web.
Previously, Bobby held strategy and finance positions at both America Online and Sony Music. A graduate of The University of Michigan Business School, Bobby obtained his CPA in 1992 while working at Arthur Andersen & Co., where he concentrated on the Advertising and Consumer Products industries.
Co-President
Marcus Peterzell joined AWE in 2004 where he leads the company's sales and marketing efforts. Previously Marcus served as MusicVision's Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing overseeing the company's entertainment marketing initiatives where he executed integrated marketing programs for the major record labels, film studios and television networks including VH1, A&E, CBS, The WB, 20th Century Fox, Disney/Buena Vista, Atlantic Records, and Universal Music.
Previously Peterzell was President of the b2b division of Hollywood.com and Vice President of Entertainment Marketing at 24/7 Media.
Prior to 24/7 Peterzell produced numerous television specials and series including "Biography" and "The New Music Awards" for networks including A&E, MTV, Lifetime, USA and Viacom. Peterzell also managed platinum recording artists The Cure where he produced their 1993 20 city stadium tour and executive produced their feature film "Show". Peterzell also served as the head of marketing and business affairs for numerous record labels including TVT, Fiction/Elektra and Ignition/Tommy Boy.
