Michael D. Eisner
Founder, The Tornante Company
For four decades, Michael Eisner has been a leader in the American entertainment industry. He began his career at ABC, where he helped take the network from number three to number one in primetime, daytime and children’s television with such landmark shows as Happy Days, Barney Miller, Rich Man, Poor Man, and Roots. In 1976, he became president of Paramount Pictures, turning out hit films such as Raiders of the Lost Ark, Saturday Night Fever, Grease, and Terms of Endearment.This string of critically acclaimed and blockbuster films led the studio to become number one in box office and profitability in both theatrical movies and network television production.
In 1984 Michael assumed the position of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company and, in the ensuing 21 years, transformed it from a film and theme park company with $1.8 billion in enterprise value into a global media empire valued at $80 billion.
In 2005, Michael began the “next act” of his career, by founding the Tornante Company; a privately held company that makes investments in and incubates companies and opportunities in the media and entertainment space. Through the Tornante Company, he created Vuguru, a new media studio that produces world class content for the internet and emerging digital platforms. Vuguru’s first production, “Prom Queen,” quickly became an internet sensation and was later nominated for a Broadband Emmy. The series was such a huge success it spawned a fifteen episode spin-off series “Prom Queen: Summer Heat” which combined, garnered over 20 million views over the course of its initial run.
The Tornante Company holds an ownership stake in Veoh Networks, Inc., an innovative, new independent Internet television broadcasting system and wholly owns Team Baby Entertainment, the premier producer of an award-winning series of officially licensed sports themed children’s DVD’s.
In October 2007, The Tornante Company and Madison Dearborn Partners, LLC. acquired The Topps Company, Inc. Topps has been a leading creator and marketer of distinctive confectionery items and sports and entertainment cards for well over 50 years. Under Michael’s vision and leadership, he plans to transform Topps, through filmed entertainment, Internet and television, into a full-fledged sports media company. The latest web-series from Michael’s online production studio Vuguru is a Topps co-production titled Back on Topps, set to launch in the fall of 2008. Michael also intends to help make Topps the world’s most innovative kids confection company. Among other projects, Michael and Topps are presently developing a film featuring the iconic eye-patch wearing comic hero Bazooka Joe.
In March 2008, Vuguru launched its second original web series “The All-For-Nots,” a comedy that follows a documentary crew filming a fictional indie rock band as they travel the U.S. on an under-funded and poorly planned tour. In addition, Vuguru announced a ground-breaking partnership with world-renowned author Robin Cook. A 50-episode on-line prequel series accounting for the days leading up to the launch of his new novel, “Foreign Body” debuted in May 2008.
In July 2008, Nickelodeon’s Nick at Nite purchased Glenn Martin DDS, Michael’s first television series he developed through his newly formed division of The Tornante Company – Tornante Animation. The program is expected to debut next summer.