"Investing In Media that Matters" Draws Sold Out Crowd

SUNDANCE, UT – (January 16, 2003) – In an effort to stimulate and seed visionary social mission entertainment in American cinema and television, as well as to increase funding and distribution channels, more than 200 entertainment and investment executives assembled in Sundance Village, Utah to strategize ways to transform the industry. The first-time conference, entitled "Investing in Media that Matters," laid the groundwork for a new approach to business in Hollywood and within independent film circles. Together, they will pursue developing positive social- and environmental- themed projects that benefit society at large through mass media.

The conference drew a ground swell of interest and attendees from commercial and independent film as well as television executives, producers, directors, screenwriters, creative artists, angel investors, venture capitalists, and foundations. It was the vision of Spartacus Media Enterprises and was co-hosted with the nation's only national social mission angel network, Investors' Circle, and the Hollywood-respected Environmental Media Association. The three banded together to unify the interests of investors curious about supporting entertainment with socially redeeming messages or themes through non-profit and for-profit financial vehicles. In addition, they provided a creative think-tank approach to film distribution and marketing of informed and entertaining media.

"To investors who have been using risk capital to accelerate the transition to a sustainable economy, the exploration of media as a tool for social change is very exciting," said Woody Tasch, chairman of Investors' Circle. "We hope that some of the lessons we've learned from investing in other sectors that address major social and environmental challenges – community development, education, and renewable energy -- can be effectively leveraged to facilitate the flow of capital to socially responsible media projects."

Among the panelists were the actors and environmentalists Ed Begley, Jr. and Pierce Brosnan; news broadcast journalist Walter Cronkite; screenwriter for John Q, Jim Kearns; President and CEO of PBS, Pat Mitchell; Executive Director/Producer of Erin Brokovich, Carla Shamberg; and former President of Columbia Pictures Marketing and marketing guru for My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Paula Silver.

Coinciding with the opening of the Sundance Film Festival, the collective group recognized that socially responsible entertainment like The Insider or A Civil Action has raised the public's consciousness and awareness of important social issues while effectively presenting significant money-making opportunities that attract wide audiences.

"Erin Brockovich is one of those films that prove you can make an entertaining and financially successful Hollywood movie that is both socially and environmentally relevant," said Carla Shamberg, the film's Executive Producer.

"Investing in Media that Matters" represents a turning point when it comes to producing new alternative scripts in and outside of Hollywood — scripts that take artistic risks with the potential for successful financial, social, and environmental gain. Utilizing their high-ranking platforms, prominent Hollywood executives and independent filmmakers, along with affluent investors and funding organizations, can inspire and weave positive social messages about a range of issues, from energy conservation and respect for diversity to human rights and improved healthcare.

"Investing In Media that Matters: A Gathering at Sundance Village" is made possible through the generous support of Rudolf Steiner Foundation, Viacom, Sundance Channel, Proskauer Rose law firm, Salt Lake City Film Center, FreedomZone, Oneida Nation, Aveda Skin Care, and Dr. Hauschka Skin Care. Additional sponsors include Organic Farms, Odwalla, Natural Health Magazine, and Dragonfly Media, Recycline, WW Norton and Chelsea Green Publishing.

Investors' Circle is a ten-year old national non-profit network of angel and institutional investors, foundation officers, and entrepreneurs who seek to balance financial, social and environmental returns. Investors' Circle has facilitated the investment of $80 million in 130 socially responsible companies and small venture funds. Investors' Circle is dedicated to using the tools of venture capital to promote the transition to a more environmentally responsible and socially just economy.

The Environmental Media Association mobilizes the entertainment industry in a global effort to educate people about environmental issues and inspire them into action. EMA was created in 1989 as a non-profit 501(c)3 corporation with the simple, but powerful concept that through television, music and film, the entire entertainment community could influence the environmental awareness of millions of people. Through celebrities and content, EMA has a profound effect on how the public receives environmental information, and serves as a valuable link between the entertainment industry and the environmental community.

Spartacus Media Enterprises is a social mission media company committed to incubating new projects and ventures, as well as facilitating a link between investors and the media industry. Spartacus Media Enterprises produced "Investing in Media that Matters."

###