(CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — Marcus Peterzell and Bobby Oppenheim have joined Radiate Entertainment Group's Aaron Walton Entertainment (AWE) as co-presidents. Based in AWE's new offices in New York, the pair succeeds Aaron Walton, who earlier this year was promoted to president of the Radiate Entertainment Group following AWE's alignment with The Radiate Group last December. Radiate is a unit of Omnicom's Diversified Agency Services (DAS) group.
Peterzell and Oppenheim both have backgrounds in the entertainment sector. Peterzell's credits include executive stints at Hollywood Media Corp, 24/7 Media, several record labels and in the early 1990s he served as U.S manager for The Cure. Oppenheim worked in finance and business development at Sony Music and AOL. Most recently, Peterzell and Oppenheim worked together at MusicVision as SVP sales and marketing and SVP business development, respectively.
Several new clients, in mobile communications, television, spirits and consumer products have recently tapped AWE by engaging the firm for various entertainment marketing projects. The new AWE clients include A&E Network, Nokia, Faith West, Cruzan Rum and Whirlpool.
One of the key divisions Peterzell and Oppenheim are building at AWE is the mobile services division which encompasses both mobile marketing through SMS technology and other media wireless content platforms, and the acquisition and development of mobile content including ringtones and exclusive artist content. Both Nokia and leading mobile content provider Faith West have already joined AWE as clients. "Our intent is to build on AWE's well-developed core expertise in music and entertainment by adding our expertise in digital music content rights and wireless marketing platforms," Peterzell notes.
In the television arena, AWE has brought on new client A&E Network, where AWE has negotiated licensing agreements with the major record labels for A&E's monthly on-air image spots with artists that include Nelly Furtado, Jason Mraz and Liz Phair. AWE also arranged for Lil' Kim to record a cover of Nancy Sinatra's "These Boots Are Made for Walking" as the theme to the new A&E series "Growing Up Gotti."
"AWE brings an invaluable service to A&E Network," says Valerie Albanese, director, On-Air, A&E Network. "In an ongoing effort to reach a younger audience, the incredible music selection negotiated and provided by AWE has enabled us to attain the exact look, feel and sound we are going after in our monthly spots. We've taken this relationship to a new level with the Lil' Kim recording for 'Growing Up Gotti.' We expect this rendition of the Nancy Sinatra song to be an incredible win-win for the network, and we couldn't be more pleased."
Peterzell and Oppenheim's goal is to attract new corporate clients looking to tap into AWE's core competency of advising clients on their overall entertainment marketing initiatives. For the second straight year, AWE has been retained by Chivas Regal to negotiate and execute a tour sponsorship with Latin Rock band La Ley. The tour will travel to 25 markets in the U.S. and Puerto Rico and marks the 15th anniversary of the band.
"Pernod Ricard USA and especially Chivas Regal has been extremely pleased with the two year association with Aaron Walton Entertainment and their contributions to the success of Chivas Regal's major US National Hispanic program — The Chivas Regal La Ley Tour. It is a pleasure to work with the AWE staff," said Saul Sola, Chivas Regal national brand manager for the US.
Other new AWE projects include Kenny Chesney's "Guitars, Tiki Bars, and a Whole Lot of Lover Tour" sponsored by client Cruzan Rum, and Reba McEntire's concert tour sponsored by client Whirlpool Corporation to benefit Habitat for Humanity. -Jane Cohen and Bob Grossweiner
