CONSULTANTS
DEBRA STASSON
FOUNDER & CEO
BIO
As the founder of MSI, the first business affairs consulting company of its kind, Debbie is well known and respected throughout the entertainment industry. She has held management roles in the business affairs departments of Orion, Tristar and Disney. Debbie obtained her J.D. from the University of Michigan.
EDUCATION
J.D., University of Michigan
LEE BARTLETT
BIO
Lee started his career at MGM as production counsel then went to ABC Primetime business affairs and also oversaw its production arm, Greengrass Productions. He later held various executive positions at Fox including SVP Business and Legal Affairs for the Fox Cable group and was promoted to EVP Business and Legal Affairs at FBC. Lee then was named Managing Director of ITV’s production and distribution group, based in London, eventually moving to Discovery’s UK offices as EVP Global Production Management, Legal and Business Affairs. During his time at Discovery, he was instrumental in the acquisition of Raw Television, Betty TV and finally All3Media, where he became Chairman of the Board and President of Discovery Studios. Lee obtained his J.D. from Case Western Reserve University and his LLM from Georgetown University.
EDUCATION
J.D., Case Western Reserve University
LLM, Georgetown University
MICHAEL VIEBROCK
BIO
Mike is an industry veteran with extensive experience structuring complex co-production, distribution and financing agreements for TV and feature film projects. Prior to joining MSI, he held several executive level positions over the course of a 17-year career at Sony. Mike obtained his J.D. from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law.
EDUCATION
J.D., University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law
RICHARD FRANKIE
BIO
As a senior media executive with emphasis in television, Mr. Frankie brings more than 30 years’ experience in all facets of television production, distribution, and advertiser sales across all types of programs for both traditional and non-traditional distribution platforms to oversee all business aspects including, Finance, HR, Legal, Business Affairs, Operations, Labor Relations. Mr. Frankie’s most recent professional experiences include; Executive Vice President, Head of Business Operations at STX Television; Executive Vice President, Television Business Management, Legendary Television; and Chief Operating Officer, Gaumont Television. Mr. Frankie’s prior experience include over 20 years with Sony Pictures Television, where he served as executive vice president, business operations for the group.
EDUCATION
M.B.A., Pepperdine University
MELANIE MASLAN
BIO
Melanie has 15 years of practice in the entertainment industry. Before joining MSI, Melanie was the SVP of Scripted Business and Legal Affairs at Fremantle. Prior to that, she was the senior counsel of Business and Legal Affairs at Starz Entertainment. She was also the VP of Business and Legal Affairs at GK-TV. Melanie obtained her J.D. from Loyola Law School.
EDUCATION
J.D., Loyola Law School
ASHLEY FARMER
BIO
Ashley obtained her J.D. from UCLA School of Law where she graduated with a specialization in Media, Entertainment, and Technology Law and Policy. Prior to joining MSI, Ashley interned with Lionsgate Entertainment in their Rights Management department.
EDUCATION
J.D., University of Los Angeles
CAMERON JOHANN
BIO
Cameron is a development executive, independent producer and screenwriter. With a B.F.A. in Film from Art Center College of Design, he spent 19 years as SVP of Development at Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions (developing and producing primetime films on ABC and CBS). He has produced almost 40 movies and has worked with some of television’s most preeminent filmmakers.
EDUCATION
B.F.A., Art Center College of Design
MARIKE BARTLETT
BIO
Ms. Bartlett started her career at ABC Studios/ABC Broadcasting Company where she was responsible for negotiating agreements in all areas of network and original programing, including, but not limited to production, overall, format, first-look and talent agreements. Following that she was an attorney at Del, Shaw, Moonves, Tanaka, Finkelstein, Lezcano, Bobb and Dang. There she represented television and motion picture production companies, producers, writers and on-screen talent in connection with a variety of media projects.
EDUCATION
J.D., University of Southern California
PAUL PASTERNAK
BIO
Mr. Pasternak has over a decade of experience in entertainment business and legal affairs. Before joining MSI, he was VP of Business & Legal Affairs at Discovery, Inc., where he structured, negotiated, and drafted development, commission, co-production, talent, access, rights, license, and distribution agreements for projects across Discovery’s networks. Prior to focusing on entertainment, Mr. Pasternak represented large corporate clients in mergers, acquisitions, and capital market transactions while he was an associate at the law firm of Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP.
EDUCATION
J.D., Harvard Law School
CHELSEA HOLMES
BIO
A highly experienced Executive Coordinator, Chelsea started her career at Pilgrim Media Group where she was an assistant to award winning Executive Producers of unscripted programming. She previously had internships with E! Entertainment Television and the syndicated talk show The Doctors.
EDUCATION
B.A., Trinity University