Kevin Wall

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Kevin Wall

Kevin Wall, 2008.
Born March 15, 1952 (1952-03-15) (age 59)
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Occupation Executive producer, producer
Spouse Susan Smalley Wall, Ph.D.
Children Patrick
Timothy
Kelly

Kevin Wall, born March 15, 1952 in Fort Wayne, Indiana, is a producer, digital entrepreneur and environmentalist who creates and produces global events often viewed by a billion or more people. Recent events include the opening concert for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa[1], Live Earth: the Concerts for a Climate in Crisis[2] and Live 8.

In his career, Wall has produced and/or distributed over 300 live concerts, many of them tied to activist causes (benefit concerts), including the concerts to free Nelson Mandela,[3] Roger Waters at the Berlin Wall, The Prince's Trust Concerts, Live AID, Live Earth, and Live 8, for which he was worldwide executive producer and won the first Emmy ever awarded for an 'interactive event.'[4]

Wall's music career also includes Bob Dylan's "30th Anniversary Concert Celebration" featuring Eric Clapton and George Harrison at Madison Square Garden, Michael Jackson’s "The Dangerous Tour" live in Bucharest,[5] "Amnesty International: Human Rights Now",[6] "3 Tenors Live in Concert",[7] and specials for Prince, Eric Clapton and Elton John.[8]

Contents

[edit] Early career

Wall grew up in a family of fourteen (the twelve Wall children all had names beginning with the letter "K") who worked and lived in a roller-skating rink called the Roller Dome.[9] He gained his earliest experiences programming music as the Roller Dome disk jockey. Wall says it was this experience that gave him insight into "the power of music to move people." He and his father and brothers laid all the wood flooring in the Roller Dome's 20,000-square-foot (1,900 m2) rink. Wall's expertise with wood flooring introduced him to a job with an Ann Arbor, Michigan company that built portable music stages. Wall then began promoting and staging concerts at colleges throughout the Midwest United States.

Wall established the first portable staging company to accommodate the staging, lighting and outdoor production needs of large stadium and arena concert tours by The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin and The Who, among other artists.[10]

Newly-formed ties to the music business led him to Los Angeles, where, in 1984, he founded Radiovision, a production and distribution company of live music. In 1994, Wall established BoxTop, a web-design company, which three years later, he merged with iXL, an Atlanta-based media and internet consulting company.[3]

As vice chairman of iXL, Wall led the strategic acquisition and organization of 42 Internet design and consulting companies to build a venture with 3,000 employees, 38 offices and annual revenues of over $400 million.[11]

[edit] Live 8

Wall's experience spans more than three decades in developing and producing live, multi-artist music shows, including Live 8, staged on July 2, 2005. Live 8 was a string of benefit concerts that took place on 2 July 2005, in the G8 states and in South Africa.[12]

They were timed to precede the G8 Conference and summit held at the Gleneagles Hotel in Auchterarder, Scotland from July 6–8, 2005; they also coincided with the 20th anniversary of Live Aid.[13] More than 1,000 musicians performed at the concerts, which were broadcast on 182 television networks and 2,000 radio networks.[14]

This concert endeavor earned Wall an Emmy Award and was viewed online and on television by an estimated two billion viewers worldwide to pressure Western governments to take action on African aid and debt relief.[15]

Live 8 was the inaugural production of Wall's newly-formed multimedia production company Network LIVE, which, in 2006, became Control Room, a multi-platform producer and distributor of live entertainment events, and the production company behind Live Earth.[16]

[edit] Live Earth

In 2007, Wall founded Live Earth, inspired by the former U.S. Vice President, Al Gore, and his Oscar-winning documentary An Inconvenient Truth.[17]

[edit] Live Earth 07.07.07

Main article: Live Earth (2007 concert)

The July 7, 2007 Live Earth concerts were held on seven continents, over the course of 24 hours, featuring over 150 headlining artists including Madonna, Metallica, Smashing Pumpkins, Alicia Keys, Lenny Kravitz, The Black Eyed Peas, and The Police participated in the event.[18] Through this massive media architecture, reached nearly two billion people on the planet with a message for change.[19]

Live Earth has developed from one-time event into an advocacy organization dedicated to the creation of entertainment events and media content aimed at raising awareness for the challenges and solutions associated with climate change. Live Earth works with corporate, non-governmental, entertainment and political influencers and organizations around the world.

[edit] Live Earth India

The second Live Earth concert was scheduled for December 7, 2008 at the Andheri Sports Complex on Veera Desai Road in Andheri West, Mumbai, India and was managed by Kevin Wall. Per the request of Al Gore, Wall planned to have the entire event take place in India.[20][21] In September, 2008 Reuters stated that, "the December event will see U.S. rocker Jon Bon Jovi and Bollywood's biggest superstar, Amitabh Bachchan share the stage, and is described by organisers as one of the biggest events held in India." [20] Shekhar Kapur, Nobel laureate Rajendra Pachauri, Abhishek Bachchan, and Aishwarya Rai also planned to star in the event.[21] Additional acts included Hrithik Roshan, Preity Zinta,[22] Roger Waters of Pink Floyd, Will.I.Am, Hard Kaur, and Anoushka Shankar.[22] Palash Sen and his band, Euphoria, were scheduled to launch a song written for the concert on the topic of global warming.[23]

Live Earth India would have been broadcast by STAR TV (Asia), which works in conjunction with the STAR Plus channel (United Kingdom, Middle East) and the Star World Channel. MSN was "the exclusive global broadband partner for Live Earth India."[24]

The concert was cancelled shortly after the November 2008 Mumbai attacks on 26 November 2008. Wall, Gore, and Pachauri stated in a joint press release that, "due to circumstances far beyond our control, we are saddened to announce that Live Earth India has been cancelled. We will continue to work for solutions to the climate crisis for the good of the people of India and around the world. But for now, our thoughts and our prayers are with the victims of this terrible attack, with the bereaved, with the people of Mumbai and with everyone in India." [25][26]

Some argued against the cancellation stating that "music could have helped fear-hardened Mumbai to ride the storm." [27] Jethro Tull and Anoushka Shankar, who also cancelled their 29 November Mumbai concert [28] after the November 2008 Mumbai attacks, reorganized the performance as A Billion Hands Concert, a benefit performance for victims of the attacks, and held it in Mumbai on 5 December 2008.[29]

[edit] Green Inaugural Ball

In 2009, Kevin Wall was selected by former U.S. Vice President, Al Gore, to serve as executive producer keynote speaker of the Inaugural Green Ball and was Co-hosted by Van Jones. The Green Ball brought together more than 75 NGO organizations and sponsors to celebrate the Inaugural of Barack Obama and the new green economy. These organizations/ sponsors included The Amereican Wind Energy Association (AWEA), Google, Organic Soul by vegan chef Elijah Joy (EJOY), and Virgin Green Fund celebrating the new green economy. There were performances from John Legend, Melissa Etheridge, Maroon 5, will.i.am., and Michael Franti.[30]

[edit] Dow Live Earth Run for Water

The Dow Live Earth Run for Water – which took place April 18, 2010 – consisted of a series of 6 km run/walks (the average distance many women and children walk every day to secure water) taking place over the course of 24 hours in countries around the world, featuring concerts and water education activities aimed at igniting a tipping point to help solve the water crisis. Jessica Biel, Alexandra Cousteau, Pete Wentz, Angelique Kidjo and Jenny Fletcher lended their names and their time in support of this important cause.[31]

[edit] Host Cities

The Dow Live Earth Run for Water was hosted by cities around the world, including: Buenos Aires, Cape Town, Chicago, Hong Kong, Jimbaran, Los Angeles, Melbourne, Mexico City, Minneapolis, New York, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Singapore City, and Washington, D.C.[32]

[edit] Beneficiaries

All donations raised by the Dow Live Earth Run for Water will be disseminated to fund sustainable and scalable water programs. A growing global network of NGO partners including Global Water Challenge, A Child's Right, Akvo, Fondo Para La Paz, Indonesia Water Partnership, Lien Ad, Pump Aid, Wildlands Conservation Trust, and many others.[33]

[edit] Control Room

Wall is founder and CEO of Control Room, a company known for conception and creation of large-scale global music events, including Live Earth 2007,[34] Live Earth India, and Nokia New Year’s Event.[35][36]

Control Room served as executive producer on Live Earth 2007, Live Earth India, and Nokia New Year’s Eve, responsible for talent procurement, event production, and global media architecture across television, broadband and wireless.[37]

Control Room has also produced and distributed single-artist events across Internet, radio, television, and mobile phones, platforms.[38] including more than 100 shows since 2005, featuring international artists such as Madonna,[39] Jay-Z,[40] and Rihanna[41] across a variety of networks and platforms around the world.[42]

[edit] FIFA World Cup Kick-Off Celebration Concert

Kevin Wall and his company Control Room were selected as executive producer of the Official Kick-Off Celebration Concert of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa. The three-hour show took place on the eve of the 2010 FIFA World Cup on 10 June 2010 at 8:00 p.m. (GMT +2), at Orlando Stadium in Soweto, Johannesburg and featured collaborations between international stars and top African artists and appearances by football legends. The concert raised money for the world cup's official charity 20 Centres for 2010.[43]

Artists who performed at the event include: Alicia Keys, Amadou & Mariam, Angelique Kidjo, The Black Eyed Peas, BLK JKS, Freshlyground, John Legend, Juanes, K'Naan Lira, Hugh Masekela, Shakira, The Parlotones, Tinariwen, Vieux Farka Touré, and Vusi Mahlasela.[44] The event also included a tribute to Nelson Mandela by the Archbishop Desmond Tutu.[45]

The concert, broadcast live in South Africa on SABC 1 and SuperSport 3, was the most watched entertainment event in recent history, drawing 8.5 million viewers in South Africa.[46] It was carried live in the U.S. on ESPN2,[47] ESPN Mobile TV,[48] and streaming online at VEVO.[49] ABC broadcast a 2-hour special the following night.[50]

[edit] Additional Business Ventures

[edit] Sustainable Holdings

Kevin Wall is a founder of Sustainable Holdings a company which has Joined forces with Dimensional Fund Advisors to launch a new fund which weights its holdings based on companies' sustainability scores. Sustainable Holdings has developed a proprietary algorithm to quantify environmental sustainability practices of public companies.[51]

[edit] Shelter Capital Partners

A co-founder of Shelter Capital Partners, a $175 million venture capital fund, Wall is currently invested in a dozen companies in the semiconductor, software and convergence sectors.[52]

[edit] Craton Equity Partners

Wall is a general partner of Craton Equity Partners, a $200 million green-tech private equity fund.[53]

[edit] Awards and Boards

Wall is the proud recipient of a variety of entertainment and philanthropy awards, including: MIDEM Green Award[54] Billboard Touring Conference Humanitarian Award[55] Ad Age Marketer of the Year[56] GQ Environmental Pillar Award[57] Environmental Media Association Outstanding Achievement Award[58] and the Ellis Island Medal of Honor.[59]

Kevin Wall is a member of the board of directors for the Alliance for Climate Protection,[60] Global Water Challenge,[61] and Craton, where he is also a managing partner.[62] He was an early advisor to Facebook and currently on the advisory boards of txteagle, KeVita, Recyclebank and m-via. He sits on the board of Greenwave Reality, and the UCLA Hammer Museum.[63] Wall is also a member of the Producers Guild of America.

[edit] Personal

Wall is married to Susan Smalley, PhD., a professor at UCLA in the Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, who has done pioneering work in the genetics of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD).[64] She founded the Mindful Awareness Research Center (MARC) at UCLA’s Semel Institute for Neuroscience.[65] They have three children.

[edit] References

  1. ^ [1]
  2. ^ "Live Earth hopes action follows global concerts More than 150 artists to perform at events around the world" The Associated Press, July 2, 2007
  3. ^ a b "Wall Flowers - Kevin Wall of iXL Worldwide" Brandweek, July 20, 1998
  4. ^ "NOMINEES FOR THE FIRST EMMY AWARD FOR INTERNET, CELLPHONES AND IPODS ANNOUNCED" emmyonline.org, April 10, 2006
  5. ^ "Live in Bucharest: The Dangerous Tour (DVD)"
  6. ^ "India to host 2008 Live Earth event to raise awareness for climate in crisis," IndiaPRWire, September 22, 2008
  7. ^ "RnetHealth.com, Inc. Appoints iXL Enterprises ViceChairman Kevin Wall As Chairman of Board of..." BusinessWire, August 3, 1999
  8. ^ "India to host 2008 Live Earth event to raise awareness for climate in crisis," India News Today, November 9, 2008.
  9. ^ [2]
  10. ^ "Kevin Wall taps Al Gore and other rock stars to fight global warming," Devin Leonard, Fortune, July 6, 2007
  11. ^ "IXL Acquires Denver-Based CCG Online; EnterpriseBecomes Undisputed Leader for Web Design in..." BusinessWire, April 1, 1998
  12. ^ "Millions gather for Live 8 McCartney and U2 open London concert" CNN, July 3, 2005
  13. ^ "Sounding Circle: G8 Nations Summit Fails to Deal with Climate Change," Raymond Powers, July 13, 2005
  14. ^ "Live 8," One.org
  15. ^ "Live 8 Global Music Concerts: Who Was Inspired to Perform to the Beat of Fighting Poverty in Africa?" The Rugged Elegance Inspiration Network, July 5, 2005
  16. ^ Gupta, Shankar. "MSN To Stream Live Concerts," MediaPost Publications, Sept 28, 2006
  17. ^ http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20012015,00.html Lee, Ken. "Al Gore, Cameron Diaz Announce Environmental Campaign," People, Feb 17, 2007.
  18. ^ http://www.bbc.co.uk/liveearth/artists/
  19. ^ http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/entertainment/view/286598/1/.html "Live Earth concerts aim to rally action against global warming," ChannelNewsAsia.com, July 6, 2007
  20. ^ a b Jamkhandikar, Shilpa (September 20, 2008). "Live Earth show to help light homes with solar energy". AP. http://in.reuters.com/article/entertainmentNews/idINIndia-35574720080920?sp=true. Retrieved 2008-09-21. 
  21. ^ a b "Next Live Earth concert in Mumbai". Times of India. September 20, 2008. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Developmental_Issues/Next_Live_Earth_concert_in_Mumbai/articleshow/3504723.cms. Retrieved 2008-09-21. 
  22. ^ a b Bollywood royalty lines up for Live Earth India concert, Agence France-Presse
  23. ^ Who wants to carol in a slowdown
  24. ^ Bhushan, Nyay (September 19, 2008). "Live Earth will have an encore in India". Hollywood Reporter. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/world/news/e3if071151a9941bb2d0cd923bdde5d1684?imw=Y. Retrieved 2008-09-21. [dead link]
  25. ^ Joint Official Statement from Live Earth Founder Kevin Wall, The Office of the Honorable Al Gore and Dr. R.K. Pachauri, Chairman IPCC regarding Live Earth India
  26. ^ Live Earth terror struck
  27. ^ Live Earth India concert cancelled, music lovers disappointed
  28. ^ The flute of his labours
  29. ^ A Billion Hands - Join The Fight Against Terror and For A Better Tomorrow
  30. ^ Billboard, January 15, 2009
  31. ^ http://www.wateronline.com/article.mvc/Dow-Launches-The-Dow-Live-Earth-Run-For-Water-0001 "Dow Launches The Dow Live Earth Run For Water – The Largest Global Water Initiative In History To Help Solve The World Water Crisis," WaterOnline.com, October 14, 2009, accessed October 19, 2009
  32. ^ Live Earth - Run, accessed October 19, 2009
  33. ^ The Run for Water - Partners, accessed October 19, 2009
  34. ^ Daily Variety, July 5, 2007
  35. ^ "Nokia New Year's Eve 2006," imdb.com, accessed 2009-07-27
  36. ^ "Macy's Passport Celebrity Catwalk Challenge"
  37. ^ "Control Room," imdb.com, accessed 2009-07-27
  38. ^ "MSN and Control Room Team to Bring Music’s Biggest Performances to Fans Worldwide," Microsoft PressPass, September 26, 2006
  39. ^ [Wall Street Journal, April 28, 2008]
  40. ^ [MediaWeek, November 15, 2007]
  41. ^ [Journal de Montreal, September 29, 2007]
  42. ^ "Rihanna - The Most Streamlined MSN Artist," Huliq News, accessed 2009-07-27
  43. ^ "Major concert to launch World Cup," http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8292894.stm, 2009-10-07, accessed 2010-10-07
  44. ^ 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa, accessed 2010-03-19
  45. ^ Alicia Keys, Shakira, Peas take part in 2010 World Cup concert, USAToday, 2010-07-11, accessed 2010-07-13
  46. ^ World Cup Concert Draws Large Audience in South Africa, Reuters, 2010-07-11, accessed 2010-07-13
  47. ^ ESPN2’s 24-Hour Countdown to Kickoff for 2010 FIFA World Cup June 10–11, ESPN2, accessed, 2010-07-13
  48. ^ Live FIFA World Cup on ESPN Mobile TV with HTC EVO 4G and Other Sprint Phones, accessed 2010-07-13
  49. ^ 2010 FIFA World Cup Kick-off Concert, Vevo.com, accessed 2010-07-13
  50. ^ 2010 FIFA World Cup Kick-Off Celebration Concert, ABC.com, accessed 2010-07-13
  51. ^ "Update: Wall, Not Gore, in Talks with 'Plenty'," Portfolio.com, September 23, 2008
  52. ^ "Art Bilger And Kevin Wall Launch Shelter Ventures, A Three Hundred Million Dollar VC Fund And Digital Business Incubator," Market Wire, February 28, 2005
  53. ^ "Craton Equity Partners Homepage"
  54. ^ "INTRODUCING THE GREEN DEBATE WITHIN REED MIDEM," accessed 2009-07-27
  55. ^ "Police, Timberlake Among Billboard Touring Award Finalists," Billboard.com, October 31, 2007
  56. ^ "Entertainment Marketers 2008," AdAge.com, accessed 2009-07-27
  57. ^ "Live Earth’s Kevin Wall Honored by GQ," Light Bulbs, October 21, 2008
  58. ^ "2007 Environmental Media Association Awards," oneindia, October 26, 2007
  59. ^ http://www.pontelandolfonews.com/index.php?id=1026
  60. ^ http://www.climateprotect.org/about/board
  61. ^ http://www.globalwaterchallenge.org/about-us/board.php?id=12
  62. ^ Craton Equity Partners - Team
  63. ^ http://hammer.ucla.edu/about/museum_board_and_staff.html
  64. ^ http://www.adhd.ucla.edu//index.php?option=content&task=view&id=28&Itemid=48
  65. ^ http://marc.ucla.edu/body.cfm?id=19

[edit] External links

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