Michael Watt (philanthropist)
Michael Heseltine Watt ONZM (born 16 December 1940) is a New Zealand entrepreneur, philanthropist, and investor.[1] He is one of five New Zealanders who featured in the Sunday Times Rich List 2009.[2] He was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to the community in the 2005 New Year Honours.[3]
Sports
Michael started CSI in 1977 and over the next three decades built the company into one of the largest sports management and marketing companies in the world. His work and that of CSI's is largely credited with helping shape the modern international sports broadcasting industry. CSI was sold to the Interpublic Group in 2000.
Music
In 2009 Michael helped finance music mogul Korda Marshall in relaunching Infectious Music record label (formerly known as Infectious Records). The label's most notable signing was alt-J, who won the 2012 British Barclaycard Mercury Prize for their debut album An Awesome Wave, which reached Platinum certification in the UK. Their other signings include General Fiasco, Local Natives, Cloud Control, Drenge, Superfood, RY X, The Acid, These New Puritans, and Vance Joy. Infectious Music was acquired by BMG Rights Management in September 2014, and Michael no longer has any involvement with the label.
Michael is also one of the two owners of the legendary Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club in Soho, London, the other being Sally Greene OBE.[4]
Theatre
Michael has had an extensive history in the theatre industry, and is the only New Zealander ever to receive a Tony Award.[5] His theatre production credits include, but are not limited to:
- Jersey Boys[6]
- We Will Rock You[7]
- The Bodyguard[8]
- Matilda the Musical[9]
- Of Mice and Men[5]
- The Boy from Oz[6]
- Gypsy[5][10]
- Driving Miss Daisy[11]
- 9 to 5[5]
- Fosse[12]
- The Sound of Music[9]
- La Cage aux Folles[9]
- Chicago[13]
- Riverdance[5]
- Annie Get Your Gun[5]
References
- ^ Bills, Peter (25 April 2012). "Peter Bills: Soaring success built on humble beginnings". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 4 February 2016.
- ^ Hall, Mitchell (29 April 2009). "New Zealanders fall up the UK rich list". National Business Review. Retrieved 4 February 2016.
- ^ "New Year Honours List 2005". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 31 December 2004. Retrieved 4 February 2016.
- ^ "Meet The Team - About Ronnie Scott's - Ronnie Scott's". ronniescotts.co.uk. Retrieved 26 May 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f League, The Broadway. "Michael Watt | IBDB: The official source for Broadway Information". www.ibdb.com. Retrieved 26 May 2016.
- ^ a b "MICHAEL WATT - Jersey Boys on Tour". Jersey Boys on Tour. Retrieved 26 May 2016.
- ^ "PRESS RELEASE". brianmay.com. Retrieved 26 May 2016.
- ^ Benedict, David (10 December 2012). "Review: 'The Bodyguard'". Variety. Retrieved 26 May 2016.
- ^ a b c "Matilda to open in Melbourne | Matilda The Musical London". Matilda The Musical London. 12 October 2015. Retrieved 26 May 2016.
- ^ www.dewynters.com, Dewynters Ltd |. "Gypsy The Musical". Gypsy The Musical. Retrieved 26 May 2016.
- ^ "Driving Miss Daisy review at Wyndhams Theatre | Review | Theatre | The Stage". The Stage. Retrieved 26 May 2016.
- ^ "The British Theatre Guide: Fosse the Musical - a review". www.britishtheatreguide.info. Retrieved 26 May 2016.
- ^ "Chicago 2016 Tour Tickets". British Theatre. 17 November 2015. Retrieved 26 May 2016.