MANNY PATEL
Los Angeles, CA *****
+1-310-***-**** *****@**********.***
Experience:
*/** – Pres. VCR Content / VCR Productions, LLC Los Angeles, CA Founder and CEO
• Manage a diversity, equality, and inclusion film and television production and events company with eight film and television projects in development.
• Establish connections in Los Angeles and across the US for clients in the entertainment industry and other sectors.
• Utilize resources from an extensive Rolodex of contacts including talent, executives, and studios.
• Created promotional videos for television shows including Star Trek, Star Wars, Glee, Ugly Betty, and others. These videos showcased key moments, characters, and themes to engage audiences and increase viewership. They included highlights of upcoming episodes, helping to boost ratings and generate buzz around each show.
• Organize events for various communities, such as LGBTQIA+, South Asians, and women in entertainment.
• Notable event 2023: Coordinated Rebel Wilson's “Fluid” dating app launch during LA Pride at Funke and The Abbey. Key performance indicators (KPIs) from the launch included over 10K app downloads in the first week, 5K Instagram followers, and coverage by national and international press outlets like
“The Daily Mail”, “Deadline” and “TMZ,” which were further reposted by other media outlets. Also created limited edition merchandise for these events and tracked sales and app downloads to ensure successful execution in future events. Ensured the safety of staff and talent while managing public interactions.
• Notable event 2024: Arranged celebrity guest speakers such as George Takei, Bruce Vilanch, Eugene Roddenberry Jr., and others for “Spectrum,” the LGBTQIA+ group at NASA JPL. 1/22 – Pres. Glamazon Los Angeles at Amazon Studios Los Angeles, CA Event Organizer / Partnership Creator / DJ
• Arrange LA Pride events for LGBTQIA+ employees at Amazon Studios to benefit local charities, including corporate mixers, live shows, and charity fundraisers.
• Produce the annual "Holiday Toy Drive" with multiple studios (Disney, Sony, Paramount, NBCUniversal, Warner Bros Discovery, TikTok, Meta, Lionsgate, Hulu, IMDB, Freevee, Prime Video) benefiting "Toys for Tots."
• Ensure all events are inclusive and accurately represent diverse talent and patrons.
• Plan a live pickleball event at LA Pride 2024 outside Pantages Theater in Hollywood, featuring celebrity matches and spectators. This required a month of planning with Christopher Street West and Los Angeles County for permits, insurance, and compliance with safety protocols. 3/15 – 6/24 British Consulate General - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA LGBTQ+ Freelance Consultant
• Collaborated closely with the Deputy British Consul General on the annual LA Pride floats, coordinating over 200 volunteers, artists, and celebrities from 2015 to 2019.
• Worked in conjunction with the City of West Hollywood and Los Angeles County to secure and file appropriate venue permits for each event.
• Developed the theme and branding for the LA Pride float, winning “Best Float” two consecutive years and marking the first participation of a foreign government in the festivities.
• Ensured scalability of these events, enhancing them each year in terms of visibility and return on investment (ROI).
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• Maintained safety guidelines for all volunteers and celebrities, safeguarding both their protection and the consulate's reputation and social responsibility.
• Secured sponsorships from major brands such as Red Bull, Air New Zealand, and Fox Searchlight, generating millions of social media impressions.
• Partnered with the Head of Politics to feature the Royal Army Band at The Abbey West Hollywood, promoting “Love is GREAT Britain” during the 2017 LA Pride weekend.
• Organized the “Five Films for Freedom” event, an LGBTQ British Film Council initiative, personally booking actor Stephen Fry and LGBTQ+ directors as panelists.
• Procured celebrities for various British Consulate gatherings, including their esteemed Oscars Party.
• Facilitated a partnership with Glamazon (Amazon Studio’s LGBTQ+ employee group) for Pride events in California.
5/21 – 12/22 Hello Good, LLC Los Angeles, CA
Chief Partnerships Officer
• Advised non-profits like Heifer International, Latina Film Institute, and Clemente Foundation to boost their visibility.
• Formed partnerships with C and SVP level executives at TATA Group, TikTok, Amazon Studios, and others for CSR initiatives.
• Secured A-list celebrities for social media campaigns for these non-profits. 6/18 – 4/21 Ryff, Inc. Los Angeles, CA
Vice President of Marketing & Promotions / Head of Events
• Successfully organized a launch event for 400 industry professionals at a Beverly Hills estate, achieving this below budget and within a strict deadline.
• Developed the company's current corporate identity, including a new logo, style guide, presentation decks, sizzle reels, demos, social media assets, stationery, and website.
• Secured two venture capital investors for Ryff’s Series A round, specifically Vulcan Capital and MAC Ventures, each investing $1 million.
• Personally secured 40% of seed round investments ($350,000) from my own network of contacts.
• Facilitated the connection between the company and their Series A investor VC, resulting in $16 million in funding.
• Delivered presentations at various US events to showcase Ryff’s virtual product placement technology, attracting new clients and promotional partners.
• Coordinated company gatherings involving staff from both the US and the UK.
• Secured several brands and content owners as long-term clients.
• Organized the Ryff LGBTQ+ outreach program event for LA Pride 2019 in collaboration with BAFTA LA and The British Consulate General Los Angeles at the h Club Los Angeles, attended by 1,300 prominent community members.
• Produced and sold merchandise for numerous trade shows, including clothing and consumer products. 7/16 – 11/19 BAFTA Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA
LGBTQ+ Freelance Consultant & Special Events DJ
• Networked with the CEO at LGBTQ+ events to raise BAFTA's profile.
• Secured and facilitated meetings with high-profile LGBTQ donors, including the David Geffen Foundation, to fund children's art programs.
• DJed at the 2016-2019 Britannia Awards (US BAFTAs). 3
7/17 – 6/19 The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Los Angeles, CA Theater Staff / Talent Liaison
• Managed A-List talent at The Academy screenings and events.
• Coordinated between production crew and talent representatives for stage announcements and press interviews.
• Assistant stage-managed live events like “The Sherman Brothers,” “Grease,” and “Hairspray” anniversary shows.
• Maintained professional relationships with Academy members, assisting with check-ins and enquiries during events.
• Collaborated with over 30 colleagues, following communication, health and safety guidelines, and HR policies.
Education: UNIVERSITY OF BEDFORDSHIRE Bedfordshire, UK Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Media Production
• Graduated with a focus on performance and digital editing in film, photo, and sound. Also completed a minor in television hosting and presenting.
Skills:
• Proficient in Adobe Photoshop, Premiere Pro, Illustrator, PowerPoint, and Microsoft Office. Experienced with social media platforms including YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. Other Experience:
• Since 1994, served as a DJ for Heaven Nightclub London, Spectrum at NASA JPL, Sony Pictures, The Golden Globes, Roland Emmerich, Tom Cruise, Adrian Maloof, Lisa Vanderpump, TigerHeat/Heaven Lounge LA, The Abbey, The Trevor Project, APLA, Soho House, The h Club, “Out on the Mountain” at Six Flags, The Britely & Pendry LA, The GRAMMY afterparties, The Ovation Awards, numerous celebrity parties, and charity galas.
• Collaborated with merchandise with Viacom Consumer Productions, QVC, Star Trek and Star Wars memorabilia.