Norman Jacobs: Chairman
A savvy entrepreneur and publishing maverick, Norman Jacobs has enjoyed a distinguished career spanning more than 45 years in publishing and media industries. After attending Pratt Institute of Technology, Norm worked his way up the corporate ladder in the magazine business, holding several key Art Editor and Director positions at Ideal Publishing, Dauntless Books and Hospital Medicine magazine.
In 1976, Norm’s Starlog Group pioneered the growth of niche publications with the launch of Starlog, the first-ever major color magazine devoted to science fiction. Norm followed this success with the “horror bible” Fangoria in 1979. Norm’s company produced more than 400 officially licensed publications, which included such popular long-running series as Star Wars, Star Trek, James Bond, Superman, Mr. Magoo, Rambo and Rocky. The company distributed over 200 releases each year to newsstands and bookstores worldwide. It was during this period that Norm began his fascination with 3D technology by creating the first Lenticular cover for the popular one-shot magazine Dinosaur, a tie-in to Steven Spielberg’s Jurassic Park in 1993.
In 2005, Norm sold Starlog Group to Creative Group. He continues to serve as the Publisher of Starlog Group where he oversees both Starlog and Fangoria, as well as the magazines’ expanding websites and e-commerce ventures. Norman Jacobs lives in Paramus, New Jersey with Eileen, his wife of 45 years.
Tom Zerega: Co-Founder/ Chief Executive Officer
As the CEO of the Company, Mr Zerega's responsibilities first and foremost are to provide leadership and direction to the executive team ensuring a unified approach toward growing the business. In addition, Tom serves as a technically proficient sales executive, providing the Company entree to several of its signature clients. He has been an investor since the Company's inception and frequently assisting in the development the Company's brand and identity. Mr Zerega took interest in the emerging field of digital media and entertainment following a 15+ year multifaceted production career.
Mr. Zerega has had a rewarding career working with some of Hollywood's finest dating back to 1986. He was formerly employed on separate occasions by 3 of the major broadcasting networks; CBS, NBC and ABC/Disney for a total of 12 Years. As an actor, Tom appeared in popular daytime and prime time television shows, Oscar award winning motion pictures and Tony award winning Broadway productions.
In 1997 Mr Zerega's entrepreneurial spirit got the best of him and he started Final Frontier Productions which he later ran with Magnetic's James Zahakos. For five years, Final Frontier would host special events and concerts at well known venues around NYC catering to as many as 2000 people per night. Following Final Frontier, Mr. Zerega became the Head Production Manager and Event Director for Pro Show Productions in New York. He was in charge of events such as the Elton John AIDS Awareness Benefit, Film Critic's Circle Awards and Howard Stern's 50th Birthday Bash. Tom is a long time member of Actor’s Equity Association (AEA), the Screen Actor’s Guild (SAG) and AFTRA, who received a Bachelor of the Arts in Film and Television Production from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts.
James Zahakos: Co-Founder / President & COO
As the President & COO, Mr. Zahakos is responsible for full strategic planning and P&L responsibility while maintaining decision making-authority within the areas of sales & marketing, finance, human resources, day to day accounting, shipping and contact with all creditors and legal institutions. In addition, James oversees Company operations to insure production efficiency, quality, service and cost-effective management of resources. Mr. Zahakos was the former head of the Staten Island branch of Paragon Mortgage Bankers where he was instrumental in the development and implementation of all strategic sales, financial accounting and operational initiatives. Mr. Zahakos graduated Magna Cum Laude and earned his Bachelor’s of Science degree in Business Administration and Economics from Wagner College.
Brad Bent: Chief Technology Officer
As the CTO Mr Bent is responsibile for continued 3D product development, enhancement and inspection of quality control procedures. In addition, Brad oversees the 3D content development techiques, training and new softwares.
Long time entertainment and production professional, Mr Bent's career in the entertainment business spans more than 30 years of extensive performing, technical, creative, management, and production experience. For the past decade, Mr. Bent has had his sights focused on the development and proliferation of the 3D entertainment industry. A recognized 3D expert in the field, Brad has been selected to have work with several 3D companies throughout his career, most recently founding Digital Picture Group 3D and Full Blown Productions which specialized in 3D content creation for both glasses based and "auto-stereo" displays.
Mike Egan: Senior Vice President, Sales & Marketing
As Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing based out of the company’s New York City headquarters, Mr. Egan is responsible for cultivating new business relationships globally and providing his expertise in strategic marketing, branding and public relations for the company. Mr. Egan also oversees the sales and channel marketing efforts by developing key alliances and Value Added Resellers to deliver Magnetic's 3D Digital Media Solution.
Prior to joining Magnetic Media, Mr. Egan was an original member of NewSight’s executive team (formerly known as X3D Technologies). During his 4 ½ years at the Company, Mr. Egan held several key senior management positions including Senior VP of Strategic Marketing & Vice President of Business Development. Mr. Egan also oversaw the channel marketing initiatives and set up a network of key Value Added Resellers in Europe, Australia, Russia & South Africa and was instrumental in bringing the advancement of 3D advertising solutions to fruition.
Before NewSight, Mike founded Sports Custom Publishing Inc. where he successfully secured multi-year license agreements with MLB, NBA, NASCAR, NHL, USOC and WWF to produce a new sports theme product. Mr. Egan was also the Director of Marketing for Cablevision’s, Fox Sports Net and held several key media sales & marketing positions at Newsday and USA Today during his 18 year career in the newspaper industry. Mike holds Bachelor of Science Degree in Marketing from CW Post and resides on Long Island.
Dan Fischer: Vice President of Technical Operations As VP of Technical Operations, Mr. Fischer is responsible for all software integration, hardware specificaiton and required services associated with the build out of all 3D Enabled video networks. Prior to joining the company Mr. Fischer worked at senior level positions within the National basketball Association, Newsight (formally X3D), Virage and Digital Generation Systems. In each one of these companies he was instrumental in the launch of Broadcast Video Networks from the intial concept, through the gathering of technical requirements to final implementation.
With a deep understanding of broadcast video, for both traditional 2D and emerging 3D as well as networking topologies, Mr. Fischer has empowered many startups to grow from napkin backed sketches to fully functioning broadcast video networks. Mr. Fischer also has over 13 years of streaming video knowledge, dating back to 1995 when he was involved in the launch of several pioneer internet based video initiatives, constantly pushing the available technologies to the edge.
Mr. Fischer also brings to Magnetic many years of technical experience in the video related software sales and service industry. He has continually lead the way to pushing greater definition video to the online masses. He currently resides in beautiful Sparta New Jersey and when not tinkering with his many projects finds time to relax on his boat.
Glenn Grillo: 3D Art Director, Graphic Designer
One of Magnetic's veteran auto-stereo designers, Glenn has been responsible for bringing the vision of the executive team to life in 3D. Prior to working with Magnetic, Mr. Grillo was a creating stunning immersive 3-d visuals for Universal Studios theme-parks, Disney , AT&T , Nintendo, Dolby , HP, Xbox. His work has been included in the Berlin Video Festival , Ars Electronica and Siggraphs animation Festivals. Glenn has also VJ’d for some of the largest DJ’s in the world including, BT , Paul Okenfold, Carl Cox , Fat Boy Slim and recently in a first ever event, he performed live at Avalon/LA creating real-time beat sensitive 3D graphics for DJ Tiesto. Glenn has developed is own 3D graphics DVD line and is featured on several others.
