Larry Namer, Founder of E! Entertainment & Metan Global Entertainment Speaks with Y-Labs Fellows about Diversity in Media
Larry Namer is the co-founder of the E! Network and the Founder, President & CEO of Metan Global Entertainment — a cross-cultural media company with offices in LA, Shanghai, and Beijing.
Larry Namer — Cashing in on Pop Culture, Advice to Y-Labs Business Teens
Larry Namer, legendary Global Entertainment guru gave an incredible talk that tackled real world start-up lessons fit for Y-Labs’ culturally and globally diverse group of Teen Business Accelerator attendees.
Larry informed Y-Labs Fellows about the value of diversity and authenticity for long-term business success and a time-honed action list of advice — including; how to break into the television, music, and media, and how to create a successful media enterprise in China.
When speaking of establishing business presence across the globe, Larry emphasized the importance of cultural respect. “When you’re a guest in another country, like someone else’s house, be respectful-listen, look and learn.”
Diversity Drives Success
Namer, the independent E! Entertainment co-founder cited the Brooklyn neighborhood where he grew up and his public high school, Abraham Lincoln High School in shaping his ability to perceive up and coming pop culture niches domestically and internationally. Larry found that Brooklyn made him “comfortable with diversity” because “kids of immigrants, the first generation to go to college” led him to see the common human elements that we all share and that you could, build “genuine and irreverent yet authentic network” like E! Entertainment. Growing up with diversity led him to consider the Russian and Chinese market, and success in those markets began with respect, listening, and learning. He notes that media tends to reflect those who work in it, and more diverse employees leads to more diverse content.
“Diversity in media programming begins with employee diversity.”
Other things we learned from Larry:
- For the first 3 and half years nobody invested in their idea because they thought it would not work. This forced them to innovate.
- He also spoke about the power of resilience…For their first ever Oscar appearance, they literally had to jump the fence to get in. Today they are known for the red carpet at the oscars.
About Larry Namer
Larry Namer is an entertainment and media entrepreneur who co-founded the E! Entertainment Television network and founded Metan Global Entertainment Group, where he serves as the President and CEO. Larry also runs a business consulting firm that focuses on technology and innovation in the media and entertainment space. Larry has consulted with Microsoft and World Digital Media, a joint venture between Sirius Radio Shack and Dish Network.
Y-Labs Co-Founder, Christina Zhu-Weaver hosted the event on Zoom.
About Y-Labs
Y-Labs is a highly selective entrepreneurship, venture design and social innovation program for talented teenagers who have demonstrative potential in STEAMS (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics, and Sports). Our mission is to accelerate the talent and passion of young people for innovation-led entrepreneurship that leads to real social change within their communities. Our network of experienced Silicon Valley professionals provide mentorship and coaching to Y-Labs Fellows. We are dedicated to promoting diversity, equity and inclusion. Learn more about Y-Labs here.
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