Press Release

Mila Kunis, Neil Patrick Harris, Mayim Bialik, Billy Porter, Dame Helen Mirren, Phil Rosenthal, Zachary Quinto, Sherry Lansing, Emmanuelle Chriqui, Dana Goldberg, Gene Simmons, Greg Berlanti, Edgar Ramirez, Tracy Ann Oberman, and Diane Warren among 200+ celebrities and entertainment industry professionals to sign open letter against boycott of Israel’s largest LGBTQ+ film festival.

LOS ANGELES (Oct 27 2021) — More than 200 leaders from the entertainment industry have signed an open letter released by the non-profit entertainment industry organization Creative Community For Peace in support of the Tel Aviv International LGBTQ+ Film Festival (TLVFest) and the participating filmmakers.

The entertainment leaders stand united in rejecting the cultural boycott of Israel as yet another roadblock to peace and its subversion of art for nefarious political purposes. At a time when the LGBTQ+ Community around the world continues to face immense discrimination, it is especially abhorrent to call for a boycott of an event that gives a voice to their stories and struggles.

The open letter comes in response to attempts by anti-Israel activists to boycott a film festival that celebrates international voices from the LGBTQ+ community, including the Middle East. TLVFest represents the epitome of coexistence, and regularly features Palestinian films, including two this year.

“In Israel, movies have the unique power to bring together Jews, Arabs, and people of all races, ethnicities, and backgrounds in collaboration under a shared love of the arts, working together towards the common goal of telling their stories, and building bridges of compassion and understanding,” the letter reads.

Signatories to the open letter include: Neil Patrick Harris (Actor); Dame Helen Mirren (Actress); Mila Kunis (Actress); Zach Quinto (Actor); Mayim Bialik (Actress); Emmanuelle Chriqui (Actress); Aaron Bay-Schuck (CEO/Co-Chairman Warner Record); Jeremy Piven (Actor, Comedian); Marty Adelstein (CEO Tomorrow Studios); Jonathan Tucker (Actor); Billy Porter (Actor); Gene Simmons (Artist, KISS); Edgar Ramirez (Actor); Greg Berlanti (Producer, Director); Haim Saban (Chairman & CEO, Saban Capital Group); Robbie Rogers (Athlete); Dana Goldberg (Chief Creative Officer of Skydance); Simon Callow (Actor); Tracy Ann Oberman (Actress); Lance Bass (Artist); David Burtka (Actor); John Benjamin Hickey (Actor); Rick Rosen (Co-Founder of Endeavor); Ben Silverman (Chairman & Co-CEO, Propagate Content); Melissa Rivers (Actress, TV Host); Paul Feig (Actor/Director); Michael Rotenberg (Partner, 3 Arts Entertainment); Eric Balfour (Actor); Rachel Riley (TV Host); Richard Benjamin (Actor/Director); Diane Warren (Songwriter); and Sherry Lansing (Former CEO of Paramount Pictures) amongst many others. 

The letter’s signatories believe strongly in the power of film to bring people together, transcend boundaries, broaden awareness, and affect positive societal change. They also call on their friends and colleagues to join in expressing support for a successful TLVFest 2021.

“We stand united with all the participating filmmakers against the divisive rhetoric espoused by boycott activists who seek to misinform, bully and intimidate artists into removing their films from the festival or shame them for participating in the festival,” the letter continues.

“Anti-Israel boycott activists intentionally use inflammatory language and make provocative statements, to try and bully filmmakers into backing out. Their messages intentionally involve an element of dishonesty and misinformation that only furthers hostility and dampens hope for peace, which all of us so urgently desire,” stated Ari Ingel, Director of Creative Community for Peace. 

Ingel added that “support of the boycott movement is also counterproductive and instead of amplifying the voices of coexistence trying to effect real change on the ground, those who support the calls for a boycott are only creating more hostility and division.”

Creative Community for Peace aims to promote the arts and culture as a means to peace and to counter and educate the entertainment industry about rising antisemitism. To learn more about their work, visit www.creativecommunityforpeace.com.

OPEN LETTER

We, the undersigned, believe that artistic freedom and creative expression are critical to a healthy, diverse, and inclusive society.
 
Films have the power to bring people together, transcend boundaries, broaden awareness, and affect positive societal change. 
 
In Israel, movies have the unique power to bring together Jews, Arabs, and people of all races, ethnicities, and backgrounds in collaboration under a shared love of the arts, working together towards the common goal of telling their stories, and building bridges of compassion and understanding.
 
The annual Tel Aviv International LGBTQ Film Festival (TLVFest) embodies this spirit of unity and truth, featuring films from filmmakers of all backgrounds, including Palestinians.
 
For this reason, we reject any attempt to boycott TLVFest – Israel’s largest LGBTQ Film Festival — which works to showcase the stories of LGBTQ people globally and create a brighter future for LGBTQ people both inside Israel and around the world.  
 
We stand united with all the participating filmmakers against the divisive rhetoric espoused by boycott activists who seek to misinform, bully and intimidate artists into removing their films from the festival or shame them for participating in the festival.
 
We believe that anyone who works to subvert TLVFest merely adds yet another roadblock to freedom, justice, equality, and peace that we all desperately desire, especially for the LGBTQ community that is persecuted throughout the Middle East and around the world. 
 
Artists should never be silenced, and art should not be subverted for political goals.
 
We call on our friends and colleagues worldwide to join us in expressing their support for a successful and exciting TLVFest 2021.

SIGNATORIES 

Aaron Bay-Schuck: CEO/Co-Chairman Warner Records

Jason Adelman: Vice President, Brand Innovators

Orly Adelson: Producer, Orly Adelson Productions

Marty Adelstein: CEO, Tomorrow Studios

Michael Adler: Partner of Lichter, Grossman, Nichols, Adler, Feldman & Clark Inc.

Javier Adrados: Music Journalist

Dan Aloni: Partner, Motion Pictures, William Morris Endeavor

Nate Auerbach: Partner, Versus Creative

Michael Auerbach: Partner at Jackoway Tyerman Wertheimer Austen Mandelbaum Morris & Klein

Eric Balfour: Actor

Craig Balsam: Co-Founder, Razor & Tie Entertainment

Eve Barlow: Music/Culture Journalist

Jonathan Baruch: Partner, Rain Management Group

Richard Baskind: Partner & Head of Music, Simons Muirhead & Burton

Lance Bass: Artist, Entrepreneur

Miles Beard: Senior Vice President, A&R at Artist Partner Group, Inc.

Jonathan Beckerman: Agent, United Talent Agency

Pablo Bendersky: Producer/Artist

Jacob Benbunan: CEO, Saffon Brand Consultants

Aton Ben-Horin: Global Vice President of A&R for Warner Music Group

Richard Benjamin: Actor/Director

Steven Bensusan: President, Blue Note Entertainment Group

Shelly Berger: Music Manager

Adam Berkowitz: Founder and President, Lenore Entertainment Group

Greg Berlanti: Producer, Director

Sara Berman: Artist

Luc Bernard: Director, Voices of the Forgotten

Mayim Bialik: Actress

Sharon Bialy: Casting Director

Josh Binder: Partner, Rotherberg, Mohr, and Binder LLP

Neil Blair: Partner, The Blair Partnership

Evan Bogart: Songwriter & Co-Founder of Boardwalk Entertainment Group

Howard Bragman: Publicist

Josh Brill: Writer, Producer

A.J. Buckley: Actor

David Burtka: Actor/Chef

David Byrnes: Partner, Ziffren, Brittenham, LLP

Sir Colin Callender CBE: Producer and CEO, Playground Entertainment

Simon Callow: Actor, Director

Nick Carter: Artist

Markell Casey: Senior Director A&R, Sony Music Australia

Brian Celler: Bravo Charlie Management 

Pamela Charbit: A&R Manager, Atlantic Records

Emmanuelle Chriqui: Actress, Activist

Erran Baron Cohen: Composer

Paul Colichman: Chief Executive Officer at Here Media, Inc.

Victoria S. Cook: Partner, Frankfurt Kurmit Klein & Selz

Leanne Coronel: President, The Coronel Group

Raye Cosbert: Managing Director, Metropolis Music

Ian Daly: Head of Brand Strategy, Live Nation

Greg Daniels: Writer and Producer

Yuval David: Actor, Host, Filmmaker, and Advocate

Josh Deutsch: Chairman/CEO, Premier Music Group

Jenna Dewan: Actress

Avi Diamond: Director, Film & Licensing Warner Chappell Music

Kosha Dillz: Artist

Craig Dorfman: President and Owner, Frontline MGMT 

David Draiman: Artist, Frontman of Disturbed

Doug Ellin: Screenwriter, Director

Stephan Elliott: Director

Craig Emanuel: Partner, Paul Hastings LLC

Ron Fair: Record Producer & CEO, Faircraft Inc.

Sharon Farber: Composer

Daniel Federman: Owner, Maccabi Tel Aviv

Eric Feig: Founder, Eric Feig Entertainment & Media Law Inc.

Paul Feig: Actor, Director, Producer

Ryan Feldman: Agent, William Morris Endeavor

Patti Felker: Partner, Felker Toczek Gelman Suddleson

Jacob Fenton: Partner, United Talent Agency

Ken Fermaglich: Partner, United Talent Agency

Rodney Ferrell: EVP, Head of Scripted, Propagate

Greg Fleishman: Co-Founder & CEO, Foodstirs

Josh Fluxgold: President, One Way MGMT

Erica Forster: VP of Music Partnerships, DanceOn

Gary Foster: Principal at Krasnoff Foster Productions

Jordan Frazes: Founder, Frazes Creative

Ben Freeman: Educator and Writer

Sonia Friedman OBE: Theatre Producer

Stephen Fry: Actor

Siri Garber: President, Platform Public Relations

David Gardner: President, Artists First

Nancy Gates: Partner, United Talent Agency

Andrew Genger: Manager, Red Light Management

Gary Gersh: President of Global Talent, AEG

Gary Ginsberg: Former Senior VP, SoftBank Group Corp.

Daniel Glass: President and Founder, Glassnote Records

Karen Glauber: President, HITS Magazine

David Glick: Founder & CEO, Edge Group

Elon Gold: Comedian

Dana Goldberg: Chief Creative Officer, Skydance

Iddo Goldberg: Actor

Michael Goldwasser: Producer & President/Co-Founder, Easy Star Records

Andrew Gould: EVP Music Publishing, Roc Nation

Trudy Green: Trudy Green Management/HK

Steve Greenberg: President, S-Curve Records

Scott Greenberg: Manager and Partner at LBI Entertainment

Paul Haas: Agent, Partner William Morris Endeavor

Sarah Halioua: Producer and Partner, Abracadabra Audiovisual

Alex Hai: Writer, Director

Neil Patrick Harris: Actor

Ronnie Harris: Partner, Harris & Trotter LLP

John Benjamin Hickey: Actor

Tom Holland: Author/Historian

Wes Hurley: Filmmaker/Writer

Erik Hyman: Partner, Paul Hastings

Richard “BournRich” Ingram: Artist, Creative Director

Neil Jacobson: Founder, Hallwood Media

Jonathan Jakubowicz: Writer and Director

Zach Katz: President, Raised In Space

Lee Kern: Screenwriter

Scott Kluge: President, Tremendous Entertainment

Amanda Kogan: Agent, The Gersh Agency

Rick Krim: Co-Founder, Worldwired Music

Mila Kunis: Actress

Gabz Landman

Sherry Lansing: Former CEO of Paramount Pictures

Joanie Leeds: Singer/Songwriter

Sam Leifer: Writer/Director

Teddy Leifer: Producer

Martin Lesak: Partner, United Talent Agency

Colin Lester OBE: Founder/Chairman, JEM Music Group

Alberto Levy: Artist, Technologist

David Levy: Partner, William Morris Endeavor Entertainment

David Levy: Former President of Turner/WarnerMedia, Founder of Back Nine Ventures

Jonathan Lipnicki: Actor

David Lonner: CEO, The David Lonner Co. 

Ben Maddahi: SVP A&R, Columbia Records

Imran Majid: Co-CEO, Island Records

Gabriel Mann: Composer/Producer 

Susan Markheim: Manager, Full Stop Mgt., The Azoff Company

Orly Marley: President, Tuff Gong Worldwide

Nancy Matalon: VP of A&R, Spirit Music Group

David Mazouz: Actor

AJ McLean: Artist

Doron Medalie: Composer

Helen Mirren DRE: Actress

Sebastian Moguilevsky: Managing Director, Warner Bros. Spain and Portugal

Max Mutchnick: Executive Producer

Guy Nattiv: Director

Leetal Nissenbaum: VP of Synchronization and Licensing, Ultra Records 

Lisa Nupoff: Manager, IMINMUSIC Management 

Tracy Ann Oberman: Actress

Sharon Osbourne: Television Personality, Manager

Mandi Perkins: Artist, Songwriter

Trevor Phillips OBE: Journalist and Commentator

Jonah Platt: Actor/Writer

Jeremy Piven: Actor, Comedian

Billy Porter: Actor

Mike Praw

Paula Prentiss: Actress

Zachary Quinto: Actor

Edgar Ramirez: Actor

Itay Reiss: Talent Manager

David Renzer: Former Chairman/CEO of Universal Music Publishing

Zak Resnick: Actor

Rachel Riley: TV Host

Melissa Rivers: Actress, TV Host

Lindy Robbins: Artist

Jaimison M. Roberts: Attorney

Hanna Rochelle: Founder & President, Lyric Culture

Robbie Rogers: Professional Soccer Player

Dan Rosen: President of Warner Music Australasia

Rick Rosen: Co-Founder, Endeavor

Howard Rosenman: Producer, Actor, Writer

Shep Rosenman: Partner, Katz Golden Roseman LLP

Phil Rosenthal: Writer, Producer          

Michael Rotenberg:  Partner, 3 Arts Entertainment

Autumn Rowe: Songwriter, Producer, DJ

Haim Saban: Chairman & CEO, Saban Capital Group

Jacqueline Saturn: President, Virgin Music

Ayelet Schiffman: SVP Head of Promotions, Island Records

Paul Schindler: Senior Chair of the New York Entertainment and Media Practice

Steve Schnur: President of Music, Electronic Arts

Jordan Schur: CEO & Chairman, Mimran Schur Pictures & Suretone Entertainment

Sam Schwartz: Partner, Gorfaine/Schwartz Agency

Camila Seta: Marketing & Content Strategy, Rogers & Cowan 

DJ White Shadow: Producer/Artist

Noah “Westside Gravy” Shufutinsky: Artist

Ben Silverman: Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer, Propagate Content

Gene Simmons: Artist, KISS

Ralph Simon: Chairman & CEO, Mobilium Global Limited

Marty Singer: Attorney, Lavely and Singer

Robert Singer: President, Dec. 3^rd Productions

Danielle Solzman: Film Critic, Solzy at the Movies

Jeff Sosnow: EVP A&R, Warner Music

Nancy Spielberg: Producer, Playmount Productions 

Donna Spievak: Director of Strategic Marketing, Interscope Records 

Justin Sternberg: Writer

Jonathan Steinsapir: Partner, Kinsella Weitzman Iser Kump & Aldisert LLP

Gary Stiffelman: Founder, GSS Law

Lior Suchard: Master Mentalist

Aaron Symonds: Composer    

Traci Szymanski: President, Co-Star Entertainment

Alona Tal: Actress

Adam Taylor: President, APM Music

Noa Tishby: Actress, Producer

Fred Toczek: Partner, Felker Toczek Gelman Suddleson

Eric Tuchman: Writer, Producer

Jonathan Tucker: Actor

Ronli Tzour: VP Marketing & Manager, First Access Entertainment

Tehran Von Ghasri: Entertainer

Jeremy Vuernick: Executive VP of A&R, Capitol Records

Diane Warren: Songwriter, Producer

Joshua Washington: Artist, Producer

Tom Watson: Former Shadow Secretary of State for Culture

Jon Weinbach: President, Skydance Sports

Nola Weinstein: Global Head of Culture & Experiential, Twitter

Ron West: Co-founder and Partner, Thruline Entertainment

Evan Winiker: Managing Partner, Range Media

Jeffrey Winter: Executive Director, The Film Collaborative 

Shirin Yadegar: Journalist

Sharon Tal Yguado: Founder & CEO, Astrid Entertainment

Sebastian Zar Esq.: Sedlmayr & Associates

David Zedeck: Global Head of Music, United Talent Agency

 

** Note – The signers of this statement do so as individuals on their own behalf and not on behalf of their companies or organizations. All organizations and companies listed are for affiliation purposes only.

For Immediate Release – May 29, 2020

Creative Community for Peace’s statement regarding the incident in Minneapolis and this crisis facing the black community in America, which affects us all:

CREATIVE COMMUNITY FOR PEACE CONDEMNS THE BULLYING OF DEMI LOVATO

Los Angeles, CA (October 4, 2019) – Creative Community for Peace (CCFP) condemns the recent attack by boycott movement activists on Demi Lovato’s Instagram photos from her recent trip to Israel.

Along with members of her family, Ms. Lovato took a spiritual trip to Israel, like millions of people from all faiths and backgrounds do every year. Unfortunately, boycott activists hijacked her social media page after she posted photos from the trip for their own political gain.

She posted movingly about the time she spent at the holocaust museum, a disabled children’s center, and about being baptized in the Jordan River. There was nothing political about her trip, but rather this was a trip of learning, compassion, and self-discovery.

Yet in a calculated attack, boycott activists, trolls and bots immediately targeted her and her fans, in an attempt to turn her influential social media feed into their own bully pulpit.

Attacks like this against artists must end, and we echo Nick Cave’s words from last year when he stated: “The cultural boycott of Israel is cowardly and shameful. Israel is a real, vibrant, functioning democracy – yes, with Arab members of parliament – and so engaging with Israelis, who vote, may be more helpful than scaring off artists or shutting down means of engagement.”

Ms. Lovato is certainly not alone in being a celebrity who has recently traveled to Israel. Others, including Jennifer Lopez, Daddy Yankee, Deshaun Watson, Neil Patrick Harris, and Alex Rodriguez, have all spoken about the positive experience they have had on their recent trips to the country – whether to perform or visit.

We at CCFP encourage artists to travel to Israel and the region and experience it for themselves. Ms. Lovato has no reason to apologize for her visit to Israel, but rather should be embraced for her love of humanity.

About Creative Community for Peace:

Founded by entertainment industry executives, Creative Community for Peace (CCFP) is a non-profit organization comprised of prominent members of the entertainment industry who have come together to promote the arts as a means to peace, support artistic freedom, and counter the cultural boycott of Israel. CCFP is apolitical, and does not stand for any government official or party. Instead, CCFP believes in artists and their ability to affect lives and effect positive change.

MORE THAN 400 ARTISTS AND ENTERTAINMENT EXECS GATHERED

TO HONOR AARON BAY-SCHUCK, JACQUELINE SATURN, TROY CARTER,

WALTER KOLM, AND ZIGGY MARLEY AT

CREATIVE COMMUNITY FOR PEACE’S SECOND ANNUAL

AMBASSADOR’S OF PEACE (AOP) AWARDS EVENT

‘CELEBRATING AMBASSADORS OF PEACE’ (AOP) EVENT

HELD ON SEPTEMBER 26 IN LOS ANGELES

Walter Kolm (former President of Universal Music Latino and now manages Maluma, Carlos Vives, and Wisin); Ziggy Marley (Grammy Award Winning Artist); Jacqueline Saturn (President, Caroline Music/CMG); Aaron Bay-Schuck (CEO/Co-Chairman Warner Records); Troy Carter (Founder of Q&A and Atom Factory). 

On Thursday, September 26, Creative Community For Peace (CCFP) held its second annual “Celebrating Ambassadors of Peace” (AOP) event at the Holmby Hills home of noted entertainment attorney and CCFP Advisory Board member, Gary Stiffelman, Esq. (whose clients have included Justin Timberlake, Eminem, Yo-Yo Ma, Trent Reznor, Maroon 5).

In 2018, CCFP honored Scooter Braun, Geffen Records President Neil Jacobson and Warner Music Group executive Aton Ben-Horin. This year’s honorees were: Aaron Bay-Schuck (CEO/Co-Chairman Warner Records); Jacqueline Saturn (President, Caroline Music/CMG); Troy Carter (Founder of Q&A and Atom Factory); Walter Kolm (former President of Universal Music Latino and now manages Maluma, Carlos Vives, and Wisin amongst others); and special artist honoree, Ziggy Marley (GRAMMY Award-winning artist).

The honorees were chosen for their commitment to championing artistic freedom and advancing the idea that music and the arts are a powerful force for building cultural bridges. Through their work and influence, they have advanced coexistence to create a better future for all.

Among the many industry professionals supporting CCFP at the event were: Pulse Music Group co-CEO Josh Abraham, Warner Records EVP A&R Nate Albert, Saban Chairman and CEO Haim Saban, Warner Records SVP Urban Marketing Chris Atlas, WMG Global VP A&R Aton Ben-Horin, attorney Audrey Benoualid, manager Jason Bernard, Warner Records SVP A&R Eesean Bolden, WMG Creative Officer Mike Caren, Reservoir EVP A&R Donna Caseine, Big Deal co-President Jamie Cerreta, Warner Records EVP Promotion Michael Chester, Warner Records CEO/co-Chairman Tom Corson, manager Andy Gould, attorney Eric Greenspan, Capitol Music Group COO Michelle Jubelirer, Geffen Records SVP A&R Neil Jacobson, artist JoJo, Raised in Space CEO Zach Katz, Milk & Honey President/manager Lucas Keller, UMPG President North America Evan Lamberg, music publisher Nancy Matalon, Primary Wave CEO Larry Mestel, RCA co-President Joe Riccitelli, Big Deal co-President Casey Robison (still not wearing any socks), attorney Aaron Rosenberg, Saban Chairman & CEO Haim Saban, artists Bonnie and Anita Pointer (Pointer Sisters), Warner Records EVP A&R Jeff Sosnow, Primary Wave President Justin Shukat, songwriter Justin Tranter, Warner Records consultant Lenny Waronker, songwriter Diane Warren, Atlantic Records President Film & TV Kevin Weaver, Alt 98.7fm and iHeartRadio VP Programming Lisa Worden, and Anthem VP Business Development David Weitzman.

Steve Schnur (CCFP Co-Founder & Worldwide Executive & Music President, Electronic Arts); Ziggy Marley (Grammy Award Winning Artist)

“CCFP is about the power of music and art and culture to bridge bridges of peace,” veteran music publishing executive and CCFP co-founder David Renzer said in his opening remarks at the event.  “We believe in co-existence…We support the power of music to bring people together.”

Honoree Aaron Bay-Schuck praised CCFP and the power of music, saying, “This organization is not political. It understands that music is a force for change and that artists should not be threatened or silenced wherever they choose to perform …When an artist chooses not to perform in Israel—or anywhere in the world for that matter—we all suffer.” 

The honorees spoke about their experiences in Israel as well. Jacqueline Saturn, who has been traveling to Israel every year for the past seventeen years said that “there’s no better place to witness unity than Jerusalem…Artists should always have the opportunity to connect with their [audiences] anywhere in the world…music has the ability to pierce through cultural barriers.”

Troy Carter mentioned the misconceptions he had about Israel the first time he traveled there with his former client, Lady Gaga. “I had a bias,” he said. “You see on the news, you think it’s going to be war torn, dangerous. We took the Navy Seals with us, we went over with all this security, and when we landed it was better than Miami Beach. We were swimming in the Mediterranean, floating in the Dead Sea, I [bought] fake Gucci on the street where Jesus walked…We’re lucky to get up every day and work on art that heals people. Music is the one thing that brings people together and we have to continue to champion that.” 

Walter Kolm, whose clients regularly perform in Israel, said, “My days of being a metal head are behind me, but something I believe then and now: music belongs everywhere. It’s important for us to defend art in all its shapes and forms. Music should remain independent of other issues.”

The Marley family has long had a connection to Israel and a passion for using music to unite the world. “I’ve been going to Israel since I was a teenager,” honoree Ziggy Marley said. “Israel was a storybook place for us. We felt a connection to it through our father, through our beliefs,” he said. “I’ve been going back ever since. We don’t play in Israel for political reason, we play for the people [to] spread our message of justice, love and peace for all people… Going to Israel for me is no problem because we go for the people, not the politics.” 

The evening concluded with performances by Donna Missile and JoJo, who brought out PJ Morton to perform their R&B hit, “Say So.”

JoJo (Warner Records artist)

About Creative Community for Peace:

Founded by entertainment industry executives, Creative Community for Peace (CCFP) is a non-profit organization comprised of prominent members of the entertainment industry who have come together to promote the arts as a means to peace, support artistic freedom, and counter the cultural boycott of Israel. CCFP is apolitical, and does not stand for any government official or party. Instead, CCFP believes in artists and their ability to affect lives and effect positive change.

Web: https://www.creativecommunityforpeace.com

Video: https://vimeo.com/332545709

# # #

AUGUST 20, 2019

FR:      ALEXANDRA GREENBERG/FALCON PUBLICITY

 

CEO/CO-CHAIRMAN OF WARNER RECORDS AARON BAY-SCHUCK,

GRAMMY WINNING ARTIST ZIGGY MARLEY,

PRESIDENT OF CAROLINE MUSIC/CMG JACQUELINE SATURN, TROY CARTER

AND TOP LATIN MANAGER WALTER KOLM

ALL TO BE HONORED AS “AMBASSADORS OF PEACE”

BY CREATIVE COMMUNITY FOR PEACE

 

 ‘CELEBRATING AMBASSADORS OF PEACE’ (AOP) EVENT

SET FOR SEPTEMBER 26 IN LOS ANGELES

 

On Thursday, September 26, Creative Community For Peace (CCFP) will hold its second annual “Celebrating Ambassadors of Peace” (AOP) event at the Holmby Hills home of noted entertainment attorney and CCFP Advisory Board member, Gary Stiffelman, Esq. (whose clients have included Justin Timberlake, Eminem, Yo-Yo Ma, Trent Reznor, Maroon 5).

In 2018, CCFP honored Scooter Braun, Geffen Records President Neil Jacobson and Warner Music Group executive Aton Ben-Horin. This year’s honorees are: Aaron Bay-Schuck (CEO/Co-Chairman Warner Records); Jacqueline Saturn (President, Caroline Music/CMG); Troy Carter (Founder of Q&A and Atom Factory); Walter Kolm (former President of Universal Music Latino and now manages Maluma, Carlos Vives, and Wisin amongst others); and special artist honoree, Ziggy Marley (GRAMMY Award-winning artist).

The honorees were chosen for their commitment to championing artistic freedom and advancing the idea that music and the arts are a powerful force for building cultural bridges. Through their work and influence, they have advanced coexistence to create a better future for all.

As stated by CCFP Co-Founder David Renzer, and Director Ari Ingel, “Creative Community for Peace was founded by entertainment industry executives on the principal that music and the arts can be a unifying force to bring people of different backgrounds together. We also believe that a cultural boycott of Israel does not further the prospects for peace.”

The honorees shared their excitement to be recognized as Ambassadors of Peace and the importance of CCFP’s work, stating the following:

Aaron Bay-Schuck: “I am honored to be recognized as an ‘Ambassador of Peace’ by Creative Community for Peace and humbled to be receiving it alongside such accomplished industry executives and friends. The cultural boycott movement is detrimental to prospects for peace between Israelis and Palestinians, as well as to artistic freedom around the world, and I will continue to stand with my friends and colleagues who are dedicated to using music and the arts to bring people together.”

Jacqueline Saturn: “I’m honored to receive the Ambassadors of Peace award from Creative Community for Peace. Music and all creative art forms have the unique ability to pierce through cultural barriers, reshape perspectives, and create common ground. CCFP bridges divergent communities, enabling them to find a common voice. Now more than ever, the creative community must take a courageous stance against those that seek to divide rather than unite. I am proud to be in a position to empower artists from many different backgrounds to help us get to “higher ground.”

Walter Kolm: “It’s an honor for me to receive an Ambassadors of Peace award this year.  I’ve always been a firm believer in the power of music to bring people together, which is why I support CCFP and their mission. The fact that so many incredible Latin artists I’ve worked with over the years, like Maluma, Carlos Vives and Wisin, have performed in Israel is a testament to this. Our artists are always embraced with enthusiasm and love in such a way that truly shows that music crosses all cultural and national boundaries to unite us.”

Troy Carter: “There is no better way to bring people of different backgrounds together than through the arts. This is why I share the vision of Creative Community for Peace and am proud to receive their Ambassador of Peace award.”

Ziggy Marley: “It is an honor to be one of CCFP’s 2019 Ambassadors of Peace. We all should use our voices, music, and art in the struggle for justice, love, and peace for all human beings of all races, religions, and ethnicities. I am thankful to be a part of this year’s ceremony. One Love”

More than two-hundred top entertainment industry leaders are expected to attend the event, which will feature special musical performances.  Sponsors include Sony/ATV, EA Music, BMI, Epic Records, Atlantic Records and Warner Records among many others. Variety, which recently included CCFP honoree Jacqueline Saturn on their “Women’s Impact Report,” is the event’s official media sponsor.

A limited number of tickets for this exclusive event are available for purchase at the following site, along with sponsorship opportunities: https://www.creativecommunityforpeace.com/gala/honorees/

 

About Creative Community for Peace:

Founded by entertainment industry executives, Creative Community for Peace (CCFP) is a non-profit organization comprised of prominent members of the entertainment industry who have come together to promote the arts as a means to peace, support artistic freedom, and counter the cultural boycott of Israel. CCFP is apolitical, and does not stand for any government official or party. Instead, CCFP believes in artists and their ability to affect lives and effect positive change.

Web: https://www.creativecommunityforpeace.com

Video: https://vimeo.com/332545709

# # #

 

Contact: Alexandra Greenberg

Direct: 213-216-1755

Email: agreenberg@falconpublicity.com

 

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CELEBRITIES AND ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY LEADERS SPEAK OUT AGAINST ISRAEL EUROVISION BOYCOTT

With the much anticipated Eurovision Song Contest just around the corner, more than 100 artists and leading names in the entertainment industry unite in the spirit of peace and togetherness to show their support for the show in Israel.

London, UK (30, 2019) – The entertainment industry non-profit organisation, Creative Community For Peace (CCFP), has released a statement in support of the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest, which is being held in Tel Aviv, Israel this May.

With over 100 signatories, the statement includes stars such as Sharon Osbourne, Rachel Riley, and Stephen Fry, as well as Gene Simmons and Tracy Ann Oberman, amongst the biggest names across the global entertainment and music industry.

The full statement and list of signatories can be found below. Additionally, over 15,000 people from around the world have signed a similar statement on Change.org, asserting that a cultural boycott of Eurovision does not work to advance peace between Israelis and Palestinians. [LINK]

This news comes as the BBC recently released its own statement in support of the Eurovision Song Contest in Israel this year, noting that the international song contest, as always, embodies the “values of friendship, inclusion, tolerance, and diversity.”

Ari Ingel, Director of CCFP, said: “This year, approximately 200 million people will watch, visit and take part in the Eurovision song contest, celebrating music and the diversity of our different cultures. The members of the entertainment industry who have signed this statement, along with the thousands of individuals who have endorsed its message, all believe in building bridges through music and the arts as a means to achieving greater understanding and peace in the region.”

STATEMENT

We, the undersigned, believe that music is our shared language, one that transcends boundaries and brings people together under a common bond.

We believe that unifying events, such as singing competitions, are crucial to help bridge our cultural divides and bring people of all backgrounds together through their shared love of music.

The annual Eurovision Song Contest embodies this unifying power. Every year, millions of people across Europe, and around the world, join together in a massive display of cultural exchange and celebration of music.

Unfortunately, this year, the spirit of togetherness is under attack by those calling to boycott Eurovision 2019 because it is being held in Israel, subverting the spirit of the contest and turning it from a tool of unity into a weapon of division.

We believe the cultural boycott movement is an affront to both Palestinians and Israelis who are working to advance peace through compromise, exchange, and mutual recognition.

While we all may have differing opinions on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the best path to peace, we all agree that a cultural boycott is not the answer.

We call on all our friends and colleagues around the world to express their support for an exciting and successful Eurovision 2019 in Tel Aviv.

SIGNATORIES

Marina Abramović: Performance Artist

Orly Adelson: President ,Orly Adelson Productions

Jason Adelman: Vice President, Strategy & Brand Development at Brand Innovators

Marty Adelstein: CEO, Tomorrow Studios

Michael Adler: Partner, Lichter, Grossman, Nichols, Adler & Feldman

Alberto (Miss Caffeina): Artist

Mitch Allen: Music Producer

Keren Ann – Artist

Alfredo Arense:  Journalist, Radio 3

Baccara (Cristina y María): Artist

Gary Barber: Former chairman and CEO of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) and co-founder of Spyglass Entertainment

Craig Balsam: Co-founder, Razor & Tie Entertainment

Richard Baskind: Partner & Head of  Music Simons, Muirhead & Burton

Carlos Baute: Artist

Aton Ben-Horin: Global VP, A&R at Warner Music Group

Daniel Benmayor: Filmmaker

Steven Bensusan: President ,Blue Note Entertainment Group

Maya Binkin: The Art Pilgrim

Neil Blair: The Blair Partnership

Evan Bogart: Hit Songwriter, President Boardwalk Ent.

Joshua P. Binder: Partner, Rotherberg, Mohr, and Binder LLP.

Harvey Brown: Professor

Scooter Braun: Founder, SB Projects

David Byrnes: Partner, Ziffren Brittenham ,LLP

Simon Callow: Actor

Ellie Cannon: Doctor and Media Personality

Caroline Civia: President of Clic Entertainment

Isabel Coixet: Filmmaker

Conchita (María Concepción Mendívil): Artist

Deborah Conway: Artist

Jim Cooperman: Senior VP Legal & Business Affairs, The Madison Square Garden Company

Rob Cowan: Point Blank

Rory Cowan: Actor

Josh Deutsch: Chairman/CEO ,Downtown Records

David Draiman: Musician and front man of Disturbed

Craig Emanuel: Partner, Entertainment & Media, Paul Hastings

Ron Fair: Record  Producer & CEO, Faircraft Inc.

Erica Forster: VP of Music Partnerships, DanceOn

Gary Foster: Principal, Krasnoff Foster Productions

Daryl Friedman: Chief Advocacy & Industry Relations Officer, The

Recording Academy/ GRAMMYs

Stephen Fry: Actor, Comedian

Saul Galpern: President, Nude Music Group

Andrew Genger: Red Light Management

Gary Gersh: President, Global Talent, A.E.G. Presents

Gary Ginsberg: Senior VP, Softbank

Daniel Glass: President & Founder, Glassnote Entertainment Group

David Glick: Founder & CEO, Edge Group

Andrew Gould: President of A&R, Downtown Music Publishing

Trudy Green: Trudy Green Management/HK Management

Matt Greenberg: Ritholz Levy Fields LLP

Steve Greenberg: President, S-Curve Records

Sarah Halioua, Producer, Visionnaire Films

Ronnie Harris: Harris & Trotter LLP

Scott Hoffman: Artist (Scissor Sisters), Songwriter and Producer

Neil Jacobson: President, Geffen Records

Zach Katz: Former President of A&R BMG, CEO Raised In Space

Larry Katz: Esq., Lawrence H. Katz, P.C

Allison Kaye: President of SB Projects

Adam Kenwright: Executive Vice President at Ambassador Theatre Group

Ilan Kidron: Artist (Potbelleez)

Amanda Kogan: William Morris Endeavor Entertainment (WME)

Rick Krim: Former Co-President, Sony/ATV Music Publishing

Rosa Lagarrigue: CEO, RLM

Mollie Lehman: A&R at Atlantic Records

Colin Lester: CEO, JEM Artists

David Levy: Partner & Co-Head, William Morris Endeavor Entertainment

Lior: Artist

David Lonner: CEO, Oasis Media Group

Javier López: Artist

Iona de Macedo: Entertainment industry

Ben Maddahi: President of Unrestricted

Imran Majid: EVP/Co-Head of A&R, Columbia Records

Orly Marley

David Mazouz: Actor

Betty Missiego: Artist

Al Murray: Comedian

Mónica Naranjo, Artist

Caroline Norbury: CEO – Creative England

Tracy Ann Oberman: Actress

Antonio Martos Ortiz: Artist

Sharon Osbourne: Manager, Businesswoman, Television Star

Scott Packman, Former Senior EVP & General Counsel; Managing Member of SSP Partners

Jose Ramón Pardo: Journalist, RNE

Donald S. Passman: Partner, Gang, Tyre, Ramer, & Brown, Inc.

Lucía Pérez: Producer, Maestranza Films

Antonio Pérez: Maestranza Films

Dean Raise: C3 Presents

David Renzer: Former Chairman/CEO, Universal Music Publishing Group

Rachel Riley: Actress, TV Presenter

Lindy Robbins: Multi-platinum Songwriter

Jaimison M. Roberts: Attorney at Law

Dan Rosen: CEO, Australian Recording Industry Association

Hanna Rochelle: Founder & President, Lyric Culture

Rick Rosen: Co-Founder & Head of Television, William Morris Endeavor Entertainment

Haim Saban: Businessman, Philanthropist and Producer

Marta Sánchez: Artist

Rafa Sánchez: Artist

Paul Schindler: Senior Chair of the New York Entertainment & Media Practice, Greenberg Traurig LLC

Steve Schnur: Worldwide Executive & Music President, Electronic Arts

Sam Schwartz: Partner, Gorfaine/Schwartz Agency

Jonathan Shalit OBE: Chairman – InterTalent Rights Group

Ben Silverman: Chairman & Co-CEO, Propagate Content

Gene Simmons: Band member of KISS

Ralph Simon: Chairman & CEO, Mobilium Global Limited

David Simone: President – DSW Entertainment

Soraya: Artist

Jeff Sosnow: SVP of A&R at Warner Music Group

Jose Ortega Soto (Manzanita): Artist

Gary Stiffelman: Shareholder, Greenberg Traurig LLP

Aaron Symonds: Film Composer

Traci Szymanski: President of Co-Star Entertainment/Israelife Media Group

Sharon Tal Yguado: Head of Event Series at Amazon

Adam Taylor: President, APM Music

Joyce Trabulus: Manager

Mario Vaquerizo: Artist and TV & Radio Collaborator

José Sainz de Vicuña: President, Impala films

Peter Wade: Producer and President of WonderSound

** Note – The signers of this statement do so as individuals on their own behalf and not on behalf of their companies or organizations. All organizations and companies listed are for affiliation purposes only.

Notes to editors:

Creative Community for Peace (CCFP) is a non-profit organization comprised of prominent members of the entertainment industry who have come together to promote the arts as a means to peace, support artistic freedom, and counter the cultural boycott of Israel. CCFP is apolitical, and does not stand for any government official or party, and does not receive funding or support from any government, or government related entity.  Instead, CCFP believes in artists and their ability to affect lives and effect change. Furthermore, CCFP’s advisory board is made up entirely of independent entertainment industry professionals and it is these entertainment industry professionals and staff that direct its day-to-day operations.  More than 35,000 people have signed CCFP’s general anti-boycott petition [LINK].

The Meteor Festival in northern Israel opened on September 6 with dozens of artists from around the world. They included many performers who were pressured to boycott – such as Kamasi Washington, Pusha T, Soulwax, and Mura Masa – but instead created a space where Israeli fans of all backgrounds and opinions could set aside their differences and come together in peace.

Despite the incredible lineup and ultimate success of the event, we at Creative Community For Peace are deeply saddened that Lana Del Rey (and several others) decided to pull out of the festival and postpone their performances in Israel.

We recognize that Lana’s decision might have been made with the best of intentions. “It’s important to me to perform in both Palestine and Israel and treat all my fans equally,” she wrote on Twitter. “Unfortunately it hasn’t been possible to line up both visits with such short notice and therefore I’m postponing my appearance at the Meteor Festival until a time when I can schedule visits for both my Israeli and Palestinian fans, as well as hopefully other countries in the region.

Why is it difficult to perform for both Israelis and Palestinians?

Lana isn’t the first artist to try and fail to perform in both Israeli and Palestinian venues, nor to misunderstand the reason for the failure. In another high-profile incident in 2015, Ms. Lauryn Hill canceled her scheduled performance in Tel Aviv after she was unable to schedule a corresponding gig in Ramallah. “Setting up a performance in the Palestinian territory at the same time as our show in Israel proved to be a challenge,” she wrote on Facebook.

Like Lana Del Rey, who cited “short notice,” Lauryn Hill gave the impression that it was logistical or time constraints that prevented her from being able to set up both shows. However, apparently unbeknown to both artists, this is not the case. Even had they tried to set up both shows years in advance, they would have been unlikely to succeed, as the true culprit behind these failures is the boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) movement and the pressure its activists exert on Palestinian concert venues not to welcome artists who perform in Israel.

Read the rest on the Jerusalem Post: https://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Bridges-not-boycotts-567286