People

Pras Michel
Principal

Founder of Elitist Media & Executive Producer of the World Music Awards.

With a double major in philosophy and psychology from Rutgers and Yale University, Prakazrel Michel, known to his public as Pras, could have traveled in countless directions. But Pras was destined for music stardom. In the mid 1990’s Pras, Lead the Fugees to their huge 1996 crossover success The Score, after which experiencing multi-platinum, international success and recognition worldwide. To date the Fugees retains title of best-ever selling hip-hop group with sales reaching over 30 Million albums.

In a major branding initiative kicking off Pras (through Elitist Media) will offer licensing consultation. The Grammy winner’s team is pursuing deals with suppliers and retailers in professional and consumer audio; IPTV; coffee-table and how-to book publishing; clothing and accessories; grooming; home decorating; and educational materials.

Pras is a recipient of many global awards including 2 Grammy’s and multiple Billboard and World Music Awards.

Jason Hines
Co-Founder, Chief Executive Officer

Jason Hines, CEO of Elitist Media & Assistant Executive Producer of the World Music Awards. After attending Hampton University in 1991, Mr. Hines worked in various aspects of the entertainment business including marketing for animation/live action powerhouse Nickelodeon Movies which boasted gross receipts (roughly) in excess of $500m domestically in 2002. Jason has worked in talent and A&R as well as radio promotions and has been an instrumental team member for music industry giant Sony Music.

During his business strategy engagement at MTV Base Africa, Jason was responsible for developing marketing initiatives alongside mandates from the Senior Executive Vice President and to synergize all marketing products and programs for this leading television network. Instrumental in developing value added initiatives with sponsors and partners in a virtual space as well as on the ground. Teams developed and implemented highly effective collateral tools to maximize the brand. Orchestrated strategic marketing relationships with OEM’s such as Nokia, Coca-Cola and Motorola. Coordinated simultaneous promotional campaigns including case studies, direct marketing, radio and print buys.

Michael LaPorte
Principal

Co-Founder and CEO of VBN.tv, Inc., Michael LaPorte brings over 15 years of experience in the product marketing, product manufacturing, distribution, e-commerce and information technologies industries, including 13 years of marketing and sales management leadership and success.

His first position was (President/Co-Founder) of ArtWorx, a marketing/media company, specializing in brand development, packaging and POS design for the ad-specialty markets. In 1991 Michael jointly ran pperations (VP Operations) for the Hotel Group, a company focused on purchasing distressed and mismanaged hotel properties. Michael was responsible for property turn-around including renovations of all facility sectors: remodeling of lobby, rooms, restaurants, implementation of front & back office systems and facility personnel. In 1993 Michael founded Micro Distributors, a specialty beverage company, servicing the hospitality and restaurant industry. He quickly grew this company into a multi million dollar venture in the first 18 months.

After selling Micro Distributors, Michael turned to healthcare. Here he focused on information technology in the healthcare sector holding a diversity of key positions with leading HIS vendors including: National Health, (Director of IVR Technology); Cerner, (Managing Director of e-Health Solutions); IntelliClaim (VP of Marketing and Sales –web-based claims editing) and ChartOne, (Area VP of Sales – Electronic Health Records).

In each position he brought his expertise and entrepreneurial prowess from previous roles and combined it with his knowledge of Revenue Cycle models, e-Health solutions and e-commerce, producing consistent highly effective, measurable results.

Brent Catlin
Co-Founder, Chief Operations Officer

Co-Founder and COO of VBN.tv, Brent Catlin brings 29 years of operations, sales and marketing experience. He is not only a proven self-starter, but is also highly skilled in the art of negotiations with high-level executives, and has excelled year-after-year in sales and public relations and has extensive business plan management and problem solving experience.

He has received top recognition awards from every organization he has worked with. Mr. Catlin has served as Regional Vice President, traveled and worked internationally, has maintained top 5% status with numerous organizations and has been involved with 7 merger/buyout situations. Mr. Catlin’s proven strength in operational management has been demonstrated consistently from Lanier Worldwide, where he successfully grew the business 1000%, while managing first line responsibility for sales, service and administrative units, to Philips Corporation where as VP of the West he managed all Channel/Dealer relationships including the coordination, delivery, support and implementation of business plans, marketing programs and dealer training.

Mr. Catlin’s history also includes key positions with Harris Corporation, Med Data Systems, SunGard, QuadraMed, eWebCoding and ChartOne, Inc.

Travis Vocino
Chief Technology Officer

Travis Vocino brings a wealth of knowledge in information architecture and human-computer interface design. Travis’ experience includes founding his company in 2004, a technology firm specializing in new media businesses and film. He conceptualized and developed both traditional media properties like independent films, television, and web properties as well as entertainment properties that seamlessly integrate traditional media, new media, and physical world marketing.

Under Travis’ direction, the company’s accomplishments include developing a streamlined process for complete digital processing, as well as developing the first geographically indexed travel site.

As a dedicated artist, designer, new media scientist and technologist, he enjoys creating simple, attractive and usable web properties. He works closely with client technologists for smooth, seamless integration with Platinum Brand’s IPTV network channels and internet marketing strategies.

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