Mark Persaud

Mark D. Persaud
Born	New York
Occupation	Founder Ideal Capital Partners, Chairman Persaud Brothers
Spouse	Robyn Harvey Persaud
Children	Makenna Persaud and Connor Persaud
Parents	Dr. Ronald Persaud and Aileen Persaud

Mark D. Persaud (born September 27, 1966) is an American businessman and lawyer. He was President of Qwest Records from 1997–1999 and owner and Chairman of Persaud Brothers, Inc. from 1999 to present, and has worked in investment banking, real estate, law, technology, e-commerce, talent management, music and filmed production, marketing and advertising.

Early life and career

Mark Persaud was born in Albany, New York to Ronald, a Doctor of Psychiatry, and Aileen. He attended Westbury High School (Old Westbury, New York) and later Yale University graduating in 1988 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Urban Architecture. While at Yale he started the University chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi.^[1] Persaud went on to receive his joint degree, JD / MBA from Harvard Law School and Harvard School of Business in 1993.^[2] He was admitted to practice law in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Washington D.C.^{[citation needed]}.

Persaud Brothers, Inc.

Persaud, along with his two brothers Michael and Irwin, started the company Persaud Brothers, Inc.^[3] Since 1996 that specialized in reaching audiences resistant to traditional marketing approaches. Clients have included: Brand Jordan, Coca-Cola, HBO, Heineken, Kyocera, Maybelline, MGM Home Entertainment, Motorola, Nike, Ogilvy & Mather, Procter & Gamble, Sprite, Swatch, Tanqueray, Target, Timberland and Tommy Hilfiger.^[4]

Music

Persaud achieved more than 12 gold and / or platinum records as a creative executive. In 1996, he worked at Qwest Records^[5]/Warner Bros. Records where he worked in many genres of music, film, television and publishing. He was president of Qwest/Warner Bros Records,^[6] and during this time worked with artists including Quincy Jones, Ray Charles, Wu-Tang, Sean “P Diddy” Combs and producers The Neptunes. He left Qwest/Warner Bros Records to work as an entrepreneur full-time in late 1999.^[2]

Independent Consultant to Bertelsmann Music Group. Hired by Dr. Mark Wossner CEO of Bertelsmann Worldwide under a 13-month contract, while in graduate school. Consulted for Chairman/CEO of BMG Worldwide Michael Dornemann. Analyzed, and developed market entry strategies, operational improvement plans, and alternative marketing strategies for various BMG business businesses & Business start-ups. Selected activities included: launch of a multi-million dollar cable pay-per view venture; Analysis and planning of a proposed BMG video channel and the potential for filmed entertainment ventures. Created and implemented a joint music promotion with Reebok, Inc.

Entertainment and talent management

Persaud and his two brothers started an entertainment company under the Persaud Brothers brand. Its divisions comprise the film company Persaud@Palomar,^[7] a management company, Persaud Brothers/Star Group Management, and another division handling other entertainment ventures and media services^{[citation needed]}. The company has worked in movie, TV, commercial, video, and internet production. For several years Persaud@Palomar^{[8][verification needed]}, a production company, was a success – representing a wide range of directors including Theodore Witcher (director of Love Jones), Jeff Byrd (Director of Book of Love), and Kirk Wong. The company was a joint venture with Sigurjon "Joni" Sighvatsson.^{[9][verification needed]}

Persaud has also served as an advisor in talent and entertainment deals, managing directors, writers, producers, and artists^{[citation needed]}. He has structured commercials, endorsement deals, promotional tours, and strategic marketing deals with entertainment & media companies and product companies. Notable clients have included Budweiser for their popular Whassup? commercials, and also Miss Universe 1998. Persaud has packaged and sold TV series and movies.

Real estate and banking

Persaud worked in the real estate industry, where he worked with a New York City developer. His second job from 1988-1989 was as an investment banker with Salomon Brothers, Inc. He evaluated deals up to $300 million for merchant banking opportunities on the basis of value, risk, and return on investment^{[citation needed]}. He also structured equity and debt deals up to $160 million in convertible participating debt financing for various corporate and real estate ventures, as well as authoring the selling brochure for a $140 million deep discount bond financing of a regional shopping mall^{[citation needed]}.

He currently runs Ideal Capital Partners, LLC, a media investment fund.

Personal life

Persaud married his wife, Robyn Harvey (Entrepreneur) in 1999. They have two children, Makenna and Connor. Persaud also has two brothers, twins, Michael and Irwin.

Board seats

• Los Angeles Board of Zoos Commissioner - ^[10]
• National Black Child Development Institute
• Lil Angel Bunny (Charity bringing music and the arts to inner city kids)
• California Heritage Museum, Santa Monica

Executive producer credits

Film

• Sprung - Starring Rusty Cundiff^[11]
• Steel - Starring Shaquille O'Neil

Music

• Pray - Andrae Crouch
• Tamia - Tamia
• Tevin Campbell - Tevin Campbell

References

1. ^ http://www.kappaalphapsi-chi.com/lineage.php
2. ^ ^{a b} "3 Brothers Hip Hop Up The Marketing Ladder". Daily News (New York). August 12, 1996. http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/money/1996/08/12/1996-08-12_3_brothers_hip_hop_up_the_ma.html. 
3. ^ Karen Hunter (Monday, August 12, 1996). "3 BROTHERS HIP HOP UP THE MARKETING LADDER". New York Daily News. http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/money/1996/08/12/1996-08-12_3_brothers_hip_hop_up_the_ma.html. 
4. ^ www.persaudbrothers.com
5. ^ Jet June 9, 1997 pg. 20
6. ^ Billboard August 28, 1999
7. ^ Elliot, Stuart (2000-07-21). "Venture Concentrating On Young Consumers". New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2000/07/21/business/the-media-business-advertising-addenda-venture-concentrating-on-young-consumers.html?pagewanted=1. Retrieved May 12, 2010. 
8. ^ Variety, "Prod'n house Palomar, marketer Persaud pact" June 13, 2000
9. ^ Adweek, July 10, 2000
10. ^ Council File: 05-0360, LA City Clerk
11. ^ Mark D. Persaud @ ARTISTdirect.com

External links

• http://www.persaudbrothers.com

Persondata
Name	Persaud, Mark
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	September 27, 1966
Place of birth	New York
Date of death
Place of death