Haim Saban: Celebs Rumors

Shirley Halperin Executive Editor, MusicWhen Israeli singer Mergui took the stage at the Sun Rose in Los Angeles on Thursday night, it was clear the 22-year-old has some big-time backers in his corner. Chief among them: Haim Saban, the veteran businessman, philanthropist, owner of the Power Rangers IP and label head, who launched Saban Music Group in 2019, and was seated front and center (doubly-masked and wearing surgical gloves) to cheer on his latest signing.

More than 700 Hollywood figures, including Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, and Jamie Lee Curtis, have signed an open letter condemning Hamas and supporting Israel.

Making its first upfronts pitch to advertisers as a merged company, TelevisaUnivision delivered a message of balanced strategy to ad buyers in an hour-long presentation at New York’s Javits Center.

Sasha Urban editorThe Academy Museum of Motion Pictures revealed the first round of exhibits for its 2022-2023 season on Monday, including a tribute to Francis Ford Coppola’s 1972 film “The Godfather” and its first permanent exhibit, “Hollywoodland,” dedicated to the founders of Hollywood.Other newly announced additions to the museum include “Regeneration: Black Cinema 1898-1971,” a tribute to French filmmaker Agnès Varda and spaces dedicated to “Boyz n the Hood” (1991), “Casablanca” (1942) and the collaborations of production designer Sarah Greenwood and set decorator Katie Spencer.“The history of film is endlessly rich and varied, which is why we envisioned the exhibitions of the Academy Museum as a continually evolving set of installations and virtual content,” said Bill Kramer, director and president of the Academy Museum. “We are delighted to present a new round of stories, explorations, moving images, props, and other objects that explore the many facets of moviemaking – from the founding of Hollywood to present day.” When the Academy Museum opened in September, it included exhibitions on Spike Lee, Hayao Miyazaki and Pedro Almodóvar, but the museum faced criticism from donors and Academy members for neglecting to include explicit mention of the Jewish founders of the Hollywood studio system.“The Jewish contributions to the film industry, from its founding to today, should be highlighted,” Haim Saban, who donated $50 million to the Academy museum alongside his wife, Cheryl, told Rolling Stone in January.

EXCLUSIVE: Saban Films is continuing to expand its international footprint, having recently inked a deal with distribution partners in Switzerland and Benelux. The L.A.-based company has signed with WW Entertainment in Benelux (Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg) and Ascot Elite in Switzerland, which it will add to deals it already has in place in the UK and Ireland (Altitude), Germany and Austria (Splendid), France (ACE Entertainment), Spain (Key2Media), Scandinavia (Mis.Label) and Australia and New Zealand (Defiant Screen Entertainment).

Gene Maddaus Senior Media WriterAmy Poehler and Maya Rudolph hosted a “grassroots” fundraiser on Monday, along with Kamala Harris and Hillary Clinton, that raised more than $6 million for the Democratic ticket.Separately, billionaire Haim Saban hosted a more intimate fundraiser with Joe Biden, priced at $500,000 per person. That event — also held virtually — raised $4.5 million.The grassroots fundraiser featured some discussion of the California wildfires and the Affordable Care Act.

Ted Johnson A fundraiser for Joe Biden organized by Haim Saban raised $4.5 million on Monday, marking the media mogul’s first event for the 2020 presidential race.Saban and Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) cohosted the event, with 22 people in the crowd, according to a pool report.

Gene Maddaus Senior Media WriterHaim Saban, the media billionaire who is a fixture in Democratic Party fundraising, is organizing a $500,000-per-person fundraiser for Joe Biden next Monday.Saban has long said he is “a one-issue guy, and my issue is Israel.” In a statement supporting Biden, Saban said the former vice president will “ensure that the strong, bipartisan alliance between the U.S. and Israel remains unshakeable.”“This alliance is vital to our American interests, something Joe articulated best when he said: ‘If there were not an Israel, we would have to invent one to make sure our interests were preserved,'” Saban said.

Haim Saban, chairman and CEO of Saban Capital Group LLC and spearheaded by CEO Latin music industry veteran Gustavo Lopez."I am thrilled about this new venture. Innovation requires collaboration, and this partnership amplifies our chances for success on a global scale," Saban said about the announcement.Added Jody Gerson, chairman and CEO of UMPG:"We are excited to be partnering with Haim Saban and Gustavo Lopez and Saban Music to create opportunities for their artists and songwriters.