PalmStar Media Capital Expands its Film Finance Operations with Two Key Hires

PalmStar Media Capital has announced the hiring of Michael Bassick as Co-CEO and Dan Jahns as COO to expand its growing film finance business.  In addition to fund management and film related investment activities, PalmStar Media Capital has recently inked deals with two international film funds to provide project sourcing and investment advice and is in talks with several others to provide similar services.

“PalmStar is pleased to have Michael and Dan on board,” said Kevin Frakes, Co-CEO and Founder of PalmStar Media Capital.  “Michael brings to the firm a tremendous knowledge of film financing and outstanding fund raising capabilities and Dan provides a wealth of experience in corporate finance and sales with a proven ability to execute on business strategies.”

Bassick joined the firm in March 2011 and was previously Founder/CEO of Markedia Worldwide, a film and branded entertainment studio, and Managing Partner of MJB Ventures, a boutique film investment company..  He brings over 15 years of experience in film finance, media and marketing to PalmStar and has invested in the development, production, and distribution of numerous film projects over the past 6 years.   Bassick began his career as a banker and holds a B.S. in Management from Purdue University and is a graduate of Babson College’s entrepreneurial MBA program.

Jahns was previously COO of Fierce Entertainment, a film development, production and finance company located in West Hollywood.  He brings over 20 years of experience in sales and financial services with companies including Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Fidelity Research & Management and Reuters.  Jahns holds a B.A. in Economics and Japanese Studies from Bucknell University, an MA in International Business from the University of Pennsylvania’s Lauder Institute and an MBA from The Wharton School of Business.

PalmStar most recently collaborated with K5 International to Co-Finance two film projects; the Paul Walker starrer Vehicle 19 which completed production in South Africa in September and Bille August’s Night Train to Lisbon staring Jeremy Irons. The film, produced by Studio Hamburg Filmproduktion, is set to begin production later this year.