|
John Zaring: President & CEO While in college, John Zaring interned in the publicity department of the Philadelphia Phillies organization, whetting his appetite for the sports and entertainment business. After graduating from Nova Southeastern University, John moved to Los Angeles. In 1985, as a publicist at Wilkinson & Associates, he represented many high-profile television actors including William Devane, Charlene Tilton, Katherine Ross, Jack Coleman and Shannen Doherty. While there, John got his first taste of celebrity events by booking talent for ski, tennis and golf fundraisers. In 1988, John moved to the talent management firm Film Associates, Inc., as Vice President. While there, he counted Dynasty stars Jack Coleman and Emma Samms, and Emmy-nominated Richard Marcus (St. Elsewhere), among his dozen clients. For Samms' charity, the Starlight Foundation, John began producing celebrity events. In 1992, he struck out on his own, building upon a client list that included Coleman, Richard Karn (Home Improvement) and Nicole Eggert (Baywatch). In 1993, Zaring partnered with casting director Bianca Cioffi to form Zaring Cioffi Entertainment, and added Casey Sander (Grace Under Fire), Kenneth Kimmins (Coach), Charlie Robinson (Love & War) and Emmy winner Gordon Clapp (NYPD Blue) to their roster of celebrity clients. With the creation of a celebrity golf event for Karn, the firm began the transition from talent representation to event production. John has also dabbled in filmmaking. He has produced four films, most recently in 2001, with the feature Pursuit of Happiness, a romantic comedy that stars Frank Whaley, Annabeth Gish, Amy Jo Johnson and Jean Stapleton, which he also wrote. The Martindale Group production was released in theatres during the summer of 2002 and can currently be found on The Movie Channel and Showtime. | 