Entrepreneur, Social Capitalist, Financier
Greater Los Angeles Area
- Current
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- Chief Social Capitalist at Imagiant Ventures Inc.
- Advisory at Ironpond China/Hollywood Film Fund
- AX Awards Advisory Committee at AZN Asian Excellence Awards
- CEO at HPI Emblem Inc.
- Executive Producer at YOURS TRULY, MISS CHINATOWN - feature film documentary
- Owner at www.reelplay.com
- Advisory Board at Beijing Eastar Digital Corp. (Xing Xing)
- Founder/Chairman of the Board at Asian Professional Exchange (APEX)
- Past
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- Chairman - Technology Committee at Promotional Products Association International
- International Board of Advisors at Loyola Marymount Center for Asian Business
- Partner at Kingstone Partners
- Advisory Board at RottenTomatoes.com [acquired by IGN/Fox Interactive Media ]
- Co-Founder & President at Reelplay.com Inc.
- Managing Director at Change Associates/Futurethink Consulting Group
- Visiting Professor - Executive MBA Program at Golden Gate University / Wuxi University Joint MBA Program
- Assistant Vice President - Premier Banking Group at Wells Fargo Bank
- Education
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- University of Southern California - Marshall School of Business
- Recommended
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27 people have recommended Stephen - Connections
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500+
connections
- Industry
- Investment Banking
- Websites
Stephen Liu’s Summary
- A fifteen year career of creating and building enterprises that make a difference. Successful industry experience in entertainment, technology, banking and management consulting
- Previously, spent 3 years in film and television distribution where he founded and was chief executive of a Forbes Top 200 B2B company called Reelplay.com -- a digital marketplace connecting about 45,000 producers, distributors and buyers from all over the world. Grew the company to 2 to 30 people and was responsible for raising close to $6M in venture capital from a number of Silicon Valley and Hollywood heavyweights including Softbank and Biondi's WaterView.
- Also has become a fairly active commentator on technology, media and entertainment. Has spoke at such events as Red Herring on Hollywood, Internet Content West, Broadcast Worldwide, IFP, eMediatainment World, Digital Media Wire, CalTech/MIT Enterprise Forum and the Softbank Venture Forum.
- Prior to Reelplay, served as a Managing Director of a strategy consultancy called Change Associates/Futurethink that advised senior executives from corporate giants DaimlerChrsyler and Xerox, to media and entertainment nonprofits such as Marketplace Radio and the USC School of Cinema/Television.
- Founded and is Chairman of the Asian Professional Exchange (www.apex.org), which is one of the largest community service and professional development 501c3 membership organizations in the United States with close to 5000 members.
- Community involvement spans a wide range of activities, past and present, including the Loyola Marymount Center for Asian Business, Junior Achievement Advisory Board, LA Asian Pacific Film Video Festival, Golden Gate University Center for East/West Entrepreneurial Studies Board, East West Players NTC. Also a member of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, Interactive Division.
- MBA from the UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, based in Los Angeles
Stephen Liu’s Specialties:
Able to connect people, companies, ideas and capital together. On a project basis, I help companies with venture financing, general strategic work and outsourced business development.
Stephen Liu’s Experience
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Chief Social Capitalist
Imagiant Ventures Inc.
(Privately Held; Internet industry)
2007 — Present (1 year)
Adventures in social media...
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Advisory
Ironpond China/Hollywood Film Fund
(Entertainment industry)
2007 — Present (1 year)
An investment fund co-managed with End Game Entertainment focusing entertainment and digital media in China.
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AX Awards Advisory Committee
AZN Asian Excellence Awards
(Broadcast Media industry)
January 2007 — Present (1 year 8 months)
2008 AZN ASIAN EXCELLENCE AWARDS - April 23, 2008
www.axawards.com
The most prestigious awards show in HOLLYWOOD celebrating the Outstanding achievements of Asians and Asian Americans in film, television, and music. See it first before it is televised to over 100 million homes across the U.S. on E! Entertainment and AZN Television. Come LAUGH with the funniest comics, ROCK with the hottest performers,and CHEER for your favorite TV and movie stars. -
CEO
HPI Emblem Inc.
(Privately Held; 51-200 employees; Textiles industry)
August 2003 — Present (5 years 1 month)
A vertically integrated China-based emblem manufacturer with sales and customer service offices in Southern California serving the decorated apparel, fashion, promotional products, recognition and uniform markets. http://www.hpiemblem.com
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Executive Producer
YOURS TRULY, MISS CHINATOWN - feature film documentary
(Privately Held; 1-10 employees; Motion Pictures and Film industry)
January 2003 — Present (5 years 8 months)
Ever since the very first Miss Chinatown was crowned in 1958, the titleholder has been a highly recognizable Asian American icon at once admired and reviled. Set against the backdrop of glittering crowns, colorful dresses, and lively dance music in one of the oldest and biggest ethnic pageants in the United States, "Yours Truly, Miss Chinatown" features the intimate stories of some unforgettable young women who vie for the title Miss Los Angeles Chinatown, while struggling to define themselves in two cultures with different values and expectations. The crown is a link to the past, while the women's lives are a sign of the changing times. http://www.yourstrulymisschinatown.com/
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Owner
www.reelplay.com
(Privately Held; 1-10 employees; Entertainment industry)
2002 — Present (6 years)
Owner of the website www.reelplay.com. Currently has very 50,000 registered users.
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Advisory Board
Beijing Eastar Digital Corp. (Xing Xing)
(Privately Held; 51-200 employees; Motion Pictures and Film industry)
July 1996 — Present (12 years 2 months)
A venture-backed Beijing-based digital animation company specializing in 3D and Flash animation for films, television and games. Xing Xing also develops a range of original digital entertainment content such as all CGI films, animated TV series and games together with its partners for the worldwide markets.
www.xing-xing.com -
Founder/Chairman of the Board
Asian Professional Exchange (APEX)
(Non-Profit; 1001-5000 employees; Civic & Social Organization industry)
February 1993 — Present (15 years 7 months)
The premier leadership and networking organization for Asian Pacific Americans in Southern California who have a strong commitment to excellence in professional development, community service and cultural awareness. http://www.apex.org
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Chairman - Technology Committee
Promotional Products Association International
(Non-Profit; 5001-10,000 employees; Marketing and Advertising industry)
January 2004 — January 2008 (4 years 1 month)
http://www.ppai.org/Leadership/Committees/CommitteeMemberInfo.asp?ID_Committee=15
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International Board of Advisors
Loyola Marymount Center for Asian Business
(Educational Institution; International Trade and Development industry)
January 2001 — 2007 (6 years)
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Partner
Kingstone Partners
(Privately Held; 1-10 employees; Investment Banking industry)
January 2004 — January 2005 (1 year 1 month)
http://www.kingstone-partners.com
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Advisory Board
RottenTomatoes.com [acquired by IGN/Fox Interactive Media ]
(Privately Held; 11-50 employees; Online Media industry)
January 2002 — July 2004 (2 years 7 months)
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/ was acquired by IGN Entertainment (now a unit Fox Interactive Media Inc.) in July 2004.
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Co-Founder & President
Reelplay.com Inc.
(Public Company; 11-50 employees; Entertainment industry)
March 1999 — July 2001 (2 years 5 months)
Founded one of the early streaming video-enabled B2B digital marketplaces catering to the global film and television distribution industry. Personally raised close to $6M in venture capital from a number of Silicon Valley and Hollywood heavyweights, including SOFTBANK Venture Capital and WaterView Advisors run by Frank Biondi, Jr. (former chief executive at Viacom, Universal Studios and HBO). Named by Forbes Magazine in July 2000 as one of the top 200 B2B global internet companies, Reelplay built an industry membership base of over 25,000 film/tv professionals representing 30 countries/territories worldwide.
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Managing Director
Change Associates/Futurethink Consulting Group
(Privately Held; 1-10 employees; Management Consulting industry)
June 1996 — February 1999 (2 years 9 months)
Clients included DaimlerChrysler, USC General Alumni Assn, MPR's Marketplace Productions, USC School of Cinema & TV, Xerox Corporation.
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Visiting Professor - Executive MBA Program
Golden Gate University / Wuxi University Joint MBA Program
(Educational Institution; Education Management industry)
October 1998 — November 1998 (2 months)
As part of a joint Executive MBA program between Golden Gate University and Wuxi University, taught the Marketing core class to Chinese executives in Wuxi, China.
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Assistant Vice President - Premier Banking Group
Wells Fargo Bank
(Public Company; 10,001 or more employees; (NYSE:WFC); Banking industry)
June 1990 — February 1996 (5 years 9 months)
Managed a portfolio of over $60M in assets. Started as a Banking Services Representative in college.
Stephen Liu’s Education
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University of Southern California - Marshall School of Business
MBA, Operations / Organizational Development, 1995 — 1998
- Activities and Societies:
- Elected Student Body Vice President
Additional Information
Stephen Liu’s Websites:
Stephen Liu’s Interests:
3D Animation, Cuban Cigars, Wi-Fi, Film/TV/Mobile Distribution, Wireless Content, Asian Pacific American Issues, Sensor Technology, Golf, Advertainment, P2P, Shanghai, Digital Media, Soccer, GETTING PEOPLE TOGETHER Something we created for New Year's: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VD6Qo8s2iQ0
Stephen Liu’s Groups:
The Entrepreneur's Organization (EO), asmallworld (ASW), FF Fraternity, Asian Professional Exchange (APEX), Drinks 'n Chatter (DnC), Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, PPAI
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USC Marshall School of Business -
Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO) -
Zeta Beta Tau -
Asian Pacific American Business (The Power of the APA Market)
Stephen Liu’s Honors:
* Boy Scouts Of America, “Distinguished Citizen Award” – San Gabriel Valley, 1999
* Transpacific Magazine/Goldsea, “Top 40 Asian American Professionals In The U.S.”, 1996
Stephen Liu’s Contact Settings
Interested In:
- new ventures
- expertise requests
- business deals
- reference requests
- getting back in touch
