New Media Advisory Board Named by Multimedia Platforms, LLC

FORT LAUDERDALE – Last week, Multimedia Platforms, LLC announced the formation of an advisory board which CEO and Chairman Bobby Blair insists will “redefine the way media is consumed by South Florida’s dynamic and influential LGBT community.”

The MMP Media Advisory Board includes an impressive array of business and community leaders from varied fields of profession and endeavor. “This extraordinary team of South Florida leaders, coming together to  work with our media company, will ensure our newspaper, magazine, web  sites and social media platforms provide the community and businesses  we all serve the very highest level of content delivery of news and  entertainment.

“It is also very exciting to undertake the process of creating new, innovative and groundbreaking media delivery concepts that will be the brainchild of the Media Advisory Board,” said Blair, who will serve as Board chairman, in addition to his ongoing duties as Publisher of GUY Magazine and the Florida Agenda newspaper, as well as the multiple Web platforms that deliver their content, “every day, in real time.”

“These ‘Influentials’—who have such an enormous daily impact on our community—are just the people we want to partner with to help us tell the stories of success and triumph that make Greater Fort Lauderdale and the rest of South Florida such an amazing place to live, work, and make our individual and collective successes a reality,” added Blair.

The members of the Media Advisory Board offered their thoughts upon the groundbreaking association of local stakeholders who are committed to promoting Greater Fort Lauderdale’s LGBT community to an international market, and to strengthening their own individual and collective goals.

Alan Beck, Publisher of FunMaps, praised the effort. “In my 21 years of publishing FunMaps, the idea of bringing community leaders together to recommend how media can best reach and serve the LGBT community with current media outlets and discuss new and innovative ideas, is unprecedented,” he said. “As new ideas bombard us constantly, the forum that Bobby Blair is creating will certainly make an impact of local, regional, and national proportions, and change the LGBT media.”

Paul Hugo, co-owner of The Manor Restaurant and Complex, said that he and fellow advisory board member Jason Tamanini, The Manor’s general manager (and co-chair of the Rainbow Business Coalition of Greater Fort Lauderdale [RBC]), “commend Multimedia Platforms for taking the media to the next level.” Hugo’s business partner and advisory board member Brett Tannenbaum added, “We offer all of our support and our help.” Gary Santis, board member, owner and promoter at Gary Santis Events, agreed.

Board member and award-winning author, producer, and screenwriter Richard Hack  offered that “This represents a chance for various local business leaders in Fort Lauderdale and Wilton Manors to join together to help shape and advance the way news is reported in our community. Hack, The New York Times bestselling author of “The Aviator,” added that, “In an age of faceless social networking and cyber bullying, the media in all its forums has a responsibility to impartially disseminate information on current events and political news as well entertainment venues. As a writer involved in the publishing industry for over three decades, I am honored to have this opportunity to participate.”

Said board member Kevin Hopper, Associate Publisher of Guy Magazine and the Florida Agenda, “The key to success is surrounding yourself with intelligent and inspiring people. I’m confident the board will provide Multimedia Platforms more insight into not only publishing better publications, but also building a stronger community.”

“I think it is very exciting for the Pride Center to be represented,” said Robert Boo, Executive Director of the Pride Center at Equality Park. “The current economic times require businesses and non-profits to work closely together so that we both thrive and continue to provide valuable services for the community.”
Reece Darham, RBC Co-Chair and Managing Director of Island City Health and Fitness, A Division of Steel Gym, effused, “It is an honor to be on such an exciting board of influential and talented individuals in putting Fort Lauderdale squarely on the map.”

“I’m extremely excited to be part of the media advisory board,” offered Krishan Manners, President and CEO of Wilton Manors Development Alliance. “I’ve worked closely with the staff—both sales and editorial—over the past two years, and have witnessed firsthand the difference a media partner can make in the community.”

“The benefits of this will not only benefit our local community, but it will embrace the LGBT community in remarkable ways,” said board member Dean Trantalis attorney-at-law, former Vice Mayor of Fort Lauderdale, and current candidate for Fort Lauderdale City Commission, District II.

“I am looking forward to working with Multimedia Platforms and giving advice from the not-for-profit side of our Fort Lauderdale community,” added Terry DeCarlo, Director of Development, Fundraising and Public Relations, for Broward County’s oldest and largest HIV/AIDS service organization, Broward House.

“These are critical times for the LGBT community in the United States, when the most basic issues of our equality remains a question mark,” noted Peter Jackson, board member and owner of Push Fitness, as well as a experienced publishing and marketing executive. “For this, and so many other reasons, it is vital that the gay media is strong to report on our issues, magnify injustices, and help galvanize support for our causes.”

Jackson Padgett, co-owner of Georgie’s Alibi and Bill’s Filling Station—along with his partner and fellow board member Mark Negrete—praised the advisory board’s goal of “positive growth,” and added, “We hope that we can bring support … to continue in that effort.”

“I am very pleased that Bobby Blair actually took the time to reach out to a girl’s bar,” observed Carol Moran, owner of new Moon Bar. “I am pleased to offer suggestions as to how to grow our LGBT community.”

Dale Madison, advisory board member and MMP Client Services Executive, said of Publisher Blair, “Bobby has always been there for the community, and it’s going to be a pleasure to serve with so many talented people.”

“I have watched Bobby over the years, and am so supportive and happy to be involved with his Media Board of Advisors and working to help our LGBT community to continue to grow,” offered Victor Zepka, owner of Boardwalk Bar and Beefcakes Grill.

Noted Keith Blackburn, President and CEO of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, “Any opportunity to bring so many influential stakeholders for the purpose of promoting business, tourism, and the growth of non-profits and community services is a win-win opportunity.