MFO NEWS
January 13, 2008
Media Services, a leading entertainment accounting, payroll, and software provider, today announced the acquisition of CrewStar, Inc., a production crew payroll, search and booking company in Boston, Massachusetts. The acquisition is part of Media Services’ strategy to expand into complementary services and markets that will address the unique needs of clients.
“The acquisition of CrewStar enables us to better serve our clients who are looking to save money and time by outsourcing their freelance production crews and equipment,” says Greg Pickert, CEO and president of Media Services. “Crew resourcing represents a significant opportunity for additional growth for Media Services, and we now have the management team and expertise to more aggressively pursue that opportunity.”
CrewStar, Inc. provides crew and talent payroll, crew search and booking, and staff placement services to the visual communications industry, including clients in corporate media departments, video and film productions, and events, internet, and multimedia production companies.
“We are very excited about working with Media Services and have every confidence that our clients will continue to receive the outstanding level of service that CrewStar has delivered since 1994,” adds CrewStar President Lily Maiella. “Now, clients will also have access to a comprehensive set of new production administrative tools. And, we’re looking forward to the growth that this affiliation will bring, especially in the areas of payroll services for the now robust film and commercial production industry in Massachusetts.”
In addition to crew resourcing, the acquisition will enable Media Services to gain a stronger foothold in the New England region with a fully staffed regional office.
“Media Services’ investment in Massachusetts through this acquisition is another vote of confidence in the future of our state as the New England center for film, television and digital media production,” explains Massachusetts Film Office Executive Director Nick Paleologos.
As part of the acquisition, CrewStar management and employees will remain on staff, providing a seamless transition for CrewStar’s customer base. Joe Maiella, CrewStar senior vice president of sales and marketing, will assume the same role and be responsible for business development for Media Services.
“Media Services has operated under the same ownership for 30 years and shares our same vision and commitment to client service,” Maiella says. “I’m looking forward to working with Media Services to ensure that vision is realized for our existing and future clients.”
About Media Services and Showbiz Software Stores
Media Services has been one of the entertainment industry’s leading accounting, payroll and software companies since 1978, serving feature, television, commercial, corporate and Internet productions world-wide as well as music video and residual clients. Media Services is headquartered in Los Angeles with offices in New York, Boston, and Toronto. The company is committed to driving the industry through constant innovation by offering best-in-class software solutions through its product division, Showbiz Software. In addition to its proprietary production accounting, payroll, budgeting, scheduling and time management software, the company offers a wide range of other entertainment industry software, books, tapes and supplies through its Showbiz Software Stores in West Los Angeles and New York as well as online, at www.showbizsoftware.com.