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Today, CREEM Entertainment announces that former VICE publisher John Martin has joined as CEO, leading a wave of new hires at the legendary company. Martin will work alongside JJ Kramer, Chairman of CREEM Entertainment and son of the magazine’s co-founder & publisher Barry Kramer, as well as original editor & one of the first women to work in rock journalism, Jaan Uhelszki. BMG Cypress Ascendant Holdings have also come on as investors in CREEM Entertainment.
"Creem was always the most iconic American brand of my rock n roll infused memories,'' Martin said. “After seeing the documentary and meeting JJ, I knew there was a huge opportunity to bring the company back for the modern era. In 2022 the pendulum is swinging and the vibe shift is real: young people and music fans of all ages want some cathartic release, to laugh and have fun again, and not take themselves too seriously. That's Creem, and that's rock n roll - a cruel temptress I found impossible to resist."
Martin spent 18 years in senior leadership at VICE Media, starting in sales and events, later becoming ASME and Ad Age A-List award-winning publisher of VICE Magazine. While at Vice, he also co-founded MUNCHIES, a food & drink joint venture with Bertelsmann subsidiary FremantleMedia.
Other new hires include Amy Schriefer, who joins CREEM as VP of Marketing, with more than 15 years of creative leadership at VICE, NPR Music and Smithsonian Folkways, and Fred Pessaro as VP of Content, with over a decade of editorial & production experience, including as editor-in-chief for VICE’s Noisey, roles at Townsquare Media, Revolver and BrooklynVegan, as well as contributions to The New York Times, SiriusXM, MTV, and many more.
Dan Morrissey joins as Executive Editor after 20 years at Entertainment Weeklyand Maria Sherman as Senior Editor, following her work at NPR, Rolling Stone, Pitchfork, BuzzFeed, Jezebel, Entertainment Weekly, ELLE and her critically acclaimed book, LARGER THAN LIFE: A History of Boy Bands. Photography Director Matt Salacuse has photographed everyone from Jay Z to Dimebag Darrell over the last 20 years including contributions at Esquire, XXL and The Fader and Editor at Large Dave Carnie is the former editor-in-chief of skateboarding magazine Big Brother, having also worked with Jackass, ESPNand Penthouse.
These hires follow the release of the critically-acclaimed 2020 documentary Creem: America's Only Rock 'N' Roll Magazine, which earned praise everywhere from New York Times, Rolling Stone, CBS This Morning, Variety & beyond.
Founded in 1969's post-riot Detroit, CREEM grew from underground paper to national powerhouse – an essential voice in music journalism for 20 years, and a touchstone for multiple generations. It reflected and shaped the culture, cultivated some of the most legendary writing talent of the era, provided a then-unprecedented platform for female music critics and more. Future plans for CREEM will be announced soon.
About CREEM Entertainment:
CREEM Entertainment is the modern-day devil spawn of Detroit's legendary CREEM Magazine. During its initial twenty-year run, CREEM launched the careers of countless iconic music journalists and bands, while never hesitating to lampoon those who took themselves too seriously. Today's CREEM, powered by the next generation of cage-rattling truth tellers and provocateurs, will deliver the best in editorial, original programming, merchandise, subscription products, and experiences to rock 'n' roll fans of all ages. Boy Howdy, indeed!
About BMG Cypress Ascendant Holdings:
BMG Cypress Ascendant Holdings invests in entrepreneurs who are building the next great entertainment companies and brands. Founded as a partnership between Grammy-nominated music manager Tautua Reed and former NBC, IBM, and Warner Music senior executive Paul Coyne, with Cypress Ascendant, an investment fund led by businessman Bill Trzos, the firm provides entrepreneurs and startups with access to an existing network of innovative partnerships and strategic relationships. BMG Cypress Ascendant Holdings has offices in Los Angeles, San Diego, and Hawaii.
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