Creating a Billion Dollar Company: An Interview with VIZIO's CEO, William Wang

• PEOPLE
• by Privy Editor
• 5/14/2012

William Wang, founder and CEO of VIZIO, Inc., was born in Taiwan and moved to the US with his family at age 12. In 1986 he graduated from USC with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering and took a tech support role in a rapidly expanding computer monitor company. At the time, the PC business was growing exponentially and William quickly rose to the head of marketing and sales. Confident that he could build a better monitor, he left to start MAG Innovision and later, Princeton Graphic Systems. These companies became successful by introducing many industry firsts in the CRT (cathode-ray tube) and later LCD (liquid crystal display) monitor business, but became so saddled with operations and cash-flow problems that William decided to sell both companies.

Armed with knowledge of both the U.S. government’s mandate to convert to digital TV as well as the technical know-how behind making an HDTV, William saw enormous potential in the spending power of middle class consumers. With $600,000 borrowed from friends, family and a mortgaged house, William launched V, Inc. in 2002, later renaming it VIZIO, Inc., aiming to make expensive plasma and LCD technology affordable. By forming close partnerships with retailers, component suppliers and ODMs, along with an industry-leading operational efficiency, William was able to bring VIZIO’s products to Costco’s shelves by the second quarter of 2003. Four years later, millions of Americans would own VIZIO TVs and VIZIO would become America’s #1 HDTV brand.

Pelican Hill: Mediterranean Majesty on the California Coast

• TRAVEL
• by Privy Editor
• 4/30/2012

Privy membership certainly has its perks. Earlier this year, we were invited by the PR folks at Pelican Hill to stay at their ultra-luxurious resort. Laid out among acres of sprawling terraced landscapes with magnificient views of the Pacific Ocean, the Resort at Pelican Hill makes you feel as if you were somewhere in an Italian village with a view of the Mediterranean Sea.

As a late Autumn sun shepherds our journey toward a much anticipated destination, there emerges a thoroughly unique testament to a renowned Italian architect’s vision, in Newport Beach in Southern California. Situated on a 504-acre site that is one of the most serene and beautiful of coastal settings, where the azure embrace of the Pacific encounters uncrowded beaches and thousands of acres of vibrant coastal habitat, sits a masterwork unlike any other in America.

An Interview with Super Agent Young Beom Jeong

• PEOPLE
• by Privy Editor
• 4/25/2012

Young Beom Jeong is an accomplished talent agent who founded a global mega agency called United Asia Management. With ‘Hallyu’ or better known as the ‘Korean Wave’ becoming a significant factor in Asia’s entertainment market, six major agencies, which include KEYEAST, AM Entertainment, Star J Entertainment, SM Entertainment, YG Entertainment, and JYP Entertainment, were brought together by Young Beom Jeong to form UAM with the goal of supporting their artists to enter the global entertainment market. UAM is a super-agency that helps to push forward the careers of Korean artists to advance overseas while at the same time, seeks talented artists from other Asian countries to work in Korea. Most of the talent managed by the six agencies and members of UAM have successfully become a significant force in the Asian market and include popular artists such as AM Entertainment’s Jang Dong Kun; KEYEAST’s Bae Yong Joon, Kim Hyeon Jung, Choi Kang Hee, E Ji-ah; SM Entertainment’s TVXQ, Girls’ Generation, Super Junior; YG Entertainment’s Big Bang, 2NE1, Se7en and JYP Entertainment’s Rain, Wonder Girls and 2PM.

UAM is opening its doors to all artists Korean or non-Korean who are currently active or willing to enter the Asian entertainment market with a vision to go beyond the Korean Wave and create an ‘Asian Wave.’

Bringing The Brand to India: An Interview with Lalit Choudary

• PEOPLE
• by Privy Editor
• 4/12/2012

Lalit Choudary is a successful business entrepreneur in the luxury car business. He worked as an investment banker at Lehman Brothers for 8 years, based in Hong Kong for the most part. He relocated to India in 2006 to establish the India operations of the Bank. Lalit saw the opportunity for luxury cars and products in India and established Infinity Cars Private Limited in 2006 with the dealership of BMW in Mumbai and subsequently Madhya Pradesh State. In late 2009 Lalit Choudary initiated dialogue with Aston Martin with a view to bringing the brand to India.

Performance Cars, a division of Infinity Cars Pvt. Ltd., is the official dealership of Aston Martin in Mumbai. Founded in 2009 by Lalit, Performance Cars brings to India, for the first time, Aston Martin cars as well as having a presence in the yachting business. Performance Cars has established an internationally designed showroom along the lines of a ‘Jewellery Box’ in South Mumbai’s Tony Altamount Road at Kemp’s Corner.

Privy Supper Club in Los Angeles Featuring Master of Wine Jeannie Cho Lee

• SOCIETY+EVENTS
• by Privy Editor
• 3/19/2012

For our Privy Supper Club event, the second such affair in an ongoing array, we brought the world-renowned wine jetsetter Jeannie Cho Lee from Hong Kong to illustrate her extraordinary talents. She is one of the world’s leading experts in the art of pairing wine for the Asian palate. She is the first and only ethnic Asian to receive the extremely prestigious Master of Wine designation. In addition to being an award-winning author, wine critic, judge and educator, her stunning accomplishments include penning wine columns and articles in several premiere publications such as the Wine Spectator and Revue du Vin. She is also the Contributing Editor for Decanter UK, a columnist for Hong Kong’s South China Morning Post and China Business News. Receiving the impressive Vinitaly Award in 2009, her exemplary role of Master of Wine also extends to the Galaxy Macao Casino, and she serves as a consultant for Singapore Airlines as well. We are indeed very fortunate and certainly honored to have her vast knowledge and expertise present to highlight such a special evening.

Interview with Master of Wine Jeannie Cho Lee

• PEOPLE
• by Privy Editor
• 3/19/2012

Regarded as one of Asia's preeminent authorities on wine, Jeannie Cho Lee was the first Asian to be awarded the coveted title of Master of Wine from the prestigious Institute of Masters of Wine. Jeannie was born in Seoul, Korea but has resided in many diverse cultural cities around the world such as New York, London, Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur. Her interest in wine began at Oxford University where she spent her junior year before graduating with a double degree in government and sociology at Smith College. Jeannie is also the founder of the AsianPalate.com, which celebrates authentic Asian cuisine while pairing it with the elegance of wine. She has long been associated with luxury products around the world and has a vast network of contacts in the food and wine industry. With her expert knowledge, Jeannie has been much sought after and consulted for top hospitality companies. When she is not busy advising on wine and cuisine, you might find her playing golf and writing fiction.

Privy Spring Fling with a Heart at Thompson Hotel (Above Beverly Hills)

• SOCIETY+EVENTS
• by Privy Editor
• 3/12/2012

Privy held the evocative and heart-warming event on the breath-taking rooftop of the Thompson Hotel ABH (Above Beverly Hills) on Saturday, March 3rd. The affair encompassed a pair of noteworthy occasions. The first was celebrating the birthdays of two Privy members, Linda Kim (Privy.net) and Carl Choi (Catch Adventures). Linda and Carl made a wonderful and heartfelt request, that instead of bringing gifts they suggested that all attendees make a donation to support and fund Janet Liang’s medical bills. This included getting swabbed by A3M (Asians for Miracle Marrow Matches) in order to register and be placed into the National Bone Marrow database.

Privy members and guests gathered at ABH, located in the heart of Beverly Hills, just two miles away from Rodeo Drive. Perched atop one of LA’s trendiest hotels, ABH at the Thompson is a sleek, two-level rooftop lounge whose ultra-sophisticated atmosphere attracts the rich, the beautiful, and those looking for breathtaking panoramic views of the city, while feasting their eyes on its enthralling Swarovski crystal-encrusted pool. Cool night breezes along with cozy radiant heaters serve to warm up the party just as Privy members and guests begin to arrive. On the way in, they participated in the bone-marrow swab at the entrance, along with providing their generous donations, and graciously paraded an orange embroidered ribbon to wear during the event. The orange ribbon represents the awareness and support symbol of Leukemia.

Member Interview - Lee Jung Jin

• PEOPLE
• by Privy Editor
• 2/13/2012

Lee Jung Jin started out his career as a fashion model, first debuting with Modeline in 1997 before being discovered by Star J Entertainment CEO, Young Beom Jeong. His popularity grew as part of the ever expanding popularity of Korean dramas in the Korean Wave or ‘Hallyu” across Asia. Lee Jung Jin had to put his acting career on hold for a short period as he completed his mandatory conscription with the South Korean military. After his service, he quickly got back into acting and has been gaining popularity ever since. He has starred in both movies and popular television dramas such as "Love Story in Harvard."

His latest projects includes starring opposite another wildly popular Korean superstar, Rain, in the South Korean action television series, The Fugitive: Plan B where Lee Jung Jin plays a police detective hot on the trail of Rain’s character.

Privy’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve 2012 at Lexington Social House

• SOCIETY+EVENTS
• by Privy Editor
• 1/11/2012

Celebrating the advent of the New Year is nothing if not sentimental in the extreme. The echoes of the past year vie for just as much attention as the hopes and dreams of the new, and 2011 was indeed a very blessed year for everyone at Privy, with numerous and quite memorable events to ponder with a great deal of nostalgia. It was with great pleasure and joyous anticipation that we were fortunate enough to begin honoring the upcoming year with so many wonderful members and guests.

While Lady Gaga launched the dropping of the ball in New York’s Times Square, and other celebrities were partying like rock stars in Sin City, we decided to hold Privy’s New Year’s Eve festivities in Los Angeles, in the entertainment capital of the world – Hollywood.

Member Interview - Dong Chul Bae

• PEOPLE
• by Privy Editor
• 11/11/2011

As the CEO and President of L&S Holdings, Dong Chul Bae has a penchant for entrepreneurship. Growing up, both his father and grandfather were business owners which set a precedent for him to start his own business. After graduating with an MBA at the prestigious Clark University in Massachusetts, Dong Chul Bae returned to Korea and was commissioned into the Korean military where he served as a liaison between Korean and U.S. Forces. It was during this period, with a strong interest in the roles of win-win situations, Dong Chul Bae reestablished his goal as a consultant. After the military, he worked various industries ranging from consulting to the tourists and leisure markets and even establishing a design firm. While working in these diverse fields, he had always kept his desire to lead the markets while foreseeing changes in society and business infrastructure.

With an eye for the future, he is the author of “2020 Wealth War in Asia,” an informative book that forecasts Asia and the world marketplace in the coming decade. His intuitive foresight earned him a nomination by Japan Times as one of the Top 100 Next-Era CEOs. With business demands booming, Dong Chul Bae shuttles back and forth between Japan and Korea frequently and rarely stops to catch a breath.