Executive Team
Marvin Peart
Founder/CEO
Marvin Peart is currently the Founder and CEO of WonderHill Studios, a movie and television production and distribution company. Prior to this new role, Marvin Peart, co-founded 101 Studios Company, home to the hit television shows “Yellowstone” starring Kevin Costner, “1923” starring Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren, “Tulsa King” starring Sylvestor Stallone, and “Mayor of Kingston” starring Jeremy Renner.
Marvin Peart began his path in the music business at Zomba Music Publishing where he learned the intricacies of the music business. His ability to recognize and develop music and talent quickly propelled him to a series of rapid career advancements that led to Manager of Creative Services at Zomba. He then moved onto Sony Music as Sr. Manager of A&R/Epic Records. At Sony, Marvin helped to develop several successful recording artists such as Ginuwine, Macy Gray, Ruff Endz, Mandy Moore, and Lauren Hill. His credits also include discovering and signing B2K and 3LW. With a proven inherit set of skills that leaned towards creativity, management, and leadership, he achieved the role of Executive Vice President/Head of A&R for Sony Music Entertainment’s Urban Music Division which encompassed Epic and Columbia Records. Both NY and LA offices fell under his purview in this new role, and he oversaw projects from some of the world’s most influential recording artists, such as Michael Jackson, Mariah Carey, Beyonce Knowles, Destiny’s Child, Jennifer Lopez and many others. Marvin has also co-produced several motion picture soundtracks including BarberShop, Blue Streak and You Got Served. Through these projects, Marvin began working more closely with motion picture directors and studios which led him to Flavor Unit Television and Film as General Manager, (a Queen Latifah Company). During his tenure at Flavor Unit, he managed television and film projects as well as raising equity and creating distribution outlets for such projects like “The Perfect Holiday” starring Queen Latifah, Terrence Howard, Morris Chestnut, Gabriel Union and Kat Williams.
After his departure from Flavor Unit, he co-founded Marro Media Company, a music, film, and television production company where signed recording artist Frankee, whose debut album remained at #1 in the United Kingdom for three weeks and charted in the top ten in several European countries. He was also a producer and financier of the successful animated feature “Escape from Planet Earth,” which grossed over $100M in worldwide box office. He went on to produce “Life on the Line” starring John Travolta and the successful reality TV show, “Mob Wives.” He followed up on this success with the box office-topping live action feature family comedy, “The War with Grandpa” starring Robert De Niro and Christopher Walken. “The War with Grandpa” debuted at #1, over-indexed on home entertainment, and made over $40M at box office during a lockdown, despite the year-and-a-half-long Covid-19 pandemic.
In other accomplishments, Marvin assembled and led a group of financiers in the $389M bid for the Weinstein Company assets that relaunched Spyglass Media Group. He also sourced and structured a key early round investment in 101 Studios Company and remains as a shareholder.
Marvin graduated with B.S. in Marketing Management and a minor in Law from Bentley University in Waltham, MA and is currently pursuing a masters in finance. Marvin has also participated in several music industry development programs for young aspiring musicians, including guest judging high school talent competitions in several U.S. cities.
Laurent Ouaknine
President of Distribution
Laurent Ouaknine is an industry leading executive with over 25 years of experience as a distribution and film buying professional.
With a track record for excellence, Laurent has shepherded the releases of critically acclaimed and commercial blockbuster hits generating over $2.5 Billion in domestic box office garnering over 70 Academy Awards nominations and 18 Academy Awards with titles including Django Unchained, The King's Speech, Silver Linings Playbook, Inglourious Basterds, Lion, Wind River, and The Artist, to name a few.
Prior to joining 101 STUDIOS as President of Distribution in 2018, Mr. Ouaknine was President of Distribution for The Weinstein Company which he had joined in 2006 and was previously a film buyer for Loews Cineplex Entertainment.
Mr. Ouaknine was honored by Box Office Magazine in 2013 being amongst the Top 40 under 40 for his accomplishments.
Born In Canada, Laurent began his career in 1995 as a Marketing and Media Relations assistant at Alliance Atlantis Vivafilm where he moved up the ranks to sales director before relocating to Los Angeles in 2002 to join Loews Cineplex.
With over two decades of experience in both film distribution and exhibition, Laurent's accomplishments range from marketing and distribution of limited art film, to overseeing wide releases concurrently in the marketplace.
Undergraduate studies in Business Administration with a concentration in Sales, Marketing and Graphic Design,
Concordia University, Montreal, Canada
Shaun Williams
Chief Financial Officer
Over the past two decades, Mr. Williams has held a variety of senior leadership roles in the entertainment and media industry encompassing strategic planning, finance, production, distribution, and operations. He currently serves as the CFO at WonderHill Studios, where he is responsible for overseeing all financial planning, accounting and business analysis and other daily operational functions including production finance, global tax incentives, human resources, IT and facilities.
Prior to joining WonderHill Studios, Mr. Williams served as the CFO at Solstice Studios, an independent movie production, finance and distribution company. At Solstice Mr. Williams was responsible for all strategic planning and business development, managed the overall Line of Credit and project-specific credit lines, developed financial and tax strategies and implemented day to day finance systems to support the company's strategic direction. In addition, Mr. Williams provided strategic direction and operational guidance to every division of Solstice including production, theatrical distribution, marketing and international sales.
Prior to joining Solstice, Mr. Williams served as CFO at Studio 8, where he was a member of the executive team that created the business plan used to successfully raise $250MM in equity capital and close a $500MM credit facility for a multi-year film slate. Mr. Williams led the day-to-day management of the finance team which included deal analysis, preparation and evaluation of long range and business plans, and operating and capital budgets.
Mr. Williams also served as the SVP Finance at GK Films/FilmDistrict, where he drove the corporate strategic planning process and managed all financial reporting and projections, including annual operating budgets, financial green light analyses, and film ultimates. At GK Films/FilmDistrict, Mr. Williams set up financial and administrative systems and implemented policies and procedures to optimize management of the company’s financial and people resources.
Mr. Williams previously held executive positions at BET Networks, Twentieth Century Fox and Sony Pictures. He received an MBA from The Anderson School of Management at UCLA and a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin.
Rosa Peart
Chief of Staff and VP of Film/TV and Music
Rosa Morris will have a dual role as Chief of Staff and Vice President of Film/TV and Music for WonderHill Studios.
Rosa Morris started her career in the entertainment business as a creative services and copyright licensing and administration executive at Zomba Music Publishing. She then moved onto Sony Music Entertainment where she handled licensing, research and contract administration for Sony Music Special Products. From there she went on to BMG Entertainment’s business affairs department where she licensed multi-platinum selling artist albums for RCA Records and the J Records Label. While working BMG, she studied Business Administration at Berkely College.
She became VP Creative/Admin at Cory Rooney Publishing, a joint venture with Sony/ATV. There she collaborated with newly signed writers and coordinated song placements with major record labels for top selling artists along with licensing and administration. Cory Rooney has written and produced classic hit songs for Mariah Carey, Destiny’s Child, Michael Jackson, Mark Anthony, Mark, Mary J Blije, and JLo amongst many more.
Before starting her professional career in the music industry, Rosa studied at The Lee Strausberg Theatre Institute and NY School of Film of TV only to discover her calling was meant to be behind the camera and not in front. Using that guiding principle led by her entrepreneurial spirit which would embrace her love of storytelling and music, she co-founded Marro Media Co., a music, film, and television production company. Her first artist signing was “Frankee”. Frankee’s first single F.U.R.B. debuted at #1 on the UK chart and held that position for several weeks. F.U.R.B. also charted top ten in several European Countries. Under her Marro Media banner, Rosa also served as business manager and administrator for multi-platinum producers the TrackMasters who have produced hits for countless artists including but not limited to Jay-Z, Biggie, 50 Cent, Nas, Rihanna, JLo, Will Smith, Beyonce. Marro Films went on to independently finance, develop, and produce, “The War with Grandpa” starring Robert DeNiro and Life on the Line starring John Travolta. The War with Grandpa would make Rosa the first Latina to independently finance, develop and produce an all-white family comedy!
David McPherson
President of Music andVP of Alternative TV
With over 30 years of experience as an executive and producer spanning across music, film and television, David McPherson is currently the President of Music and Vice President of Alternative TV at WonderHill Studios.
After serving for 4 years in the United States Army, David McPherson started his music career as an intern at Mercury Records where he quickly displayed an ambitious spirit of creativity and leadership that propelled him into the position of A&R Manager. In that position, he signed and discovered Joe and oversaw artists projects such as Vanessa Williams and Tony, Toni, Tone. His work ethic and talent caught the eye of Clive Calder owner of Jive Records and was recruited as Director of A&R at Jive Records where he discovered, signed and created the worldwide frenzy of what is called The Backstreet Boys. He also worked with Tribe Called Quest and on his first Soundtrack “Wood”. His knack for discovering raw talent and recognizing hit songs garnered his promotion to Vice President of A&R.
After his tenure at Jive and within six years at Sony Music Entertainment, David has served as Senior Vice President of Epic Records and later as Executive Vice President of Columbia AND Epic Records. David oversaw and led the NY and LA staff along with overseeing all of Columbia AND Epic Urban artists such as Beyonce, Michael Jackson, Destiny's Child, Lauren Hill, and Jennifer Lopez amongst many others. As Executive Vice President of Epic Records, David discovered and signed teenage singer and now Emmy nominated actress Mandy Moore. He also Executive Produced multiple movie soundtracks including BRING IT ON, CENTER STAGE and YOU GOT SERVED. As a songwriter/producer McPherson co-wrote/co-produced many songs including the #1 record ALL I HAVE by Jennifer Lopez for which he won 2 BMI Song of The Year Awards for at the Pop and Rhythmic formats.
As CEO/FOUNDER of McPherson Entertainment Group, David has managed multiple music producers and recording artists while serving as a consultant to various record labels including Universal Music Group and Sony Music. As a TV executive producer, he Executive Produced PLATINUM HOUSE for BET. His music experiences led him to service as a music supervisor and casting director for multiple shows including MADE for MTV