MICHAEL LAMBERT
Founder
Michael Lambert spent the last 40 years in public and private companies acquiring, managing and growing US and international media and technology businesses, including broadcasting, cable and channel development, digital spectrum management, film and television production and distribution, music and cinemas. Mr. Lambert has repeatedly identified mispriced assets and out of favor sectors, resulting in significant returns for investors.
In the 90’s, Mr. Lambert created a fast growing TV broadcast group in the US by targeting and acquiring undervalued stations, improving operations, creating top line growth and selling to larger station groups delivering significant returns for investors. In Russia, thru an investment with ACTIII, Lambert helped turn a single station in St Petersburg into a national network covering 66 million potential viewers. The business was sold to Prof-Media in 2006.
In 2004, with partners Norman Lear, Hal Gaba, and Clarity Partners, Lambert formed Crescent Entertainment to acquire 50% interest in Village Roadshow Pictures, joining the Board and increasing the film making capacity from 4 to 8 pictures per year. With those same partners, he invested in Concord Music Group, one of the world largest independent jazz labels, sold to Wood Creek Capital in 2014
2009 Lambert sourced and acquired underperforming movie theaters from National Amusements, Rave Motion Pictures and various independents, growing to approx. 1,000 screens to become the 5th largest circuit in the US. TowerBrook Capital co-invested in the business, which sold to Cinemark in 2014.
Lambert’s public company experience includes: 20th Century Fox where, he served as President, Domestic Television, responsible for TV production and distribution in the US and overseeing the company’s growth in US television including the acquisition of the Metromedia Television Stations, the foundation of the FOX Network. Prior to that, he was Executive Vice President of HBO, responsible for the co-financing and world-wide distribution of HBO film and TV, the formation of HBO Video and the arranging of HBO co-productions. Earlier, was President Viacom, Domestic Television where he was responsible for US television distribution and new media, including the company’s early activities in cable television.
Lambert has been an advisor, co-investor, and portfolio company Board member for various Private Equity firms including Apollo Capital, Boston Ventures, Clarity Partners, Lee Equity, Mid Ocean Capital, Platinum Equity, Tailwind Partners, Falcon Investments, and TowerBrook Capital, where he serves on their Management Advisory Board.
SAM ALTMAN
Managing Director
Sam Altman is a Managing Director at Lambert Media Group where he shares responsibility for all investment activities of the firm. Sam has over 15 years of investment, operational and transaction experience. He has completed numerous transactions in a variety of industries representing over $5 billion in aggregate enterprise value. His investment experience spans mid and large-cap leveraged buyouts, distressed debt, operational turnarounds, corporate carve-outs, growth recaps and venture capital. Prior to joining LMG, Sam worked in the private equity group at Cerberus Capital, a private investment firm with over $30 billion under management. Before joining Cerberus, Sam was in the Drawbridge Special Opportunities Group at Fortress Investment Group, an investment firm with over $70 billion under management, where he focused on distressed debt, long/short equity and capital structure arbitrage investments. Prior to Fortress, he was a private equity investor at American Securities, a leveraged buyout firm with $15 billion in committed capital. Sam’s transaction experience also includes a number of M&A transactions and debt and equity financings as an investment banker at Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette and Credit Suisse. His investment and transaction experience is complemented by his operating experience as the CEO of a multi-strategy global media company.
Sam received an MBA from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business and graduated magna cum laude from Amherst College with a BA in Economics and Spanish.
DANNY MILNER
Vice President
Danny Milner is a Vice President at Lambert Media Group where he performs strategic evaluation of companies, industry and market analysis, operational due diligence, and portfolio company monitoring.
Danny has over 15 years of consulting, operational, and media experience. Prior to joining LMG, Danny was a senior executive at a growth-stage digital media company where he oversaw the business’ operations including content development, technology development, sales, and marketing. Prior to that, Danny was a consultant at Accenture, one of the world’s leading consulting and technology services firms, where he worked on multi-million dollar projects for some of the largest government organizations and financial institutions in the country. In addition, Danny has also served as an independent advisor on a variety of strategic, media, marketing, and technology initiatives for organizations in the entertainment, healthcare, lending, and cyber-security industries.
Danny received a B.S. in Systems Engineering from the University of Virginia.