Experience, Integrity, and Big Thinking Fuel Enduring Success

Resources

Resources & Recommendations

Books

• "Picasso's War: The Battle for the Soul of Art" - This book was mentioned in the context of the Rockefeller family's involvement in starting the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and David Rockefeller's upbringing around art.
• "A Business and Its Founder: Akio Morita and Sony" by Akio Morita - Michael Ovitz described this as one of his favorite books, highlighting Akio Morita's journey in starting Sony after World War II.
• "The Mind of Napoleon" - This book, noted as hard to find and highly valued, provides insights into Napoleon's ambition and perspective, with Michael Ovitz drawing parallels between Napoleon's ambition and his own.
• "Patton" (screenplay by Francis Ford Coppola, directed by Franklin J. Schaffner) - Although a screenplay/movie, it was referenced in the context of military leadership and Patton's unwavering determination.
• "Shogun" by James Clavell - Mentioned as an example of a writer with a disciplined daily writing schedule.
• "Taipan" by James Clavell - Mentioned as an example of a writer with a disciplined daily writing schedule.
• "Jurassic Park" by Michael Crichton - Highlighted as an example of Crichton's ability to blend scientific education with compelling entertainment, making complex topics accessible.
• "The Great Train Robbery" by Michael Crichton - Mentioned as an example of Crichton's diverse storytelling, set in the 1850s.
• "The Andromeda Strain" by Michael Crichton - Referenced as an example of Crichton's futuristic storytelling.

Videos & Documentaries

• "Hamilton the Musical" (Disney+) - Michael Senra mentioned watching this with his daughter to celebrate America, highlighting the songs "Non-Stop" and "My Shot" for their themes of ambition and relentless effort.
• "The Red Shoes" - This film was mentioned as highly influential on Martin Scorsese, and Michael Ovitz learned about it through Scorsese.

People Mentioned

• Mark Andreessen - Co-founder of Loudcloud, mentioned for his extraordinary ability to analyze, recall information, and process it at rapid speed.
• Ben Horowitz - Co-founder of Loudcloud, described as a practical, brilliant, and approachable leader.
• The Michelin Brothers - Founders of the Michelin tire company, highlighted as an example of one of the greatest co-founder relationships in history due to their complementary skills and shared vision.
• Sam Walton - Founder of Walmart, quoted for his emphasis on efficient operations in his autobiography.
• David Rockefeller - Mentioned as a legendary figure in business and culture, known for his integrity, philanthropy, and unique fundraising approach for MoMA.
• Bill Murray - Mentioned as a comedic client who would often call Michael Ovitz using different names.
• Abby Rockefeller - David Rockefeller's mother, one of the three women who started MoMA.
• I. M. Pei - Renowned architect, whose work on a building for CAA was an early example of significant architecture in Los Angeles.
• Roy Lichtenstein - Artist, whose painting was part of Michael Ovitz's early art collection.
• Nobu Matsuhisa - Founder of the Nobu restaurant empire, recognized by Michael Ovitz for his special talent, personality, and culinary skill.
• Robert De Niro - Actor and co-founder of the Nobu restaurant chain with Nobu Matsuhisa.
• Wolfgang Puck - Celebrated chef, identified by Michael Ovitz as having special talent and personality from early in his career, leading to his success in California cuisine and media appearances.
• Julia Child - Pioneering chef and television personality, mentioned in the context of Wolfgang Puck auditioning to replace her on "Good Morning America."
• Charlie Munger - Investor and businessman, whose maxim about learning from history as a form of leverage was referenced.
• Taiichi Ohno - Architect of the Toyota Production System, mentioned by Michael Senra as a genius whose ideas influenced Steve Jobs and Jeff Bezos, particularly his focus on a mission bigger than oneself.
• Akio Morita - Co-founder of Sony, whose biography and entrepreneurial journey were discussed, highlighting his courage and vision.
• Norio Ohga - Former president of Sony, whose story of critiquing Sony's first reel-to-reel tape recorder and then being hired by Akio Morita was recounted.
• Len Fink - Advertising creative, hired by Michael Ovitz for his genius in advertising, particularly for the Coca-Cola campaigns.
• Shelley Hochran - Advertising creative, known for her brilliant ad campaign for Warren Beatty's movie "Reds."
• Herb Allen - Investment banker, described as a mentor to Michael Ovitz, known for his high integrity.
• Sumner Redstone - Media executive, mentioned in a story illustrating Herb Allen's integrity.
• Francis Ford Coppola - Renowned film director, a client of Michael Ovitz.
• Franklin J. Schaffner - Film director, a client of Michael Ovitz.
• George S. Patton - American Army general, whose military leadership and determination were admired by Michael Ovitz.
• Omar Bradley - American Army general, whose military leadership was admired by Michael Ovitz.
• Dwight D. Eisenhower - American Army general and former US President, whose military leadership was admired by Michael Ovitz.
• James Clavell - Author, mentioned for his disciplined writing habits.
• Michael Crichton - Author and filmmaker, described as a deeply special, thoughtful, and forward-thinking friend and client, known for his curiosity and loyalty.
• Jasper Johns - Artist, whose work Michael Crichton wrote a definitive textbook on.
• Andy Grove - Former CEO of Intel.
• Bill Gates - Co-founder of Microsoft.
• David Lynch - Film director, mentioned in the context of art and filmmaking.
• Tim Burton - Film director, mentioned in the context of art and filmmaking.
• Stanley Kubrick - Renowned film director, a client of Michael Ovitz.
• Thelma Schoonmaker - Film editor, known for her work with Martin Scorsese.
• Jeff Bezos - Founder of Amazon, mentioned for his views on sleep, efficiency, and dealing with criticism.
• Michael Dell - Founder of Dell Technologies, mentioned for his intense work ethic and entrepreneurial drive from a young age.
• Judson Wong - Not explicitly identified, but referenced for his autobiography and intense work ethic.
• Barry Diller - Media executive, whose autobiography and views on retirement were mentioned.
• Patrick Collison - Co-founder of Stripe, who meticulously reviewed Michael Ovitz's book and career mistakes, earning Ovitz's deep respect.
• Cornelius Vanderbilt - Entrepreneur and industrialist, whose biography and self-disruption in business (from sailing to steamships, then railroads) were discussed.
• Alexander Hamilton - Founding Father of the United States, whose ambition and relentless work ethic were highlighted from the musical "Hamilton."

Organizations & Institutions

• Loudcloud - Mark Andreessen's first company, where Michael Ovitz served on the board.
• Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) - Institution that David Rockefeller's mother helped found, and which David Rockefeller raised funds for.
• Creative Artists Agency (CAA) - Michael Ovitz's agency, discussed for its business practices, talent representation, and expansion into advertising.
• Nobu (restaurant chain) - Business co-founded by Nobu Matsuhisa and Robert De Niro, expanded into an empire.
• Spago - Wolfgang Puck's restaurant, mentioned as a popular and influential establishment in its early days.
• ABC (American Broadcasting Company) - Television network, mentioned in the context of Wolfgang Puck's appearance on "Good Morning America."
• HubSpot - Presenting sponsor of the podcast, described as a platform for customer intelligence and data management.
• William Morris (Agency) - Michael Ovitz's first employer in the mailroom, described as a competitive environment.
• Universal (Studios) - Major film studio, whose financial struggles and potential acquisition were noted by Michael Ovitz.
• Columbia Pictures - Film studio, whose sale to Sony was orchestrated by Michael Ovitz.
• CBS Records (later Sony Music Entertainment) - Music company, whose sale to Sony paved the way for the Columbia Pictures deal.
• Warner Bros. - Film studio, for which CAA helped secure financing.
• MGM (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer) - Film studio, which CAA helped save from being "plowed under" by accountants.
• Apple - Technology company, mentioned in the context of Michael Crichton being an "Apple fellow" and the Apple 2e computer.
• Intel - Technology company, mentioned in the context of Michael Ovitz's early tech experiences with Andy Grove.
• Sony - Japanese conglomerate, whose founding story and high-quality products were discussed.
• Ampex - Company that invented the reel-to-reel tape recorder.
• Coca-Cola - Beverage company, for which CAA created highly successful advertising campaigns, including the polar bears.
• Madison Avenue - Metonym for the advertising industry, mentioned in the context of CAA's disruption of traditional advertising.
• Allen & Company - Investment bank, where Herb Allen is associated.
• ICM (International Creative Management) - Talent agency, from which CAA signed Mike Nichols.
• UCLA Medical Center - Institution mentioned in the context of Michael Ovitz's "rounds" practice.

Tools & Software

• Apple 2e computer - Early personal computer, used by Len Fink to create a commercial.
• HubSpot - Platform for managing customer data and financial operations.
• Eight Sleep (Pod 5) - Smart mattress cover that regulates body temperature for improved sleep.

Websites & Online Resources

• Ramp.com - Presenting sponsor of the podcast, offering programmable corporate credit cards, expense reporting, and financial operations management.
• Perplexity - AI search engine, mentioned as a source for Michael Ovitz's daily research.
• OpenAI - AI research and deployment company, mentioned as a source for Michael Ovitz's daily research.
• Google - Search engine, mentioned as a source for Michael Ovitz's daily research.
• Instagram - Social media platform, used by Michael Ovitz for visual research.

Other Resources

• Joe Clock - A clock with 25 hours, gifted to Michael Ovitz by his college roommate, symbolizing his desire for more time.
• Tally.ai - A company mentioned by Matt Paulson, who used Ramp to cut expenses for them. (Likely a mishearing of "Matt Paulson, the founder of MarketBeat, just sent me a message. He said that Ramp had helped him cut $420,000 in monthly expenses.")
• "Good Morning America" - Television show, where Wolfgang Puck auditioned to be a chef.