Cecil Cox
Encyclopedia
Cecil Cox is an American entrepreneur
, media executive and philanthropist
. He is the Co-Founder and President of www.affinitytv247.com.
Agent Training Program in 1991. He was mentored by the late ICM Vice Chairman and former Studio Head, Guy McElwaine. While working at ICM, Cecil helped service such artists as Sharon Stone
, John Travolta
, Joe Eszterhas
, and the late Richard Pryor
and John Candy
. In 1993, Cecil moved to William Morris Endeavor
, where he became the first Black franchised agent in the WME Motion Picture Department. At WME, Cecil worked with artists such as George Clooney
, Queen Latifah
, Eddie Griffen, Raven Symone, Jaleel White
, Bobby Brown
, Ice Cube
and the late Tupac Shakur
.
. As the Senior Executive and Manager at Mundy Lane, Cecil oversaw all TV, film, new media and strategic planning. He supervised the development of over a dozen projects including the award-winning films, “Hurricane” and “The Antwone Fisher Story.” Through Mundy Lane's production partnership with HBO, he also executive produced the documentary, “Half Past Autumn: The Life and Times of Gordon Parks.” The film received three overall Emmy nominations and an NAACP Image Award nomination.
METCO BOYS MEDIA: In 2002 upon his departure from Mundy Lane, Cecil Cox founded and was the Managing Director of Metco Boys Media, a convergent media focused consulting firm and provider of creative packaging services for digital media and film projects. At Metco Boys Media, he consulted for a number of Internet based entertainment companies including Fluid Music and American Idol Underground
.
AffinityTV247, INC.: In 2008, Cox co-founded AffinityTV247, Inc. (formerly Muse Media, Inc.) with friend and AffinityTV247, Inc. CEO Justin Beckett
and currently serves as the company's President. AffinityTV247, Inc. is a leading developer of online video based affinity communities and a producer of short form broadcast quality HD video programming, which specializes in entertainment and informational content.
AffinityTV247, Inc. has two operating divisions: BlackTV247
.com, and MyLocalBuzzTV.com
’s varsity baseball and football programs. He pitched for the Harvard Crimson’s baseball team and was a two-time All-Ivy defensive back for Harvard's football team. Cecil shares the single season interception record (8), was a Sporting News All-American and voted MVP of the 1985 team. Cecil signed a free agent contract with the Detroit Lions in 1986.
seniors of Cox's alma mater, Lexington High School, who demonstrate a commitment to Community, Scholarship and Teamwork.
Cecil is also a board member of MARA (Mentoring At-Risk Athletes) a Greater Boston based charity that provides guidance, support and advocacy for at-risk youth athletes.
Entrepreneur
An entrepreneur is an owner or manager of a business enterprise who makes money through risk and initiative.The term was originally a loanword from French and was first defined by the Irish-French economist Richard Cantillon. Entrepreneur in English is a term applied to a person who is willing to...
, media executive and philanthropist
Philanthropist
A philanthropist is someone who engages in philanthropy; that is, someone who donates his or her time, money, and/or reputation to charitable causes...
. He is the Co-Founder and President of www.affinitytv247.com.
Talent Management
Cecil Cox began his career in the entertainment industry in the International Creative ManagementInternational Creative Management
International Creative Management is a talent and literary agency with offices in Los Angeles, New York, and London. ICM is a full-service agency representing creative and technical talent in the fields of motion pictures, television, fiction and nonfiction publishing, music, live performance,...
Agent Training Program in 1991. He was mentored by the late ICM Vice Chairman and former Studio Head, Guy McElwaine. While working at ICM, Cecil helped service such artists as Sharon Stone
Sharon Stone
Sharon Vonne Stone is an American actress, film producer, and former fashion model. She achieved international recognition for her role in the erotic thriller Basic Instinct...
, John Travolta
John Travolta
John Joseph Travolta is an American actor, dancer and singer. Travolta first became known in the 1970s, after appearing on the television series Welcome Back, Kotter and starring in the box office successes Saturday Night Fever and Grease...
, Joe Eszterhas
Joe Eszterhas
József A. "Joe" Eszterhas is a Hungarian-American writer, best known for his work on the pulp erotic films Basic Instinct and Showgirls. He has also written several non-fiction books, including an autobiography entitled Hollywood Animal.-Early life:Eszterhas was born in Csákánydoroszló, Hungary,...
, and the late Richard Pryor
Richard Pryor
Richard Franklin Lennox Thomas Pryor was an American stand-up comedian, actor, social critic, writer and MC. Pryor was known for uncompromising examinations of racism and topical contemporary issues, which employed colorful vulgarities, and profanity, as well as racial epithets...
and John Candy
John Candy
John Franklin Candy was a Canadian actor and comedian. He rose to fame as a member of the Toronto branch of The Second City and its related Second City Television series, and through his appearances in comedy films such as Stripes, Splash, Cool Runnings, The Great Outdoors, Spaceballs, and Uncle...
. In 1993, Cecil moved to William Morris Endeavor
William Morris Endeavor
WME is the largest talent agency in the world, with offices in Beverly Hills, New York City, Nashville, London, and Miami. WME represents elite artists from all facets of the entertainment industry, including motion pictures, television, music, theatre, publishing, and physical production...
, where he became the first Black franchised agent in the WME Motion Picture Department. At WME, Cecil worked with artists such as George Clooney
George Clooney
George Timothy Clooney is an American actor, film director, producer, and screenwriter. For his work as an actor, he has received two Golden Globe Awards and an Academy Award...
, Queen Latifah
Queen Latifah
Dana Elaine Owens , better known by her stage name Queen Latifah, is an American singer, rapper, and actress. Her work in music, film and television has earned her a Golden Globe award, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, two Image Awards, a Grammy Award, six additional Grammy nominations, an Emmy...
, Eddie Griffen, Raven Symone, Jaleel White
Jaleel White
Jaleel Ahmad White is an American actor and screenwriter. He is best known for his role as Steve Urkel from Family Matters and voicing the character of Sonic the Hedgehog and other characters for Sonic the Hedgehog media....
, Bobby Brown
Bobby Brown
Robert Barisford "Bobby" Brown is an American R&B singer-songwriter, occasional rapper, and dancer. After success in pop group New Edition, Brown began his solo career in 1987 and had a string of Top 10 Billboard hits, culminating in a Grammy Award. He was a pioneer of New Jack Swing music, a...
, Ice Cube
Ice Cube
O'Shea Jackson , better known by his stage name Ice Cube, is an American rapper and actor. He began his career as a member of the hip-hop group C.I.A. and later joined the rap group N.W.A. After leaving N.W.A in December 1989, he built a successful solo career in music, and also as a writer,...
and the late Tupac Shakur
Tupac Shakur
Tupac Amaru Shakur , known by his stage names 2Pac and Makaveli, was an American rapper and actor. Shakur has sold over 75 million albums worldwide as of 2007, making him one of the best-selling music artists in the world...
.
Media Executive
MUNDY LANE ENTERTAINMENT: In 1996 Cecil Cox joined Mundy Lane Entertainment, the motion picture and television production company founded by Academy Award winner Denzel WashingtonDenzel Washington
Denzel Hayes Washington Jr. is an American actor, screenwriter, director, and film producer. He first rose to prominence when he joined the cast of the medical drama, St. Elsewhere, playing Dr...
. As the Senior Executive and Manager at Mundy Lane, Cecil oversaw all TV, film, new media and strategic planning. He supervised the development of over a dozen projects including the award-winning films, “Hurricane” and “The Antwone Fisher Story.” Through Mundy Lane's production partnership with HBO, he also executive produced the documentary, “Half Past Autumn: The Life and Times of Gordon Parks.” The film received three overall Emmy nominations and an NAACP Image Award nomination.
METCO BOYS MEDIA: In 2002 upon his departure from Mundy Lane, Cecil Cox founded and was the Managing Director of Metco Boys Media, a convergent media focused consulting firm and provider of creative packaging services for digital media and film projects. At Metco Boys Media, he consulted for a number of Internet based entertainment companies including Fluid Music and American Idol Underground
American Idol Underground
Artist Underground was founded by Justin Beckett in 2006 and was an online community and internet radio station where unsigned artists where able to get their music heard. Artists submit their music to Idol Underground for a fee and receive feedback from listeners...
.
AffinityTV247, INC.: In 2008, Cox co-founded AffinityTV247, Inc. (formerly Muse Media, Inc.) with friend and AffinityTV247, Inc. CEO Justin Beckett
Justin Beckett
Justin Beckett is an American entrepreneur, philanthropist and author. He is founder and chief executive officer of affinitytv247.- Investment Management :...
and currently serves as the company's President. AffinityTV247, Inc. is a leading developer of online video based affinity communities and a producer of short form broadcast quality HD video programming, which specializes in entertainment and informational content.
AffinityTV247, Inc. has two operating divisions: BlackTV247
BlackTV247
BlackTV247 is an Internet-based video website which features Black inspired programming. The site has over 16 different channels and claims to have the world's largest library of Black inspired programming....
.com, and MyLocalBuzzTV.com
Board Memberships
Cox currently serves as a board member for the following corporations and charities:- MARA (see below)
- BTV247, Inc. (see above)
- Tighe Scholarship Fund
Athletic career
Cecil was a member of Harvard CollegeHarvard College
Harvard College, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is one of two schools within Harvard University granting undergraduate degrees...
’s varsity baseball and football programs. He pitched for the Harvard Crimson’s baseball team and was a two-time All-Ivy defensive back for Harvard's football team. Cecil shares the single season interception record (8), was a Sporting News All-American and voted MVP of the 1985 team. Cecil signed a free agent contract with the Detroit Lions in 1986.
Philanthropy
Cecil Co-Founded, is the Executive Director of and helped endow the Mary & William Tighe Foundation. This scholarship fund awards grants to graduating METCOMETCO
METCO stands for the Metropolitan Council for Educational Opportunity. Founded in 1966 in Boston, Massachusetts, METCO is the longest continuously running voluntary school desegregation program in the country and a national model for the few other voluntary desegregation busing programs currently...
seniors of Cox's alma mater, Lexington High School, who demonstrate a commitment to Community, Scholarship and Teamwork.
Cecil is also a board member of MARA (Mentoring At-Risk Athletes) a Greater Boston based charity that provides guidance, support and advocacy for at-risk youth athletes.