Mark Roesler
Encyclopedia
Mark Roesler is an American intellectual property rights
lawyer and business entrepreneur. He is the chairman, CEO and founder of CMG Worldwide
, a marketing and management firm that is the business agent for over 200 of the world's most recognizable celebrities, including Marilyn Monroe
, James Dean
, and Babe Ruth
. Roesler is a recognized authority on the intellectual property rights of celebrities.
. He graduated as valedictorian from Alexandria Monroe High School
in 1974, and went on to DePauw University
. While in college, Roesler started his own roofing company to finance his education. After completing his undergraduate studies, Roesler earned a joint J.D. and M.B.A. through the Indiana University School of Law – Indianapolis and Kelley School of Business
in 1981. During this time, he also became a licensed real estate broker.
, the long-time publisher of The Saturday Evening Post
and copyright owner of most of Norman Rockwell
’s artwork. Roesler was brought in to help license the copyrights to the deceased artist’s work. While working with The Curtis Publishing Company, Roesler realized that the families of deceased celebrities were unable to protect their famous relative’s intellectual property rights.
and James Dean. Today, the client list has grown to over 250 deceased and living personalities. CMG Worldwide also lobbies for the creation of special laws that will protect the image or likeness of famous personalities. Roesler has represented the estates of many celebrities in high-profile legal battles. He has been called upon many times to provide expert witness
testimonies pertaining to the net worths of celebrities. CMG Worldwide is headquartered in Indianapolis
, and has offices in Los Angeles
and Rio de Janeiro
.
players to wear their team uniforms while endorsing a product or service.
In the early 1990s, Roesler represented the family of James Dean in a court battle with Warner Bros. The entertainment conglomerate claimed ownership of the lucrative merchandising and endorsement rights to Dean, because he had been under contract with the company when he died. In 1992, the courts awarded the rights to Dean’s family.
In 1993, Roesler represented Betty Shabazz
, the widow of Malcolm X
, in a legal battle against Malcolm X director Spike Lee
. He argued that Shabazz controlled the rights to the “X” used in association with her husband and Lee was forced to pay Shabazz a licensing fee.
During the 1997 O.J. Simpson
civil trial, Roesler calculated Simpson’s future net worth as $25 million, which the jury kept as an accurate assessment. The families of Nicole Brown Simpson
and Ronald Goldman
were awarded that exact amount at the end of the trial.
In 2008, Roesler was awarded the Distinguished Entrepreneur Award by the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University.
Roesler is often called to speak on the topics of business and intellectual property law. On May 10, 2009, he gave the commencement address at the Indiana University
Kelley Graduate School of Business.
Most recently, Roesler has been featured in the press regarding the Michael Jackson
estate, including his post-mortem earning power. He has been featured on CNN
, 60 Minutes
, Fox Business Network
, MSNBC
and the Today Show.
Intellectual property
Intellectual property is a term referring to a number of distinct types of creations of the mind for which a set of exclusive rights are recognized—and the corresponding fields of law...
lawyer and business entrepreneur. He is the chairman, CEO and founder of CMG Worldwide
CMG Worldwide
CMG Worldwide, headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana is a multinational intellectual property rights management firm representing the estates of famous deceased people including Marilyn Monroe, Mark Twain, and Babe Ruth...
, a marketing and management firm that is the business agent for over 200 of the world's most recognizable celebrities, including Marilyn Monroe
Marilyn Monroe
Marilyn Monroe was an American actress, singer, model and showgirl who became a major sex symbol, starring in a number of commercially successful motion pictures during the 1950s....
, James Dean
James Dean
James Byron Dean was an American film actor. He is a cultural icon, best embodied in the title of his most celebrated film, Rebel Without a Cause , in which he starred as troubled Los Angeles teenager Jim Stark...
, and Babe Ruth
Babe Ruth
George Herman Ruth, Jr. , best known as "Babe" Ruth and nicknamed "the Bambino" and "the Sultan of Swat", was an American Major League baseball player from 1914–1935...
. Roesler is a recognized authority on the intellectual property rights of celebrities.
Biography
Roesler was born in Alexandria, IndianaAlexandria, Indiana
Alexandria is a city in Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana, United States. It is about northeast of Indianapolis. It is part of the Anderson, Indiana Metropolitan Statistical Area...
. He graduated as valedictorian from Alexandria Monroe High School
Alexandria Monroe High School
Alexandria Monroe High School is a high school in Alexandria, Indiana. It is a co-educational public school enrolling students in grades 9-12. It is under the auspices of the Alexandria Community School Corporation. The school enrolls around 500 students....
in 1974, and went on to DePauw University
DePauw University
DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, USA, is a private, national liberal arts college with an enrollment of approximately 2,400 students. The school has a Methodist heritage and was originally known as Indiana Asbury University. DePauw is a member of both the Great Lakes Colleges Association...
. While in college, Roesler started his own roofing company to finance his education. After completing his undergraduate studies, Roesler earned a joint J.D. and M.B.A. through the Indiana University School of Law – Indianapolis and Kelley School of Business
Kelley School of Business
The Kelley School of Business is a top-ranked American business school operated by Indiana University. As of 2009, approximately 5,500 full-time students are enrolled on its Bloomington campus, as well as 1,750 students at the Indianapolis campus...
in 1981. During this time, he also became a licensed real estate broker.
Early career
After graduating in 1981, Roesler joined The Curtis Publishing CompanyCurtis Publishing Company
The Curtis Publishing Company, founded in 1891 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, became one of the largest and most influential publishers in the United States during the early 20th century. The company's publications included the Ladies' Home Journal and The Saturday Evening Post, The American Home,...
, the long-time publisher of The Saturday Evening Post
The Saturday Evening Post
The Saturday Evening Post is a bimonthly American magazine. It was published weekly under this title from 1897 until 1969, and quarterly and then bimonthly from 1971.-History:...
and copyright owner of most of Norman Rockwell
Norman Rockwell
Norman Percevel Rockwell was a 20th-century American painter and illustrator. His works enjoy a broad popular appeal in the United States for their reflection of American culture. Rockwell is most famous for the cover illustrations of everyday life scenarios he created for The Saturday Evening...
’s artwork. Roesler was brought in to help license the copyrights to the deceased artist’s work. While working with The Curtis Publishing Company, Roesler realized that the families of deceased celebrities were unable to protect their famous relative’s intellectual property rights.
CMG Worldwide
Roesler started CMG Worldwide with the purpose of protecting the rights of famous deceased people, as well as generating income for their estates by marketing their names and likenesses. His first two clients were the estates of Elvis PresleyElvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
and James Dean. Today, the client list has grown to over 250 deceased and living personalities. CMG Worldwide also lobbies for the creation of special laws that will protect the image or likeness of famous personalities. Roesler has represented the estates of many celebrities in high-profile legal battles. He has been called upon many times to provide expert witness
Expert witness
An expert witness, professional witness or judicial expert is a witness, who by virtue of education, training, skill, or experience, is believed to have expertise and specialised knowledge in a particular subject beyond that of the average person, sufficient that others may officially and legally...
testimonies pertaining to the net worths of celebrities. CMG Worldwide is headquartered in Indianapolis
Indianapolis
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
, and has offices in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
and Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro , commonly referred to simply as Rio, is the capital city of the State of Rio de Janeiro, the second largest city of Brazil, and the third largest metropolitan area and agglomeration in South America, boasting approximately 6.3 million people within the city proper, making it the 6th...
.
Career highlights
In 1988, Roesler went to court to earn the right for retired Major League BaseballMajor League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
players to wear their team uniforms while endorsing a product or service.
In the early 1990s, Roesler represented the family of James Dean in a court battle with Warner Bros. The entertainment conglomerate claimed ownership of the lucrative merchandising and endorsement rights to Dean, because he had been under contract with the company when he died. In 1992, the courts awarded the rights to Dean’s family.
In 1993, Roesler represented Betty Shabazz
Betty Shabazz
Betty Shabazz , born Betty Dean Sanders and also known as Betty X, was an American educator and civil rights advocate. She was the wife of Malcolm X....
, the widow of Malcolm X
Malcolm X
Malcolm X , born Malcolm Little and also known as El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz , was an African American Muslim minister and human rights activist. To his admirers he was a courageous advocate for the rights of African Americans, a man who indicted white America in the harshest terms for its...
, in a legal battle against Malcolm X director Spike Lee
Spike Lee
Shelton Jackson "Spike" Lee is an American film director, producer, writer, and actor. His production company, 40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks, has produced over 35 films since 1983....
. He argued that Shabazz controlled the rights to the “X” used in association with her husband and Lee was forced to pay Shabazz a licensing fee.
During the 1997 O.J. Simpson
O. J. Simpson
Orenthal James "O. J." Simpson , nicknamed "The Juice", is a retired American collegiate and professional football player, football broadcaster, and actor...
civil trial, Roesler calculated Simpson’s future net worth as $25 million, which the jury kept as an accurate assessment. The families of Nicole Brown Simpson
Nicole Brown Simpson
Nicole Brown Simpson was a former wife of professional football player O. J. Simpson.- Relationship with O. J. Simpson :...
and Ronald Goldman
Ronald Goldman
Ronald Lyle "Ron" Goldman was an American waiter and an aspiring model. He was murdered along with Nicole Brown Simpson, former wife of O. J. Simpson, an actor and retired American football player. The subsequent criminal investigation and trial against O. J...
were awarded that exact amount at the end of the trial.
In 2008, Roesler was awarded the Distinguished Entrepreneur Award by the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University.
Roesler is often called to speak on the topics of business and intellectual property law. On May 10, 2009, he gave the commencement address at the Indiana University
Indiana University
Indiana University is a multi-campus public university system in the state of Indiana, United States. Indiana University has a combined student body of more than 100,000 students, including approximately 42,000 students enrolled at the Indiana University Bloomington campus and approximately 37,000...
Kelley Graduate School of Business.
Most recently, Roesler has been featured in the press regarding the Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
estate, including his post-mortem earning power. He has been featured on CNN
CNN
Cable News Network is a U.S. cable news channel founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. Upon its launch, CNN was the first channel to provide 24-hour television news coverage, and the first all-news television channel in the United States...
, 60 Minutes
60 Minutes
60 Minutes is an American television news magazine, which has run on CBS since 1968. The program was created by producer Don Hewitt who set it apart by using a unique style of reporter-centered investigation....
, Fox Business Network
Fox Business Network
Fox Business Network is an American cable news and satellite news television channel that began broadcasting on October 15, 2007. It is owned by the Fox Entertainment Group, part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation...
, MSNBC
MSNBC
MSNBC is a cable news channel based in the United States available in the US, Germany , South Africa, the Middle East and Canada...
and the Today Show.