About me
William D. Simon is a Partner in SMS Media, LLC and is based in Los Angeles, CA. He advises media companies and others on management structure, people management/development and strategy.
Previously, he was a Senior Client Partner and the Global Sector Leader in the Media and Entertainment Practice of Korn Ferry for 35+ years. Korn Ferry is the world’s leading Executive Search and Leadership Development firm.
Mr. Simon brought his extensive background as an Entertainment executive with a keen understanding of a wide variety of areas across the traditional media landscape and the evolving digital marketplace. This incudes the traditional sectors of theatrical, broadcast, cable, home entertainment, music and publishing to the digital age of content for digital platforms, games, wireless and mobile devices. He recruited the full range of senior executives including Board Directors, CEO, CFO, General Counsel, Chief Digital Officers, Heads of Content/Programming, Heads of Distribution as well as Executive Directors and Heads of Non-Profits that support the media/entertainment industry.
Prior to Korn Ferry, Mr. Simon established the entertainment division at the investment banking and brokerage firm Communications Equity Associates (CEA). He was involved in transactions that included music, home entertainment, theatrical exhibition and television programming. Earlier in his career he served as Vice President of Heron Communications, Inc. where he was involved in the development of new businesses for its home video company, Media Home Entertainment.
Mr. Simon also served as the Deputy Staff Secretary to President Jimmy Carter and held on government and political jobs.
Outside of his professional responsibilities he serves as the Chairman of the Board of the Center for Third Space Thinking at the Annenberg School for Communications and Journalism at USC. Previously he served on the Board of Councilors for the Annenberg School for Communications and Journalism at USC; and on the Advisory Board of the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League. Mr. Simon earned a Bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley in Political Science.
