Jordan Birnbaum entered the entertainment
and multi-media industry in 2001 with an investment in Qtopia Events Inc., a
startup multimedia company. Qtopia was founded with the purpose of creating a
multi-media production studio within the premises of an entertainment location
that was popular and profitable. The company has leased a premises on Hollywood
Blvd, and opened its doors to the public in June 2002, however the results were
less than satisfactory. At the end of 2002, Jordan Birnbaum chose to rise to
the management challenge and relocated to Los Angeles to take over the company
operations himself. Obtaining a liquor license for Qtopia in late 2004 saw a
change in the company’s fortunes, at which time the premises were completely
revamped. No expense was spared in creating a leading location for dance music.
The facilities include a number of rooms that provide dedicated areas in which
patrons can mingle, a luxurious outdoor patio, a lounge with a
glass-partitioned balcony and the Front – a newly renovated front lounge. A new
name – Vanguard – came with the new look. Vanguard made its debut summer 2005,
and quickly became an out-and-out success.
Within a short time Vanguard was a regular
choice for many high profile events and projects ranging from the first run of
Rock of Ages, Hollywood premiere parties for shows including Fear Factor and
The Simpsons, corporate launch events including companies such as Motorola and
Lexus, and concerts. This range of events fulfilled Jordan Birnbaum’s wish to
turn Vanguard into a venue with appeal for everyone, and possible for any event,
whether a party, fashion show or concert. This period firmly established him as
a name in the industry, in addition to being an elected official of the Hollywood
United Neighborhood Council, he also served as the corresponding secretary for
six years.
Prior to founding Vanguard, Jordan Birnbaum worked for Juno Online Services Inc., an Internet Service Provider, where he
was promoted from his first positions as Director of Subscriber Acquisition
through VP to Senior VP of Business Development, where he focused on generating
revenue through innovative advertising sales. He was influential in the
company’s road show prior to its initial IPO, and subsequently led it in six
successive quarters in which the company beat analysts’ predictions. Birnbaum’s early career was with the investment
bank D.E. Shaw and Co. and later as a trader at D. E. Shaw Securities Int’l.,
London. In this position he managed a “book” of 75 issues of Japanese Equity
Warrants, and later became co-manager of trading operations for the Tokyo Stock
Exchange.
The future for Jordan Birnbaum is still in
the entertainment industry, though with a slightly different slant. Together
with Richard Belzer, of Law & Order SVU, he is working on The Secret
Beatnik Party, slated for launch in October 2012. This semi-farcical political
party will provide the platform for both recorded and live comedy shows, which
will be augmented with online media tools, such as podcasts. The show is
planned to air monthly.
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