Jim Berk is Chief Executive Officer for Participant Media, the leading provider of entertainment which inspires social change.
Participant believes that a good story well told can truly make a difference in how one sees the world. Whether it is a feature film, documentary or other form of media, Participant exists to tell compelling, entertaining stories that also create awareness of the real issues that shape our lives. Participant has released 27 films including Good Night and Good Luck, An Inconvenient Truth, The Visitor, The Kite Runner, The Informant!, Food, Inc. and The Crazies, and will soon release, Fair Game, The Beaver, Countdown to Zero and Waiting For Superman. Through these films, Participant creates extensive social action and advocacy campaigns designed to continue the impact of the film from the screen to the community. Participant also operates content creation and/or distribution operations in digital, publishing, live events and television. Participant’s equity investments include Summit Entertainment, MeToWe and the digital social action network TakePart.com.
Prior to Participant, Jim was the President & CEO at Gryphon, Fairfield Communities and Hard Rock Cafe International; he founded the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences Foundation and as Principal of Alexander Hamilton High School, was the youngest principal in the history of the Los Angeles Unified School District. Prior to Hamilton, he founded the Academy of Music public school magnet in Los Angeles.
Jim currently serves on the boards of Summit Entertainment, MeToWe, Community in Schools LA, and UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television.
