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ExecutivesRicky StraussPresident A long-time motion picture production and marketing executive, Ricky Strauss joined Participant Media in March 2005 as President. In his post, he presides over all of Participant’s feature film production, acquisition and marketing efforts, as well as its newly-formed television division. In his first year at the company, Participant’s debut slate of releases— GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK., MURDERBALL, NORTH COUNTRY and SYRIANA —received a total of 11 Academy Award® nominations and an Oscar® for George Clooney. In 2006 Participant’s groundbreaking documentary AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH won two Academy Awards® and achieved worldwide box office success. It has since gone on to become one of the highest-grossing documentaries of all time. Later that year, Participant released FAST FOOD NATION, followed in 2007 by ANGELS IN THE DUST, JIMMY CARTER MAN FROM PLAINS, DARFUR NOW, THE KITE RUNNER and CHARLIE WILSON’S WAR. Prior to joining Participant, Ricky ran his own film and television production company, Ricochet Entertainment, where he executive produced THE SWEETEST THING, starring Cameron Diaz, among other projects. In addition to producing for Ricochet, he served as a marketing consultant for Revolution Studios and Sony Pictures Entertainment, creating ad campaigns for MAID IN MANHATTAN and MONA LISA SMILE. Prior to Ricochet, Ricky served as Senior Vice President of Production at Sony, where he developed and supervised such film projects as GO, directed by Doug Liman. From 1988 to 1997, he served as an advertising executive at Columbia Pictures, creating campaigns for such films as SLEEPLESS IN SEATTLE, JUMANJI and MY BEST FRIEND'S WEDDING. A longtime supporter of social issues and community service, Ricky served on the Board of Directors for Project Angel Food, the Los Angeles-based non-profit organization that delivers hot meals to homebound persons with AIDS and other serious illnesses. He is currently Vice Chairman of The Trevor Project, which operates the only 24 hour national suicide hotline for troubled gay youth, and is a filmmaker mentor for Project: Involved, a fellowship program sponsored by Film Independent, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping independent filmmakers. Ricky attended the University of Vermont, graduating Phi Beta Kappa (cum laude) with a BA in English and theater. What was your first job? When I was 16 years old I worked as a summer camp counselor in upstate New York. If you could change one thing about yourself or the world, what would it be? An addiction to handheld mobile devices. Who or what serves as your greatest inspiration? I am inspired by creative people who use their talents to inspire others.
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