What advice would you give your younger self?Įnjoy the ride! Hard work is the cornerstone of success, but make sure you find the joy that you deserve. Persistence and enthusiasm have helped me make many artists’ dreams come true. If I believe in something, I won’t stop until I get it done. I am a very determined worker and have been throughout my career. What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur? There are more ways to reach a wider audience now then ever before. The new media landscape with big streamers like Netflix, Amazon, Disney +, premium cable outlets, and digital players. It’s a team effort where everyone involved brings something to the table. I strongly believe that everyone who is in a creative position needs to work constructively with other talented individuals. We bring ideas to life through collaboration. Of course family is paramount in my life, so spending time with my wife Mary, our children, and our grandsons is always the best time spent outside the office. We approach anything we take on with strong enthusiasm and passion. On any day, Magnolia Hill is working on several projects in various stages of development and production. What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive? We have since produced 11 beautiful films together. The first person I thought of was Dolly Parton. family and told me to build a sandbox and invite my friends in to play. He invited me to join him and the Warner Bros. The idea for Magnolia Hill Productions came because after I had left William Morris and thought I would enter retirement, my dear friend Peter Roth from Warner Bros. Where did the idea for Magnolia Hill Productions come from? Sam went on to found Magnolia Hill Productions in 2013 given his passion for quality programming. Prior to Haskell’s retirement from WMA in 2005, his clients included: Dolly Parton, Kathy Ireland, Kathie Lee Gifford, Ray Romano, Whoopi Goldberg, Debbie Allen, Delta Burke, George Clooney, Sela Ward, Marilu Henner, Martin Short, Kirstie Alley, Tony Danza, Sean Hayes, Michael Feinstein, Emily Procter, Lily Tomlin, Marilyn McCoo, Joan Van Ark, Malcolm Jamal Warner, Swoosie Kurtz, Lucie Arnaz and His Royal Highness The Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex. In 1997 he was named Executive Vice President and a member of the WMA Board of Directors, and, in 1999, he was appointed to the esteemed position of Worldwide Head of Television.Īt William Morris, Haskell oversaw the “packaging” of all agency-represented network projects, including such mega-hits as “Fresh Prince of Bel Air,” “Mad About You,” “Everybody Loves Raymond,” “Lost,” “Murphy Brown,” “Sisters,” “Suddenly Susan,” “Live with Regis & Kathie Lee,” “Diagnosis Murder,” “King of Queens,” “Las Vegas,” and “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire,” among many others. In 1990, he became the Agency’s youngest Senior Vice-President, and in 1994, was elevated to the position of West Coast Head of Television. His career began in the Fall of 1978 when he moved to Los Angeles and fought his way into the renowned William Morris Agency mailroom, about which David Rensin wrote extensively in his 2003 bestseller “The Mailroom: Hollywood History from the Bottom Up.” By May 1980, Haskell was promoted to agent in the TV Variety Department where he packaged specials starring Lily Tomlin, Lynda Carter, Debbie Allen, David Frost and Diana Ross. In 2007 he was named one of the 25 Most Innovative and Influential People in Television. Sam attended the University of Mississippi, class of 1977, and began his career in the William Morris Agency mailroom, eventually rising to Executive Vice President and Worldwide Head of Television. As a multi-faceted film/tv production company, Magnolia Hill is known most recently for its work with Dolly Parton on the Netflix series ‘Dolly Parton’s Heartstrings’ and the NBC TV movies: ‘Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors’ and the Emmy nominated ‘Dolly Parton’s Christmas of Many Colors – Circle of Love.’ Haskell believes that there are many great stories left untold in today’s media landscape, and wants to bring more inspirational and family friendly entertainment to audiences. Sam Haskell is President of Magnolia Hill Productions. Hard work is the cornerstone of success, but make sure you find the joy that you deserve.
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