Investors & Projects
A word from our Producer/COO - Mark
Mahar
There is no "one size fits all” investment strategy
in the entertainment world. A lot of entertainment companies
specialize in one particular form of financing. At IIE, we've
positioned ourselves to focus on projects that merit attention
(rather than those that fit into our standard financing model).
Image Icon Entertainment has
various investor solutions available.
Our team will meet with Investor,
Production Team & Property Owner to determine the best investment
structure. All solutions are created specifically on a project
by project basis.
Each project and investor
has different criteria (obligations and interest), and we have
many ways of packaging a project for everyone's benefit. Some
are listed below:
Federal Tax Incentives
The federal government currently has
a 100% tax credit available under Tax Code 181.
Through our extremely talented legal
associations we are able to exploit this Tax Code for everything
it is worth. EVERY tax code has positive and negative implications.
To truly benefit from the positive, and avoid the negative, our team
invests a great deal of energy, manpower and intelligence to package
projects within a LEVERAGED ENVIRONMENT (which in some cases can
multiply available tax credits in astounding ways).
Note: Investors with $1-$10million
in capital and an annual tax liability are superb candidates for
this type of packaging (particularly because IIE can work with our
associates to offset every investment dollar with a tax credit. Other
individuals or widely held corporations who derive a substantial
part of their income from passive gains will likely find this program
a good fit.
This is an extremely impressive program
that is certified by national tax & IRS auditors. When we make
a claim of a project being “risk free” for an investor, we have documentation
to warrant it and revenue to prove it. Some of these tax solutions
are so innovative they are proprietary (and only available through
our associates).
State Tax Incentives
Image Icon primarily operates in New
England , which presently allows us to make use of RI State Tax Credits
(currently 25%). MA and CT are also becoming more friendly with their
tax incentives. We work directly with the people who have AUTHORED
the tax codes in various States and consulted to the State Agencies
who offer these credits.
We believe that we come from a superior
position of intelligence on this topic (not because of our own knowledge,
but because we are strategically associated with the most knowledgeable
people on the topic). We are arguably more equipped to exploit the
MA/RI/CT tax codes than any Hollywood Executive.
Private Investment
It has been our experience that Standard
Stock/Membership Offerings through a corporation (LLC, C or S Corp)
can provide a stable investment and fundraising vehicle, without
all the trappings of tax code and life expectancy. This format also
allows smaller investors ($1500/unit) to become part of a larger
project that they otherwise couldn't afford.
Based on the investor's criteria for
exit and return on investment (and the project's potential for revenue),
we will match funds and projects together in one of the following
ways
LLC Partnership
The organizational structure of a Limited
Liability Company has become an excellent tool for the entertainment
industry. At Image Icon we feel
Ownership
One of the not so widely known facts
about receiving certain tax benefits through a Film or TV project
is that the tax benefits are reserved for “OWNERS” who have the actual
tax liability. Because ownership is a level of involvement that comes
with inherent risks and substantial benefits, we exercise the utmost
caution in pairing financing on an “ownership” level. We do have
projects in our packaged roster which are excellent candidates for
ownership participation.
Note: Investors who have an existing
tax liability of $100k-$10million are superb candidates for this
type of opportunity.
Single Private Investment/Fixed Return
On some smaller projects or projects
with a rapid turn around, we do sometimes offer a more simple investment,
based on very simple math. This is reserved for projects that have
either a predetermined market, a rapid production schedule, an alternative
use, or a marketing tie-in.
When a project has internal components
which offset the investment risk, we are able to bundle additional
incentives in a nice clean package. This allows us to install inherent
benefits (so everyone gets out of the project what they put into
it) but also allows for additional “bonus” situations.
Note: This program is kind of a lottery
ticket investment that builds in certain fundamental business benefits
(like marketing) so that success or failure becomes less of an issue…but
if it does succeed, everyone reaps additional rewards.
Product Placement
Advertising your product in a media
project can greatly enhance brand awareness. Product Placement Proceeds
have allowed us, in some cases, to fully fund a project, increase
the market reach, and even attach more notable names.
Note: This is a superb way for a business
to enter into the entertainment world and for much less investment
than ANY comparable marketing benefits in other mediums.
Intelligence and Honesty are the cornerstones
of any investment
At Image Icon we are determined to
achieve a permanent residency as a worldwide production company.
We do not blindly accept investor capital
that becomes available to us.
We qualify and educate our investors
and give them every opportunity to understand, appreciate, and validate
everything we do and say. We also provide multiple opportunities
for any interested party to withdraw their interest in a project.
We do not start projects without 100%
of the support system in place, all questions answered, and everyone
moving forward with a superb level of confidence and trust.
INVESTORS TRUST US with their sensitive information and we reward that trust
by giving them honest investment advice. Frankly, sometimes that means sending
them somewhere else or telling them that “Entertainment” isn't their best
investment.
A note to investors who just
want to be a part of the entertainment industry:
We run into so many people who have
expressed an interest in just “being associated with a film”.
At Image Icon we have opportunities
to be a part of the entertainment industry that provide for Personal
Investment under $1500. If you are an investor who considering investing
in the entertainment industry you should be prepared for a complete
and total loss of your investment.
If you would like to contact
us regarding investment opportunities on current and upcoming film
projects you may contact Mr. Mahar or send us a message. Your information
and/or project are completely confidential.
