Michael Levine is President of ML Search Partners, the company he founded in 1990. His firm’s clientele includes major media organizations involved with cable and broadcast television, theatrical studios, publishing and digital media. He recruits top executives in marketing, programming, digital media and general management and over the course of his career has placed numerous leaders around our industry. Mike spent the decade leading up to the launch of his own firm as a recruiter specializing in marketing services.

Prior to executive search, Mike was a psychologist for a joint New York State program where he worked with children and their families to prevent institutionalization and foster mainstreaming. He also served as a placement counselor in a rehabilitation agency for the physical, emotional and mentally handicapped, where he worked with

local industry to create jobs for his clients in the community. Mike has also managed not-for-profit arts groups. Mike is a native of New York City. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Hartwick College and a Master of Arts Degree in Psychology from The New School of Social Research.

Steve Spector is a Partner at ML Search Partners and runs the firms’ Los Angeles office. Steve approaches each project by combining an in-depth understanding of his clients’ business strategies with creative innovative search execution. He keeps in constant touch with seasoned executives in all sectors of the media, entertainment and technology industries, enabling him to stay abreast of current and pertinent trends in the marketplace. Steve conducts senior level searches in virtually every area of media and entertainment, specializing in marketing, creative and content-centric roles. His clients run the gamut from Fortune 500 companies to owner-run marketing and creative vendors. As with the rest of ML Search Partners, Steve takes pride in placing executives who have enjoyed long-term success with his clients’ organizations.

Steve has more than 10 years of experience. Previously, he was a principal at a Los Angeles boutique where he served studio and

first generation internet clients. Prior to working in search, Steve was a screenwriter and worked in catalog marketing at Gump’s in San Francisco. Steve received his B.A. from Amherst College.

Steve Bergin serves as Managing Director for ML Search Partners, one of the leading executive search firms focused on the Media, Entertainment & Convergence industries. Recognized for the breadth and strength of his relationships with senior executives across all sectors, Steve is in constant dialogue with the marketplace and as such is able to advise clients on trends impacting how consumers interface with content. Steve partners with his clients to ensure that they have the right executives in the right places to keep pace with their competition and to achieve and exceed on their goals.

Prior to joining ML Search Partners, Steve was a Principal with a leading boutique search firm. Previously, he was a key member of Korn/Ferry International’s Global Media & Entertainment Practice. Steve has successfully placed CEOs, COOs, and CFOs as well as heads of Marketing, Sales, Business Development, Production and other functions for major media companies, cable and

broadcast networks, music, publishing, information services, internet, mobile and sports businesses.

Steve holds a BS degree in English from the University of Florida and a MA degree in English from the University of Southern California. He has spent significant time living in Latin America and in Europe and is fluent in Spanish, Italian and German.

Maria Gianoutsos is responsible for business development at ML Search Partners. Maria is committed to identifying new opportunities for our clients that will meet their ever changing business needs. Maria specializes in the communications spaces where she works to identify fresh talent that can inform business development through creative solutions across a range of media.

Maria comes from a career in advertising which she began at Ogilvy & Mather in Sydney Australia. Maria came to NYC with Ogilvy where she assumed the responsibility for the management of several key iconic American brands. After six years at Ogilvy Maria assumed responsibility for Account Management at Weiss Whitten Stagliano. Maria then went back to the big agency world and spent time as a SVP Group Account Director at JWT. Finally Maria assumed a creative role at APL where she ran the New Communications Group.

Maria has since worked recruiting creative talent which she continues with ML Search Partners today.

Maria is a New Zealand born, Greek who was raised in Australia and now lives in NYC with her husband and two young daughters Isobel & Amelia. She is a passionate citizen of the world who is deeply connected to the creative community. Maria holds a First Class Honors Degree in Fine Arts from the University of Sydney, Australia.