Derrick Williams
Derrick M. Williams is a producer with an adept business sense that allows him to maximize on the potential of each production he embraces. With his own coined "360 entertainment" philosophy, he successfully takes an idea full circle by bringing every favorable aspect of it to life turning plays into movies, movies into soundtracks or developing conferences catering to thousands to live events attended by hundreds of thousands. There are no boundaries to the marketing and promotion efforts Williams engages.
This "knows no limit" attitude was instilled in him by his mother and stepfather who grew their own supply rental company from 100 to thousands of tables and chairs introducing him to entrepreneurship as a child growing up in New Orleans. However, before embracing his entrepreneurial gift, he grabbed hold of another foundation building life lesson, when he inherited a drum set upon the passing of his biological father. His first career which he studied and pursued while attending Dillard University was as a musician. Little did he know as he mastered the drums, he was setting the tempo he would follow his whole life that would take him places he had not dreamed—across oceans and before dignitaries around the world.
"As a drummer your right hand is doing one thing, your left hand is doing another and simultaneously your left and right foot are doing two different," said Williams. "Each limb is moving separately and it all comes together to make one beautiful thing." And so it is with each production he touches whether on a large or small scale; like the drummer in the band, he is the anchor bringing each aspect of each production to life to create beautiful experiences for audiences to enjoy.
Over the last 20 years, through his company Favor International, Williams has created a turn-key “360 entertainment" operation for his clients offering services in 5 major areas: live events; film and television; business development; marketing; and artist management. He has orchestrated the production of numerous events ranging from fundraisers, award shows, stage plays, live recordings, screenings seminars, concerts, tours, conferences, and corporate events. As the anchor, he makes sure every piece from development to marketing to production is in place ensuring it all flows together seamlessly and stays on one beat. He has honed these skills on a wealth of projects with a plethora of notable people.
Williams first emerged in the Christian and urban entertainment arenas in the 90s. In collaboration with David E. Talbert, Williams served as CFO and COO for many urban musicals marketing and promoting critically acclaimed productions such as His Woman, His Wife (starring Malik Yoba and Stephanie Mills) and Fabric of A Man (starring Shamar Moore and Clifton Powell). He served as general manger and a co-producer of David E. Talbert's Love Makes Things Happen, presented by Clear Channel Entertainment in collaboration with Edmonds Entertainment.
Eventually under the auspices of his companies, Favor International and DMW Management, Williams managed the careers of Gospel and R&B artists Fred Hammond, Edwin Hawkins, Karen Clark-Sheard, Kurt Carr and Tony Terry as well as coordinating musical events with artists including Kurt Karr, Tye Tribbett, Take-6, Wynton Marsalis and Branford Marsalis.
In 2003 through 2004,Williams became Director of Entertainment for TD Jakes Enterprises and Dexterity Sounds/EMI Records. Favor International remains the Conference and Special Events Management Firm for Bishop Jakes' ministry, The Potter's House of Dallas, Inc. Working closely with Bishop Jakes for the past 17 years, Williams continued to use his ability to keep the momentum as he facilitated all aspects of Bishop Jakes' entertainment division including, producing feature films, television productions, stadium conferences, MegaFest 2004, 2005 and 2006, and MegaFest International in Johannesburg, South Africa. His work with the ministry also includes managing live recordings and musical production events. He has also facilitated marketing, promoting and general managing the box office hits Woman Thou Art Loosed and Behind Closed Doors. At Dexterity Sounds, his duties included A&R; booking concerts and events; scouting venue locations; artist development and contract negotiations; coordinating and managing road tours.
He has worked closely with large and established organizations like the Congressional Black Caucus, Universal Studios, FOX Entertainment Group, Clear Channel Entertainment and Sony Pictures Entertainment as well as smaller, community based organizations. Other noteworthy projects and clients include The Harlem Week Festival; The Urban Broadway Series; Faith for Africa: Kenya Mission; Dr. Ian Smith's 50 Million Pound Change; Essence Music Festival; UK Leadership Summit; and Walt Disney Interactive.
Currently, Williams is well-established as a marketing guru evidenced by the recent promotion success of the 2011 movie, Jumping the Broom which grossed $16 million opening weekend. His film promotion efforts also extend to The Pursuit of Happiness, Not Easily Broken, and The Karate Kid (remake). Successes such as these have led to his next conquest—to master the film and television industry. He is well on his way toward this goal with two television shows already in the works and is currently on-set as producer for the remake of the movie, Sparkle, featuring Jordin Sparks, Whitney Houston, Mike Epps, KEM and Grammy® Award winner, Cee-Lo Green.
"You'll win if you don't quit," is his motto. So, there is no idea too big for Williams to attempt to bring to life. It is his calling - to create, to produce, to set the tempo. And like a drummer, driven, passionate, and relentless, Williams is continuously moving forward in all his pursuits—without missing a beat.
