Business View Magazine | February 2018

10 11 OPENING LINES LEVITY ACQUIRES THE IMPROV, 54-YEAR-OLD ICONIC COMEDY CLUB BRAND L evityEntertainment Group announced recently that it has acquiredThe Improv,the legendarycomedybrand owned byBudd Friedman andMarkLonow.More than 50 years after Budd Friedman invented the concept of a“comedy club”with the opening of The Improv in 1963,The Improvhas grown to over 20 clubs nationwide,and alsomaintains a libraryof classic comedyassets,includingAn Evening at The Improvseries, originallybroadcast onA&E for 14 years. “Thereare fewcomedybrandswithsuchanauthenticandrich history,”saysLevityfounderRobertHartmann.“Weareexcitedtobuild on its legacyandevolve the liveexperience fornewaudiences.” “When I startedThe Improvon 44th Street with littlemore than a brickwall,I couldn’t imagine it would endure for over a half century,”says Friedman.“Somuch of the historyof comedy played out on our stages.”Adds Lonow,“I’mso proud of what we accomplished,and I have no doubt The Improvwill continue to be the premier showcase for the best comedy talent.”Both Friedman and Lonowsaid,“We are honored to have been part of launching somany incredible comedic careers over the years.We have had such fun doing it.” The Improvacquisition signals the beginning of Levity’s rapid expansion of premiumentertainment venues globally.While keeping the legacyof The Improvbrand,the venues will offer a vastly improved consumer experience for comedy fans featuring upgraded seating,premium food and beverage options,and state- of-the-art technology. “The Improv,together with our existing venues,allows us to build a global comedynetwork,which is such a valuable asset to our production and talent management business,”saysAlire- za Ghaemian,Levity’s CFOand chief strategist.“The Improvhas always been the home for the best artists andwewill continue to build on that legacy.”