{{Short description|Co-Founder of George Magazine}} {{Infobox person | name = Michael J. Berman | occupation = Businessman, Public Relations Executive | known_for = Co-founding George magazine with John F. Kennedy Jr. in 1995. | organization = George magazine (Co-founder, President until 1998)<br>Novix Media (Chairman)<br>Hachette Productions (President and COO), Galaxy Ventures (President) | title = | years_active = }} '''Michael J. Berman''' is an American businessman, responsible for founding ''George'' magazine with John F. Kennedy Jr. in 1995.<ref name="Sumner2010">{{cite book|first=David E.|last=Sumner|title=The Magazine Century: American Magazines Since 1900|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=J7g9PgL_No0C&pg=PA199|accessdate=July 20, 2011|year=2010|publisher=Peter Lang|location=New York|series=Mediating American History|isbn=978-1-4331-0493-0|page=199}}</ref> Due to Kennedy's fame, it was the largest magazine launch that year.<ref name="Sumner2010"/> At the time of the launch, Berman owned a New York public relations firm.<ref name="Sumner2010"/>
The two had apparently been quietly working on the project for several years before selling an interest to global publisher Hachette Filipacchi Media, which was responsible for its launch. Berman sold his share of the company in 1997<ref name="Mediaweek">{{cite book|title=Berman sells 'George' interest|work=Mediaweek|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hgQUAQAAMAAJ|accessdate=July 20, 2011|date=July 7, 1997|publisher=A/S/M Communications|page=55}}</ref> and continued to serve as ''George''{{'}}s president until 1998.{{citation needed|date=July 2011}} Berman has subsequently headed several media-related and investment companies, including holding the post of chairman at Novix Media and president and Chief Operating Officer of Hachette Productions, a Hachette Filipacchi subsidiary that focuses on film and television media.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ajr.org/Article.asp?id=466|date=June 2000|title=Salon for Twentysomethings|first=Kent|last=German|work=American Journalism Review|accessdate=July 20, 2011}}</ref> As of 2003, he was serving as president of Galaxy Ventures.
== In popular culture == Berman is portrayed by Michael Nathanson in the 2026 television mini-series ''Love Story''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=DeGrushe |first=Allison |date=2026-02-12 |title=See the cast of 'Love Story' side-by-side with the real Kennedys and Bessettes |url=https://ew.com/see-the-love-story-cast-and-the-real-life-people-they-play-11901859 |access-date=2026-02-14 |website=Entertainment Weekly |language=en}}</ref>
== References == {{Reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Berman, Michael J}} Category:American chief operating officers Category:American magazine founders Category:American magazine publishers (people) Category:Businesspeople from New York City Category:Living people Category:Year of birth missing (living people)