DAVID SHAHEEN
Head of Entertainment Industries and West Region for Corporate Client Banking
J.P. Morgan
David Shaheen is managing director of J.P. Morgan and head of the corporate client banking entertainment industries group and west region, based in Los Angeles. Shaheen has been with J.P. Morgan since 1993 and on the company’s entertainment team since 1995. He specializes in highly structured financings and advisory assignments for intellectual property and content production and distribution companies. He has been involved in many deals for companies such as Lions Gate, MGM Studios, Legendary Pictures, Amblin Partners, BMG Rights Management, Village Roadshow and Entertainment One. He previously worked on J.P. Morgan’s investment banking team in New York, where he was responsible for coverage of diversified industries and the firm’s leveraged buyout portfolio.
What was your proudest moment?
When I assumed leadership of the entertainment business at J.P. Morgan in 2009, it was already extremely successful. I’m proud we’ve retained our leading position in the industry, hired top talent and continue to work with amazing clients. I’m also proud of the way we stand by our clients through the good and challenging times and it’s that commitment to building long-term relationships that makes me proud to be at the firm.
What is your alma mater?
UCLA Anderson School of Management (MBA), Boston College (undergraduate)
What is your next project?
We’re constantly looking for ways to meet our clients’ evolving needs. Given the importance and growing presence of digital media, we’re focused on developing innovative ways to best serve these fast-growing companies and provide solutions to help them grow and succeed. In addition to bringing all of our firm’s capabilities to our clients and prospects, we also provide connectivity to our deep network of media and entertainment contacts to help foster relationships across this dynamic industry.
Who is your hero?
I’ll never forget my 8th grade teacher, who still inspires me to this day. He always valued the importance of becoming a teacher and educating future leaders. After working nights for years to earn a law degree from Georgetown, he decided to keep his teaching job and is now the principal of the school decades later. I always admired his dedication to education and commitment to the school.
What do you like best about Los Angeles?
L.A. is a wonderful and versatile place to live. One of my favorite things about L.A. is driving up the Pacific Coast Highway and the dramatic topography of the mountains rolling right into the beach. I grew up along the sea-wall lined roads of N.J., and will never get tired of the sheer beauty along the PCH. L.A. is also rich with the history of the film business. I still enjoy every opportunity to walk onto a studio lot and often think back to all the incredible stories and characters that have been brought to life there.
