David Baram

Mr. Baram has spent over 16 years in the consumer products and entertainment and media industries. In 2007, Mr. Baram co-founded the private equity firm VMG Partners, which has become an industry leader in investing and growing marketing-driven, branded consumer product companies. VMG collaborates closely with entrepreneurs and management teams to provide capital, resources and strategic guidance that accelerate growth and raise brand awareness. VMG has raised over $1.2 billion in capital to date; its current and past portfolio companies include leading brands in the food, wellness, sports nutrition, personal care, beverage, and pet categories, among others, such as Natural Balance Pet Foods, Justin’s Nut Butters, Vega, Solid Gold Pet Products, Kind Healthy Snacks, Quest Nutrition, Pirates Booty, Waggin’ Train Pet Treats, Pretzel Crisps and many others. Mr. Baram currently focuses on all aspects of the Fund’s investment strategy, execution and portfolio company management, as well as leading its unique partnerships with media companies in the entertainment industry to provide marketing support to VMG portfolio companies.

Prior to co-founding VMG, Mr. Baram served as President and COO of The Firm, the leading talent management and film/television/music production company in the entertainment industry. During his more than nine-year tenure in that role, Mr. Baram and his partners at The Firm helped develop and manage the careers of many of the industries’ leading artists, including Cameron Diaz, Leonardo DiCaprio, Snoop Dogg, Martin Scorcese, Jennifer Lopez, Justin Timberlake, Criss Angel, and many others. In his role at the Firm, Mr. Baram also raised over $50 million in private equity capital from investors such as Thomas H. Lee and Bain Capital and acquired numerous other talent management and production companies.

During his tenure at the Firm, Mr. Baram also helped lead The Firm’s innovative consumer products group which combined entertainment marketing with owned-and-operated consumer product brands. This included the acquisition of Pony International and the dramatic growth of the sneaker and apparel company and its successful sale in 2003. Mr. Baram has also executive produced over 100 episodes of television and is a member of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.

Prior to joining The Firm, Mr. Baram was a partner at the law firm of Alshuler, Grossman, Stein & Kahan from 1991 to 1999 and previously practiced law at Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker.

Mr. Baram received his J.D. with Honors from Harvard Law School and graduated Summa Cum Laude from Boston University with a B.A. in Economics.