Russell Naftal is an award-winning entertainment industry leader, and mixed reality pioneer. As
the Co-Managing Partner of Beast Media Group and its subsidiary VRWERX, he has been at the
forefront of delivering groundbreaking immersive entertainment experiences to a global
audience. With over two decades of experience in Television, Digital distribution, and video
games, Russell has established himself as an industry leader in content creation, video game
development, TV and Fim, technology innovations, immersive world-building, distribution,
location-based entertainment, and branded content.
As a co-managing partner of VRWERX, He wrote and directed the "Paranormal Activity: The Lost
Soul" VR game for Console and PC, which went on to become a global horror game sensation.
He also co-developed “LookTrax” a proprietary in-engine tracking technology designed for all
mixed reality devices. Russell's impressive portfolio also includes producing the first-ever
feature-length live-action virtual reality film, “JESUS VR: The Story of Christ," which premiered
at the prestigious 73rd Venice Film Festival. More recently, Russell and his business partner
developed a one of a kind mixed reality experience for CHOP (Children’s Hospital of
Philadelphia) to be used as an exclusive experience for engaging new and current donors.
Russell's experience as an executive in some of the largest production and distribution
companies in the world is unparalleled. He served as the Head of the Digital group at Endemol
USA, where he co-created the Cannes Lion award-winning branded series, "MLB Fan Cave" for
Major League Baseball as well as Kobe Bryant's "Dream Makers," and the "XARM Event Series"
for Machinima. Russell also established a $25 million film fund for the development of original
content for multiplatform distribution.
As SVP of Development and Programming at RipeDigital, Russell was at the forefront of digital
distribution, producing and programming thousands of hours of original digital content for
Cable VOD, broadband, and mobile distribution. He also made RipeDigital one of the first MCN's
on YouTube by programming its three network channels.
Prior to this, Russell was at Peter Gubers Mandalay Entertainment, where he created and
produced several award-winning series, such as "GoForIt TV," a game show which ran for three
seasons on ABC Family, the action sports feature documentary "Joe Kid on a Stingray," Warner
Brothers award-winning wrestling video series "WCW," and Peter Guber's "Shoot Out Online,"
one of the first-ever digital series for Yahoo.
Early in his career, Russell founded FuelNetworks, a digital distribution company that was ahead
of its time in the unique implementation of video on demand, with supporting partners such as
Sun Micro Systems, Oracle, Exodus, and Excite at Home. Russell also has a passion for
motorsports, particularly drifting, where he ran his own racing league and winning team,
Lateral G Racing in partnership with Dodge Motorsports. His Lateral G Racing team is
documented as the first USA Drift champion.
In addition to his entertainment career, Russell is an advisor for the "Infinity Festival
Hollywood" a tech and entertainment crossover event series, and he is also an advisor and
shareholder of the patented social media platform, "PollPals."