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Founder@ Interview
Interview with Andrea Iervolino
“Start from a good and revolutionary idea, an idea of lifestyle change, absolute innovation, and never copy something that already exists.” – Andrea Iervolino
Today we feature Andrea Iervolino, the founder at TaTaTu. We hear their story in their own words, their successes, their challenges and their insights.
Let’s start by getting to know you. Can you please tell us a little bit about you and what you do?
I am a tech and entertainment entrepreneur that runs multiple companies, including TaTaTu, Space 11, Iervolino & Lady Bacardi Entertainment, and animation studio Iervolino Studios. I am also a producer and executive producer on major films and documentaries.
A great introduction and start to this interview. Can you please tell us, how did you start, from what age, and what made you decide to change direction and start?
I was born in Cassino, Italy. As a child, I had a stutter and was frequently bullied. Despite my teacher’s recommendations, my mother blocked the transfer to a school for disabled children because she believes my stammer was triggered by the shock of my father’s descent into alcoholism following the family’s financial hardship.
At 13, I decided to create something new and I launched a small tech business selling websites with my friends to local entrepreneurs in Cassino, where it was unusual to use the Internet for advertising. I decided to leave left home at the age of fifteen to work as a producer’s assistant in the resort town of Bibione, Italy. This was an amazing experience for me. It was the first time I felt completely appreciated for my qualities.
Thank you for that insight. So can you tell us…What does your business do and where is your company based?
Most of my companies are based in Italy and Los Angeles.
-TaTaTu is the first sharing economy of data. The Company is the first social media platform that rewards users with TTU Coins for viewing content and social media activities. Users can watch video content, post photos, and videos, and earn even more TTU Coins when someone likes, comments, views or shares a post or when users invite a friend. TaTaTu offers its community auctions, giving users a chance to win must-have prizes by bidding using TTU Coins. Also, users can pay with TTU Coins in the e-commerce store for products and experiences.
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-Space 11 was born from an idea by founder Andrea Iervolino to move entertainment beyond earth’s borders, similar to companies designing accommodation and recreational facilities for outer space. Its Vice President and head of operations is John Lewis.
One of a kind and revolutionary, the mission of Space 11 is to create film, television, and web content, as well as live events (concerts, sports competitions, etc.) that will be filmed in outer space. Space 11 is the first company dedicated fully to the development of entertainment formats and events in zero gravity.
Space 11 Corp plans to contribute to the science of aerospace with its research and development division. The intel gathered by Space 11’s efforts will be monumental in helping humanity understand deeper how the human body reacts to intense stress in a zero-gravity environment.
Iervolino has already begun enlisting top collaborators, including the sector’s leading engineers, astrophysicists, astronomers, technicians and related experts who will systematically study all the means and methods required for the realization of the company’s mission – one entirely focused on creating something mind-blowing and unique at the global level.
-Iervolino & Lady Bacardi Entertainment S.p.A. (ILBE), formerly Iervolino Entertainment S.p.A., is a global production company established by Andrea Iervolino and Lady Monika Bacardi in 2011 specialized in cinema and television content production The company, listed on Euronext Growth Milan and Paris, has a “Hollywood” footprint and strong focus on OTTs contents. It produces diversified contents for an international audience, focusing on core production phases and IP ownership.
The company also provides services such as advertising and celebrity management.
-Iervolino Studios is an animation company based in Serbia, with the main focus on creating high-quality short animated content for streaming platforms. It is a part of the international production company Iervolino & Lady Bacardi Entertainment S.p.A. (ILBE) founded in Rome in 2011 and whose majority shareholders are Andrea Iervolino and Monika Bacardi. ILBE operates in the production of film, TV-shows, web series and short content. Some of their most well-known projects include the critically acclaimed live action films, Waiting for the Barbarians, The Poison Rose, as well as the popular animated series spin-off, Arctic Friends.
What’s the story behind your success? What led to your aha moment? how did you get to where you are now?
My work as a producer’s assistant was my first challenge and from that moment I started thinking about films and productions. I returned to my hometown to produce my first film which was financed (by going door-to-door asking for sponsorship).
A year later, I produced my first film The Cavalier of Love (2003). After failing to distribute it in local cinemas, I invented Cineschool Day. This strategy involved adding films into Cassino schools’ curriculums giving students the opportunity to go to watch the films during the daytime at a reduced price.
While in Italy, I met Luciano Martino who became my mentor and business partner before he passed away in 2013. Together, we co-produced several films. Following the launch of AMBI Media Group in 2013, Monika Bacardi and I went on to launch AMBI Distribution in Beverly Hills, and AIC Studios in Toronto.
Thank you for sharing that. What’s been your life’s biggest lesson so far?
I had to learn that in the world of doing, everyone has his own way of seeing things, and unpleasant things can happen. You can make mistakes but you learn from them. Naturally, you surround yourself with people with shared values and vision.
I hope to be able to make movies in outer space. I have always been fascinated with life beyond Earth.
If you were to go back in time, what piece of advice would you give to your younger self?
Nothing is impossible, we can all achieve what we want by committing ourselves and always grasping the good of things.
We’re nearly halfway through our interview so it’s a great time to ask how does your business run. What three tools make your business run better?
-WhatsApp: Since my businesses are international, I have to talk to people in all time zones. WhatsApp helps me stay in contact with team members and contacts worldwide
-Email: to communicate with my team since I am often traveling for work.
-Having an assistant: It makes my life easier that I have someone helping me coordinate and schedule.
What do you know now that you wished you had known before?
In the world of doing, everyone has his own way of seeing things, and unpleasant things can happen. You can make mistakes but you learn from them. Naturally, you surround yourself with people with shared values and vision.
What future life goals do you want to achieve and why?
I hope to be able to make movies in outer space. I have always been fascinated with life beyond Earth.
To finish our inspire questions…”We believe that sharing inspiring words can inspire others.” If there was one positive thing you would say to someone to inspire and empower them what would it be and why?
Start from a good and revolutionary idea, an idea of lifestyle change, absolute innovation, and never copy something that already exists.
“Thank you it has been great learning more about your founder story and TaTaTu”
To learn more about TaTaTu Visit https://www.tatatu.com/
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