Cheryl Benson-Guanci
Entrepreneur, Executive, Producer
As a founder and owner of various companies within the sports, music and entertainment industries, I create, produce and direct live shows, specialized events and music-related ventures. I have also developed a number of writing projects, published a book and designed several interactive experiences.
Music Industry
EDGEOUT Records
A Label in Partnership with Universal Music Group (UMG)
EDGEOUT Records is an independent record label founded by Tony Guanci and Cheryl Benson-Guanci in 2018. The label is partnered and distributed through Universal Music Group, with which it signed an exclusive global label services agreement in December 2018.
EDGEOUT focuses on the development and signing of young Rock and Roll musicians as well as supporting established Rock artists and their specialty projects.
Sports & Entertainment
THE DCB GROUP
The DCB Group, Inc. was founded in 1994 by Deb Belinsky and Cheryl Benson-Guanci. Throughout its 18 years, DCB had consulted on, produced and directed over 3,500 shows. For elite professional sport leagues including the NBA, NHL, MLB, NFL, NCAA and other associations, DCB has been the driving force behind developing trend-setting entertainment concepts in North America.
Real Time Trivia
Real Time Trivia is an application program interface (API) developed for desktop and mobile devices. RTT allows users to play along and compete in live event-based trivia contests. These challenges will be featured at sporting events during scheduled breaks, music festivals and concerts during band change-outs, and downtime in other experiential events.
Fans that are in attendance or elsewhere can play along live, simultaneously in scheduled trivia contests to win rewards from major corporate sponsors.
Writing
Networking as a Nobody in a Somebody World
Packed full of advice for anybody who wants to be a Somebody, Networking as a Nobody in a Somebody World follows Cheryl’s journey through Hollywood while highlighting the personalities and pitfalls encountered in any industry.
This motivating memoir is a must for anyone—Nobody or Somebody—looking for insight and inspiration while navigating the maze of networking.
The Single Life of a Married Man
Television (Series), Scripted Comedy
The Single Life of a Married Man is scripted comedy made for television. The weekly series is based on Jack, owner of a new media and advertising firm, and his wife Leslie, who live in Chicago with their two kids Matt and Sara. Jack has a stable family life; however, Jack’s single-man behaviors are a constant source of chaos in his world. His outside influences, such as his friends, work environment, and his typical “guy habits,” are what cause Jack to repeatedly mirror the life of a single man; finding himself having to continually remedy his actions.
BLEND
Motion Picture, Drama/ Musical º
BLEND is a present day, hip, original drama/musical with the flare of Romeo and Juliet, and the edge of West Side Story and Fame. The diverse cast of Black, White, Latinx and Asian actors command a broad range of musical and creative talents. The musical portion of the film includes eleven compositions that incorporate a crossover of Hip Hop, R&B, Pop and Latin. These songs at times will be performed by various cast members and used to score specific scenes. The choreography will be reflective of their musical influences, with a strong focus on being unique and moving.
Rather than concentrating on concepts of race, status and gang rivalry, the story of BLEND focuses on the fight for love, friendships, dreams and creating harmony from diversity. BLEND will create a movement.
Story Concept
Johnny and Clarisa are from the same middle-class neighborhood in the Bronx. Since childhood they have admired each other from afar. They have always desired to meet and become friends, however their wish has been forbidden because of a past rift between their fathers. Clarisa’s world and all of the lives around her begin to dramatically change when she decides to follow her heart.
Full script available upon request
Aqualung
Live Theater, Dramatic Musical º
A young cocky journalist at a London newspaper receives an assignment to write a story on the homeless that dwell in the parks and streets of London. His main focus is a misfit named “Aqualung.” Somewhat prejudiced and critical of the homeless, his attitude soon changes through a series of observations and unjust events that take place.
This musical will be comprised of 20% dialogue, and 80% song (Renaissance Folk/Rock), unique choreography, stunt work, and special effects/lighting.
I’m With the Band
Television (Series), Scripted Reality/ Docudrama º
A behind-the-scenes scripted reality series that profiles individuals who work with and/or are associated with a particular musical artist/band, regardless of where they are on the ladder. These people will be followed and interviewed as they navigate the grind and the highs & lows of working with artists in the business.
This series will also incorporate and promote the specific artist/bands’ music, product line, tour, etc. by way of performance, appearance and interviews.
Investigator
Television (Series), Interactive Crime Mystery/ Game Show º
A highly sophisticated interactive “who done it” crime show, where the viewer has the opportunity play investigator by seeking out hidden clues and motives, and to ultimately solve the murder.
The challenge for the viewer is to try and guess all of the clues, motive, and murderer correctly to prove their savvy detective skills.
Salem’s Revenge
Motion Picture, Thriller/ Horror º
Logline
This Time It’s Not The Witches!!!
Salem’s Revenge is a present day thriller/horror film set in Salem, Massachusetts during the Halloween season. The plot focuses on the mysterious killings of six individuals who are descendants to those responsible for judging and putting to death, the innocent victims of the Salem Witch Trials in the late 1600s.
The murders are thought to be done by the “vengeful” ghostly spirits of the innocent trial victims, because of the similar fashion in which the descendants and the innocent victims are killed. In a twist, we find out that the revenge comes from another source.
About Me
I was born in Winnipeg Manitoba, Canada. At the age of three, I began my extensive tour of Canada, living in five major cities as my father worked his way up the corporate ladder of Shell Oil. At the age of 16, I ended up back in Winnipeg to complete my high school and university education, where I graduated with an honors degree in criminal psychology from the University of Manitoba.
After graduating, I worked in the juvenile justice system for three years. I really wanted to become Jodie Foster in Silence of the Lambs. At the very same time, I moonlighted as a professional choreographer. Eventually as fate would have it, a passion for the entertainment world took over and my life took an exciting turn.
I began a full-time career in the sports entertainment field, working for the CFL Winnipeg Blue Bombers as the dance team professional choreographer. After recognizing an opportunity to create and structure the game day experience, I created the role of Game Day Entertainment Coordinator.
I then crossed over to Night Out Entertainment, a Canadian concert and sports event company, where I developed promotions, sponsorships, and entertainment features for various sporting events and music festivals.
In 1994 with my business partner Debra Belinsky, we created The DCB Group, Inc.—a sports and entertainment production company. Shortly after getting up and running, we were blessed with a life-changing consulting contract with the Walt Disney Company’s new division, Disney Sports Enterprises. I excitedly relocated to Orange County, California and set up DCB’s USA operations.
Over the 18 years as co-owner and operator of The DCB Group, my partners and creative passions became the driving force behind developing trendsetting entertainment concepts for various professional teams, leagues and associations in North America. I’ve personally worked with the NBA, NHL, NFL, NBA, NCAA and consulted for individual clients such as the Maloof family. I expanded my creative and choreographic roles into the music industry with Maloof/Interscope, UMG, and into film, television and special event entertainment.
I wrote my first book, Networking as a Nobody in a Somebody World, a memoir that shares insight into navigating the maze of networking, and inspiration to make your ideas reality.
For the past few years, I’ve been developing a ground-breaking sports and entertainment API that will, in real time, challenge and connect fans in entertainment venues all over the world. Real Time Trivia. Stay tuned!
In 2016, I created an artist development program for young musicians now known as, The Studio.
In late 2018 with my business partner Tony, I co-founded an international Rock music label with Universal Music Group (UMG), EDGEOUT Records. EDGEOUT is dedicated to developing and curating the next generation of Rock musicians through The Studio, as well as supporting established Rock artists and their specialty projects. ■
“Think like a Somebody, even if everyone in the room thinks you are a Nobody. Be confident, NOT cocky. You are what you think!!!”
— Cheryl Benson-Guanci
Networking as a Nobody in a Somebody World