Tech and Entertainment Executive, Serial Entrepreneur and Inventor
Geo Martin (aka Olav Bokestad) is an entertainment tech entrepreneur and inventor with more than 3 decades of experience. Currently, Geo is the CEO and founder of WR1 Inc, a tech company with a mission to elevate the creator’s economy through exclusive members’ club.
Former achievements include CEO and Founder of Engine Entertainment group (Acquired), Head of A&R at Arcade Music, and Head of FIFA World Cup’s Entertainment Program.
Geo has been granted multiple patents for his inventions and participated in more 146 record releases earning him 11 Gold Awards, 19 Platinum Awards and 3 Grammy Nominations (one win). Geo has through his executive roles facilitated sales exceeding $300M and previously made 2 successful exits from companies he has founded.
Awards
- 1982 Album Platinum Award “Breaking Away,” DRAMA, Norway
- 1982 Grammy Nomination Pop Artists of the Year, Norway
- 1983 Album Platinum Award “High Time,” DRAMA, Norway
- 1983 Artist of the Year, VG, Norway
- 1983 Songwriter of the year, VG Norway
- 1983 Man of the Year, VG Norway
- 1983 Winner of Europa Toppen, Norway
- 1983 Winner of the silver microphone, DETNYE, Norway
- 1984 Album Platinum Award “The Real Thing,” Creation, Norway
- 1985 Album Platinum Award “Blue Sky,” Creation Norway
- 1986 Album Platinum Award “Jungle Rhythms,” Creation, Norway
- 1987 Album Platinum Award “Take It Away,” DRAMA, Norway
- 1988 Album Platinum Award “Escapades,” DRAMA, Norway
- 1993 Grammy Winner for Pop Album of the Year, “Finder’s Keepers,”
- 1993 Five Times Platinum Award for producing “Trine Rein,” and “Finders Keepers”
- 2005 U.S. Album Gold Award “Rock Angels” BRATZ, USA
- 2007 Granted U.S. Patent for Karaoke System
- 2007 Emmy Nominated for Best Music Children’s Programming – BRATZ “Rock Angels”
- 2014 Best of Manhattan Winner for FAB HAIR Inc. (Investor & Board)
- 2018 Enrolled into Norways Hall Of Fame – Rockheim the National Museum for Pop and Rock History.
- 2019 Granted U.S. Patent for Future Sharing Technology & Proof of Attendance
Grammy Winning Artist and Producer
Born in Norway, Geo Martin formerly known as Geir Olav Bøkestad (a/k/a Bokestad, Boekestad) grew up in the 80s and early adopted a fascination for computers, tech and music. At young age he started the pop band, DRAMA, with 4 friends. Highly inspired by The Beatles and the 80s pop scene, DRAMA launched their debut single “Daydreamer” in 82 which went to the top of the charts, followed by multiple hit releases. In mid 80s the band split into the duo CREATION. Combined the bands released 8 platinum selling albums in the 80s, and was awarded “Artist of Year” multiple times. The band also got nominated to a Grammy awards. CREATION’s fanclub grew to more than 60.000 paying members. The fans received a magazine 4 times per year with “behind the scenes” content. This experienced inspired Geo to start WR1 with a mission to bring back an exclusive fan experience with new technology.
During the 90s Geo produced music for many other artists at EMI, Virgin Records, Warner and Universal. In total Geo was awarded 11 Gold and 19 Platinum Awards as a producer and artist.
During the 90s. Geo Martin was hired as the Head Of A&R at Arcade Music, the leading European independent record company. By licensing the SMURFS from IMPS Geo was part of revolutionizing kids music with modern remakes of contemporary hit songs. The SMURF series became very popular across Europe and ramped up a staggering 15 Million albums in sales generating more than $225M in revenue.
More info about music produced by Geo Martin (Geir Olav Bøkestad, Geir Olav Boekestad, Olav Bokestad). Full Discography
CEO & Founder – Engine Entertainment
In 2000 Geo Martin founded Engine Entertainment, a company specializing in developing brands into music products. Through the Smurfs projects, Geo Martin had gained significant knowledge within character licensing with a reputation as an innovator of special products space in the music industry.
Engine partnered with Mattel Inc for the global exclusive rights to give Barbie a voice and release Barbie albums and films. After 40 years in silence, Barbie was brought to life as a popstar. Samantha Mumba gave Barbie a voice in the first release “Wish upon a star” featured in the Barbie Rapuzel Movie.
Engine Entertainment quickly grew to become a global leader of character music and entered into partnership with among others MGAE (BRATZ), Jim Henson (The Muppets), Walt Disney and more.
The BRATZ Rock Angelz album, where Geo Martin was the executive producer, went #1 on Billboard Kids Charts and sold more than 500.000 copies in USA. The album received a Gold Award and an Emmy Nomination with the song “So Good” written by Britney Spears and Backstreet Boys (Cheiron) producers Jorgen Elofsson and Andreas Carlson. The album was also listed among the top 100 best-selling albums of the year in 2005.
Geo Martin partnered with FIFA World Cup to lead the FIFA World Cup Official Entertainment Program. Geo Martin was the executive produce of the “Voices” Album featuring the 2006 FIFA Word Cup’s Official Song “Hips Don’t Lie” _ Bamboo performed by Shakira and Wyclef Jean. The song was performed at the 2006 FIFA World Cup Official Closing Ceremony and was watched by 2.6 billion worldwide.
Same year Engine Entertainment got acquired by Modern Times Group and the headquarter moved from New York City to Stockholm, Sweden.
CEO & Founder – WR1 Inc
Geo Martin, is currently the CEO & Founder of WR1 Inc (We Are One) a members club platform for creators.
WR1 makes it easy for creators and brands to start members’ clubs, expanding community and engagement, bringing creators and fans closer, and providing an array of monetization tools.
WR1’s patented technology makes it possible to lock down Livestream, content, and DMs (chat) behind subscriptions, sell video greetings or Digital Meet & Greets (with selfies), Pay Per View (PPV), paid DMs content and more.
In beta tests WR1 converted an average of 22% of the creators fans into subscribers, representing up to 50% of the total creators’ economy.
WR1 is built for artists, influencers, models, actors, athletes, comedians, bloggers, podcasts, celebrities, and brands that would like to create a members club. It is also a perfect perfect tech platform for launching digital courses, coaching, and personal elevation service.
WR1 makes it easy and free to start a fan community, fanclub or a members club.
