Charlie Haykel Launches Extra Special Entertainment

Veteran television producer Charlie Haykel has launched Extra Special Entertainment, a new independent production company to develop and produce across live specials, events, unscripted series and game shows.

Haykel has been an executive producer and partner in Don Mischer Productions (DMP), where he was responsible for overseeing day-to-day operations and creative and business development. During his 20-year tenure with DMP, he, Mischer and fellow executive producer and partner Juliane Hare produced nearly 100 events in North America and Asia.

Among the major events Haykel produced with Mischer are the Super Bowl XXXIX and XL Halftime Shows, featuring Paul McCartney and the Rolling Stones, respectively; the Academy of Motion Pictures and Sciences’ annual 90-minute pre-Oscars special “Red Carpet: Live” from 2011 to 2013; and numerous broadcast network Upfront presentations.

Haykel said, “As an entrepreneur at heart, I’m excited to launch Extra Special Entertainment. This company allows me to synthesize everything I’ve gleaned throughout my career—from working with giants of the industry and producing some of the most impactful events in the world to, most importantly, knowing that creative always comes first. Altogether, I’m looking forward to developing and producing new and innovative content that entertains and engages viewers while also helping shape what the medium will become.”