In the annals of reality television, Dominic Griffin is a name that resonates with fans of the genre. As a cast member on the second season of the American reality show “The Real World: Los Angeles” in 1993, Griffin’s humor and unique personality left a lasting impression.
However, after his time on the show, he seemed to retreat from the limelight. This article explores the life of Dominic Griffin, tracing his journey from “The Real World” participant to his current endeavors.
Early Life
Dominic Griffin was born and raised in Dublin, Ireland. He first came to the United States for a holiday, but the favorable weather and friendly people convinced him to stay. Before his stint on “The Real World,” Dominic was a 24-year-old who wrote reviews of bands and television for magazines, supplementing his income with bartending.
The Real World: Los Angeles
Griffin was a memorable cast member on the second season of “The Real World,” which was set in Los Angeles. His good sense of humor and distinctive hairstyle made him a standout character on the show.
Griffin acknowledges that the show painted him as the “drunk Irish guy,” a stereotype he attributes to his Irish background and his profession as a writer. He doesn’t take it too seriously, though, and even jokes about it. He also mentions that he doesn’t believe his time on “The Real World” has helped his career, as he hopes no one would hire him based on his ability to live in a house.
When asked about what he wished had been captured or shown on the show, Griffin humorously claims that he wished the show had captured a wild, fictional romp with Gwyneth Paltrow and Sarah Jessica Parker. He also mentions that he keeps in touch with Aaron, another cast member from the show, and they try to meet at least once a month.
Post-Real World Career
After his time on “The Real World,” Griffin continued to pursue his passion for writing and music. He became an associate producer for two radio syndicated programs, “Rockline” and “Modern Rockline,” and a freelance contributor to Hits Magazine. He also wrote a short film, “Wishful Thinker,” which was shown at film festivals around the country.
Dominic Griffin’s passion for writing was evident even before his time on Real World. He worked as a freelance music writer and film critic, showcasing his love for the arts. After his stint on Real World, he didn’t stray far from the entertainment industry. He took on the role of a writer for Variety Magazine, crafting television reviews for the esteemed publication. In addition, he served as the senior editor at Film Threat Magazine.
What is Dominic Griffin Doing Now?
After his time on “The Real World,” Dominic Griffin found a niche in music licensing, where he has been able to combine his love for music with his business acumen. As the VP Licensing of Synchtank client Disney Music Group, Griffin oversees the music licensing team. The Disney Music Group is the licensing arm for the entire Walt Disney Company, handling both masters and publishing.
Griffin’s role involves marketing, monetizing, and protecting the musical assets of The Walt Disney Company. While he is always looking to close a deal for their music assets, he is also mindful of the brand’s reputation. He ensures that the licensing of a classic Disney song does not damage the brand’s image.
The Disney Music Group is divided into two main areas. One includes assets created for a movie or a Disney Channel show, which they control 100% of. The other is Hollywood Records, which handles all of their ‘frontline’ artists, where they don’t necessarily control 100% of the publishing. Griffin’s team is divided per sync opportunity, with each member specializing in a specific area such as film, TV, trailers, commercials, consumer products, and ‘MFN’ deals.
Griffin encourages his team to be proactive and not just rely on incoming briefs. They are constantly identifying opportunities, whether in film, TV, commercials, or consumer products. Griffin believes that being nice and never stopping learning are the best practices for pitching.