Cynthia Semon(1963-2010)
- Producer
- Additional Crew
Cynthia Semon was one of the few PR Professionals to establish media
relations with the international press center in Havana in over 40
years. Cynthia was initially hired to handle all the media for "Music
Bridges Over Troubled Waters," but because of her vast and sensitive
communications skills she also played a key role in producing the
project working closely with the Instituto Cubano De La Musica and the
Cuban Ministry of Culture. Working with over 300 press outlets covering
"Music Bridges Over Troubled Waters" while also serving on the
organizing committee with her Cuban colleagues, Cynthia experienced
firsthand the true meaning of the art of communications helping to
realize this historic event. "Cynthia left on us, and on the history of
our relations, an indelible imprint that won't ever be removed," said
Pedro Monzon, the Director of the International Division of the Cuban
Ministry of Culture.
Born in Manhattan and raised primarily in Los Angeles, Cynthia grew up from the very beginning in an entertainment industry environment with both of her parents who had thriving careers in the entertainment industry, her father worked in film and television working with icons such as Alfred Hitchcock and her mother managed many legendary music artists such as Charlie Rich the Silver Fox and Andy Williams. Cynthia was also raised in a very vibrant environment with both her parents instilling the importance of being socially and politically aware in order to affect positive change fueling her passion to selectively work with people and projects of substance and significance.
Following in her parent's footsteps and philosophy, Cynthia enjoyed and appreciated a successful career in communications. She founded CS Communications in 1992 representing music, TV and film client's. Cynthia regularly advocated for her clients, guiding their success as much as publicizing it. "In an industry not known for it's grace, along came this incredible woman who embodied it," says Cynthia's client, Amanda Tapping, lead actress and producer of SyFy's Sanctuary.
In 2002, Cynthia became Director of Communications for American Apparel, while maintaining CS Communications. She led efforts to expand the company's outreach, labor relations, and sustainability programs helping brand the company as "Sweatshop Free and Made in America" and was asked to speak at a UN conference on Corporate Social Responsibility in 2004 representing American Apparel's progressive business practices. Dov Charney, founder of American Apparel, called Cynthia a passionate fighter for the "causes she believed in, always mindful of ethics and committed to living a life of substance."
It was also in 2002 that Cynthia provided her time pro bono representing Nobel Laureate Jody Williams in which she was also invited to travel to Afghanistan with Ms. Williams for a UN Conference on landmine, visiting hospitals, walking through minefields and witness President Karzai sign the International Mine Ban Treaty.
From her work on "Music Bridges Over Troubled Waters", Cynthia established strong ties and deep bonds with her colleagues in Havana, which led her to form her own company Concerts for Humanity in partnership with Bill Martinez to continue their work in Cuba by organizing and producing the first ever outdoor rock concert by a U.S. rock group Audioslave in 2005. Over 70,000 people attended the concert waiving the flags of Cuba and the United States, Audioslave Live In Cuba DVD debuted on the Billboard charts at number one going platinum. "Cynthia was instrumental in helping my band Audioslave to be the first US rock band to play in Cuba," said Tom Morello, founder and lead guitarist of Audioslave and Rage Against the Machine. "For me it was a life changing experience and one I will remember forever. In short, (we were) breaking the rock n roll embargo and loving every minute of it."
Before she passed away, Cynthia was working to organize a concert to highlight the damaging impact the U.S. embargo was having on Cuban and U.S citizens who could not get life-sustaining medical treatment and supplies from either country.
Cynthia is survived by her husband Marc Cadieux, father Arthur Semon (Eva), sister Leah Kusher (Bill), nieces and nephews, godchildren, great-god children, many loving friends and cherished pets Mortimer and Saffi.
Cynthia always believed that music could help make a difference in peoples lives so the family requests that donations in her memory be made to the Cynthia Semon Scholarship Fund at The Silverlake Conservatory of Music because they are making a difference in young peoples lives.
Born in Manhattan and raised primarily in Los Angeles, Cynthia grew up from the very beginning in an entertainment industry environment with both of her parents who had thriving careers in the entertainment industry, her father worked in film and television working with icons such as Alfred Hitchcock and her mother managed many legendary music artists such as Charlie Rich the Silver Fox and Andy Williams. Cynthia was also raised in a very vibrant environment with both her parents instilling the importance of being socially and politically aware in order to affect positive change fueling her passion to selectively work with people and projects of substance and significance.
Following in her parent's footsteps and philosophy, Cynthia enjoyed and appreciated a successful career in communications. She founded CS Communications in 1992 representing music, TV and film client's. Cynthia regularly advocated for her clients, guiding their success as much as publicizing it. "In an industry not known for it's grace, along came this incredible woman who embodied it," says Cynthia's client, Amanda Tapping, lead actress and producer of SyFy's Sanctuary.
In 2002, Cynthia became Director of Communications for American Apparel, while maintaining CS Communications. She led efforts to expand the company's outreach, labor relations, and sustainability programs helping brand the company as "Sweatshop Free and Made in America" and was asked to speak at a UN conference on Corporate Social Responsibility in 2004 representing American Apparel's progressive business practices. Dov Charney, founder of American Apparel, called Cynthia a passionate fighter for the "causes she believed in, always mindful of ethics and committed to living a life of substance."
It was also in 2002 that Cynthia provided her time pro bono representing Nobel Laureate Jody Williams in which she was also invited to travel to Afghanistan with Ms. Williams for a UN Conference on landmine, visiting hospitals, walking through minefields and witness President Karzai sign the International Mine Ban Treaty.
From her work on "Music Bridges Over Troubled Waters", Cynthia established strong ties and deep bonds with her colleagues in Havana, which led her to form her own company Concerts for Humanity in partnership with Bill Martinez to continue their work in Cuba by organizing and producing the first ever outdoor rock concert by a U.S. rock group Audioslave in 2005. Over 70,000 people attended the concert waiving the flags of Cuba and the United States, Audioslave Live In Cuba DVD debuted on the Billboard charts at number one going platinum. "Cynthia was instrumental in helping my band Audioslave to be the first US rock band to play in Cuba," said Tom Morello, founder and lead guitarist of Audioslave and Rage Against the Machine. "For me it was a life changing experience and one I will remember forever. In short, (we were) breaking the rock n roll embargo and loving every minute of it."
Before she passed away, Cynthia was working to organize a concert to highlight the damaging impact the U.S. embargo was having on Cuban and U.S citizens who could not get life-sustaining medical treatment and supplies from either country.
Cynthia is survived by her husband Marc Cadieux, father Arthur Semon (Eva), sister Leah Kusher (Bill), nieces and nephews, godchildren, great-god children, many loving friends and cherished pets Mortimer and Saffi.
Cynthia always believed that music could help make a difference in peoples lives so the family requests that donations in her memory be made to the Cynthia Semon Scholarship Fund at The Silverlake Conservatory of Music because they are making a difference in young peoples lives.