A native of Lincoln, Nebraska, Messer is a graduate of Harvard Law School. He launched his career in the entertainment business as Senior Counsel at Columbia Pictures Television in l979.  After a stint as Vice-President of Business Affairs at Viacom International, Messer returned to Columbia where he served first as Senior Vice-President and later as Executive Vice-President of Worldwide Business Affairs. In 1983, he was named Senior Executive Vice-President and President of Tri-Star Pictures’ Telecommunications Group, where he oversaw all theatrical production and ancillary marketing activities for the company.

In 1987, Messer returned to Columbia Pictures as Executive Vice-President. He supervised worldwide television production and distribution activities, and negotiated major international television agreements for the company. In 1989, Messer was named President of the International Releasing Group, for Sony Pictures Entertainment, where he was responsible for all international activities and ancillary market operations.  In 1992, he led his division to well over $1 billion in gross revenues worldwide. That year, Messer was promoted to Executive Vice-President of Sony Pictures Entertainment, taking charge of long-term global strategy and overseeing international production.

In 1994, Messer teamed with his friend and colleague, Mike Medavoy, to launch their own company, Phoenix Pictures. “We wanted to make it a label company, positioning ourselves along the lines of a Morgan Creek or Regency,” says Messer.  “With my business experience and Mike’s unparalleled skill as a filmmaker, we felt we had a better than average shot of developing a profitable film company.”   After months of careful planning, Phoenix opened for business in November 1995.