Laikin was co-chairman of Indiana-based real estate development company Biltmore Homes, Inc., until 2000.
[citation needed] In 2001, Laikin's group moved to buy a majority stake in J2 Communications Inc., the owner of the moribund National Lampoon properties.
[1][2] From 2002 forward they built media businesses around the brand, becoming active in film, television, radio, and print, as well as building the largest Internet-based comedy network in the world.
[citation needed] Laikin was the largest shareholder of National Lampoon, Inc.
In December 2008, the SEC alleged Laikin conspired to inflate the company's stock price.