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Tag: MGM

  • Perry Stahman appointed MGM president, domestic theatrical marketing

    Perry Stahman appointed MGM president, domestic theatrical marketing

    MUMBAI: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (MGM) has named Perry Stahman as president, Domestic Theatrical Marketing.

    Stahman will report directly to MGM COO Rick Sands. Stahman is a seasoned marketing executive who brings extensive experience from 20th Century Fox, Miramax Films, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and Sony Pictures to the newly created position.

    Stahman takes on the responsibility for supervising all theatrical marketing activities for MGM’s theatrical distribution unit, unveiled as part of MGM’s revitalization strategy in March. The release of several high profile films this year will kick off MGM’s domestic theatrical distribution business in North America, states an official release.’

    Chairman and CEO Harry E. Sloan said, “As part of the marketing team which released Hannibal, Legally Blonde, Barbershop and Heartbreakers, just to name a few, we are delighted to welcome Perry back into the MGM family. Perry’s experience, both in terms of the roster of studios where he has worked and the number of marketing successes he has achieved, will be of tremendous benefit as MGM readies for this new chapter in studio history. We are thrilled to have an executive of Perry’s caliber on our team and leading the marketing efforts for our new slate of films. ”

    MGM COO Rick Sands added: “Marketing is an extremely important function for any studio and we are confident that Perry has the skill, talent and knowledge to make our films big hits with audiences. Having overseen the marketing for a number of high profile films, Perry’s extensive experience encompasses a wide spectrum of film genres and styles as well as different studio environments, which will be a great asset in marketing our well rounded slate of new theatrical releases. I am pleased to welcome him to MGM.”

    “I am excited to be an integral part of MGM’s groundbreaking effort to craft a new model for theatrical distribution, breaking from the bounds of the traditional studio system. I’m energized by the opportunity and look forward to helping MGM establish a fresh and effective new approach to film marketing,”said Stahman.

    Stahman comes from MGM from 20th Century Fox in Los Angeles, where he served as SVP, Creative Advertising since 2004. During his tenure at Fox, Stahman worked on the release of such films as Fantastic Four, Big Momma’s House 2, Transporter 2, Family Stone and Date Movie. Prior to this, Stahman served as SVP, Creative Advertising at Miramax Films. Joining Miramax in June 2002, Stahman created campaigns for Chicago, Kill Bill Volume 1 & 2, Hero and Gangs of New York.

    In February 1997, Stahman joined Sony Pictures as manager, Creative Advertising and worked on Men In Black,Air Force One, As Good As It Gets, Stepmom and The Mask of Zorro. Three years later, he joined Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer as vice president, Creative Advertising.

  • Comcast, Sony Pictures to thrill audiences with new horror network

    Comcast, Sony Pictures to thrill audiences with new horror network

    MUMBAI: Comcast and Sony Pictures Entertainment unveiled plans to premiere a new Horror and Thriller multi-platform network on Halloween, 31 October, 2006.

    Plans for the new advertising-supported network were unveiled by Comcast president emerging networks Diane Robina and Sony Pictures Television president Steve Mosko.
    The network will captivate fear seekers and fans of the horror film genre – one of the fastest-growing genres at the box office. It will debut on video on demand and the internet at launch, and will add a wireless platform in the future. The channel is the first multi-platform network that leverages the combined assets of the Sony and MGM libraries, which make up the largest collection of its kind in the world. Comcast and Sony announced their intent to create new distribution platforms for this content when the companies and other investors purchased the MGM library last year.
    Horror and thriller films have emerged on the mainstream film scene in the last several years with box office numbers skyrocketing. Twenty per cent of the feature films released by major studios in 2005 were in this category, and one in three of those debuted at number one at the box office. The genre, which now features top Hollywood stars and grosses more than $1 billion a year, has a growing fan base in the sought-after 18-34 demographic.

    “Horror fans not only like this genre, they are passionate about it. This is the first channel of its kind devoted solely to serving this expanding audience and a great advertising opportunity to reach this demographic. The number of horror fans is growing exponentially, and they are hungry for this kind of multimedia experience. This is the perfect time and the ideal platform to introduce a dedicated horror experience,” said Robina.

    “We are excited to be launching the first of our joint channels with our partners at Comcast. More and more people are looking to a variety of sources for their entertainment, and this new channel will be available on multiple platforms simultaneously, redefining the idea of what a network is,” said Mosko.

    The network will feature film and TV contemporary thrillers, suspense dramas, horror titles and more on Comcast’s On Demand service on 31 October and will launch its multimedia fan website the same day.

    “The depth of offerings available from the Sony and MGM libraries is unparalleled. We have hundreds of titles at our disposal to satisfy every thrill seeker,” added Robina.

    Horror movie fans will get the online experience they want through a video-rich, multimedia online environment that will become the horror destination for the fan community, and will include: exclusive horror outtakes, music downloads, a scream fest, original animation and behind-the- scenes footage. The network will add a wireless component that will feature horror ringtones, sound effects and other features designed specifically for the mobile experience.

    The companies will announce the new network’s name and additional details about the multimedia content in the coming months.

  • MGM to launch new media division

    MGM to launch new media division

    MUMBAI: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios (MGM) has launched a new media division. Douglas A. Lee will oversee the new unit as executive VP.

    Lee will oversee MGM’s digital distribution strategy. He will also spearhead the studio’s broadband and wireless efforts and shepherd new digital media growth.

    MGM chairman, CEO Harry E. Sloan said, “MGM will be making significant moves in terms of new platforms, ranging from TV and the Internet to wireless, mobile and more. Doug has a wealth of senior management experience culled from several major media companies including Fox, HBO and Universal. This and his proven track record in new media will be a great benefit and addition to MGM’s already outstanding team. I am thrilled to have him at the helm as we capitalise on the myriad opportunities in the digital space.”

    MGM COO Rick Sands says, “Doug is an expert at navigating the new media space and identifying key opportunities. He will also be working closely with our strategic partner, Sony Corporation of America, which is at the forefront of Blu-ray and major electronic and digital initiatives.”

    Lee says, “There are numerous opportunities to grow and extend the MGM brand in the new media age. We will look to mine the library for new opportunities and also create new productions and initiatives for the plethora of new media opportunities that currently exist, as well as plan for new and emerging possibilities.”

    With over 20 years experience as a senior executive in the global entertainment business, Lee’s career highlights include the launch of HD Cinema 10 for Voom, the creation of Noggin, the first educational children’s network and a joint venture between Sesame Workshop and Nickelodeon; a founder of Crime, a broadband platform that was sold to USA Cable; and he was instrumental in spearheading News Corp.’s acquisition of Star-TV.

  • Zee English and Movies launched

    Zee English and Movies launched

    Two English entertainment channels were launched on 15 March by Zee Telefilms chairman Subhash Chandra and Chief Executive R.K. Singh in Mumbai. Zee Movies and Zee English will be offering fierce competition to Star World, Star Movies and HBO. Or at least so hopes the Zee Telefilms management.

    The two channels are aiming at the niche but relatively large English speaking and understanding audiences in India and also lovers of B-grade movies and some up-to-date series from the US market. The launch coincides with the launch of the preview broadcast of global movie champ HBO over India.

    Zee English and Zee Movies are free to air currently but will be encrypted as part of the Zee digital bouquet. The company is bringing in a small batch of Philips IRDs to seed the market until the transition to a digital bouquet.

    Both the channels are airing a mix of eighties, nineties, and even the most recent season’s programming from the US. On offer are series such as ER, Friends, The David Letterman show, Here’s Lucy, Central Park West, Three’s Company, Charlie Chaplin, Twilight Zone etc on Zee English.

    In a bid to raise the hackles of Zee TV’s former partner Star TV, the programming team has decided to air the consignment of Friends episodes it has the rights to just half an hour before it is aired on Star World.

    The software for Zee Movies has been acquired from MGM, Pearson, Carlton, Fremantle, Diskovery, and Passport International. Some of the titles on offer include: Quest, Kazaam, Evil Dead, Leon.

    Chandra points out that there will be a dedicated effort from the Zee Telefilms programming team to produce English language software which will find a market internationally. “Instead of importing software from foreign countries, we will develop our own content which will find buyers not only in India but also in the global village,” he says.

    Singh believes that the two English channels will break even in the next two to three years like any other Hindi entertainment channel.

    Will he have to eat his words in two years time?

    “Unlikely,” says Chandra. “Ultimately it will be the consumer who will decide. And we are confident we will help him decide in our favour.”