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Tag: Michael

  • Amblin Partners promotes Jeff Small to president & co-CEO

    Amblin Partners promotes Jeff Small to president & co-CEO

    MUMBAI: Amblin Partners has promoted Jeff Small as president and co-CEO. Previously, he served as president and COO.

    Amblin Partners chairman Steven Spielberg said, “I am so pleased to congratulate Jeff on this promotion to president and co-chief executive officer. It reflects what he has done for us in both challenging and gratifying times over the last ten years, never losing sight of our vision for Amblin Partners. With our team headed by Michael and Jeff, joined by Kristie, Holly, Darryl and Justin, we hope the best is yet to come.”

    Small, who played a key role in the creation of Amblin Partners in December 2015, will continue to work closely with the company’s CEO, Michael Wright, to guide Amblin Partners’ business strategy. He will continue to oversee company operations such as finance, business and legal affairs, physical production, human resources, communications and administration as well as managing the company’s relationships with its financial and distribution partners.

    Wright said, “Over the last year, I have had a first-hand view of Jeff’s innovative spirit and problem-solving acumen and felt an immediate partnership with him. This promotion is so well deserved, and I look forward to working together with Jeff, Steven and the team as we grow Amblin Partners.”

    Small added, “I’ve been incredibly lucky to work for Steven for almost a decade, and I couldn’t be more excited to help him and Michael build our company in the years to come. I am also very appreciative of the support we’ve received from our incredible partners at Participant, Reliance, and Entertainment One.”

    Prior to his new role, Small served as president and COO of DreamWorks Studios, a position he held since 2006. In December 2015, Small led the efforts to launch Amblin Partners, together with Participant Media, Reliance, and Entertainment One, and a consortium of banks led by JPMorgan Chase and Comerica Bank. He also oversaw the negotiation of the company’s distribution agreement with Universal Pictures, aligning Amblin Partners with the industry’s premier marketing and distribution organization.

    In 2009, following DreamWorks Studios’ separation from Paramount Pictures, Small shepherded the re-launching of a newly independent studio alongside Reliance BIG Entertainment, securing $825 million in equity and debt capital. Prior to DreamWorks, Small spent six years at Revolution Studios, first serving as the company’s head of strategic planning and business development, then as CFO, and eventually, COO. 

    Among other key projects, he led a $750 million leveraged recapitalization of Revolution Studios and its 47-picture library. Before joining Revolution, Small spent several years with Universal Studios beginning in the corporate development group. He began his career in the Walt Disney Company Motion Picture Group.

  • Amblin Partners promotes Jeff Small to president & co-CEO

    Amblin Partners promotes Jeff Small to president & co-CEO

    MUMBAI: Amblin Partners has promoted Jeff Small as president and co-CEO. Previously, he served as president and COO.

    Amblin Partners chairman Steven Spielberg said, “I am so pleased to congratulate Jeff on this promotion to president and co-chief executive officer. It reflects what he has done for us in both challenging and gratifying times over the last ten years, never losing sight of our vision for Amblin Partners. With our team headed by Michael and Jeff, joined by Kristie, Holly, Darryl and Justin, we hope the best is yet to come.”

    Small, who played a key role in the creation of Amblin Partners in December 2015, will continue to work closely with the company’s CEO, Michael Wright, to guide Amblin Partners’ business strategy. He will continue to oversee company operations such as finance, business and legal affairs, physical production, human resources, communications and administration as well as managing the company’s relationships with its financial and distribution partners.

    Wright said, “Over the last year, I have had a first-hand view of Jeff’s innovative spirit and problem-solving acumen and felt an immediate partnership with him. This promotion is so well deserved, and I look forward to working together with Jeff, Steven and the team as we grow Amblin Partners.”

    Small added, “I’ve been incredibly lucky to work for Steven for almost a decade, and I couldn’t be more excited to help him and Michael build our company in the years to come. I am also very appreciative of the support we’ve received from our incredible partners at Participant, Reliance, and Entertainment One.”

    Prior to his new role, Small served as president and COO of DreamWorks Studios, a position he held since 2006. In December 2015, Small led the efforts to launch Amblin Partners, together with Participant Media, Reliance, and Entertainment One, and a consortium of banks led by JPMorgan Chase and Comerica Bank. He also oversaw the negotiation of the company’s distribution agreement with Universal Pictures, aligning Amblin Partners with the industry’s premier marketing and distribution organization.

    In 2009, following DreamWorks Studios’ separation from Paramount Pictures, Small shepherded the re-launching of a newly independent studio alongside Reliance BIG Entertainment, securing $825 million in equity and debt capital. Prior to DreamWorks, Small spent six years at Revolution Studios, first serving as the company’s head of strategic planning and business development, then as CFO, and eventually, COO. 

    Among other key projects, he led a $750 million leveraged recapitalization of Revolution Studios and its 47-picture library. Before joining Revolution, Small spent several years with Universal Studios beginning in the corporate development group. He began his career in the Walt Disney Company Motion Picture Group.

  • Post Murdoch takeover, Nat Geo CEO sounds layoff knell for 180 employees

    Post Murdoch takeover, Nat Geo CEO sounds layoff knell for 180 employees

    MUMBAI: Heads have started rolling at the National Geographic Society after Rupert Murdoch officially took over the company on 3 November, 2015.

     

    National Geographic CEO Gary Knell has sounded the ‘knell’ for layoffs, in what is being called the biggest in the history of National Geographic Society. As many as 180 people comprising almost nine per cent of the staff have been given the pink slip, some of them award winning photographers, designers and editors. The company has also offered buyouts for some employees.

     

    Many of the employees, who have been asked to leave, took to social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook to make public the news. 

     

    In a tweet, National Geographic photo editor Sherry L. Brukbacher said that she was one of the staff members, who’ve been relieved from their duties.

     

    Her tweet went like this: “Experienced National Geographic Photo Editor looking for employment. Fox merger elim [sic] many today. Will miss my amazing colleagues!” – @SBrukbacher.

     

    Some of the others that have been shown the door are National Geographic picture editor Kim Hubbard, National Geographic Creative’s picture editors Nancy Lee Ott and veteran National Geographic photographer Michael ‘Nick’ Nichols amongst others.

     

    In an internal email to all employees, Knell wrote:

     

    To all NGS Staff:

    After very careful and serious consideration, we are ready to communicate how our restructuring and transformation will affect each employee at National Geographic. To that end, please make every effort to be available tomorrow, November 3rd, either in your regular work location, and/or by phone.

     

    If you are traveling for business, on vacation or plan to be out for any other reason, please notify Tia Freeman-Evans or Yvonne Perry in HR immediately, so we can make alternative plans to get in touch with you. If you know that someone on your staff will be out of the office on November 3rd, please let Tia or Yvonne know by 3 p.m. (Eastern) today, as well.

     

    Please watch your inbox for important information about your employment status tomorrow.

     

    I cannot thank you enough for your patience and hard work over the last few months. I am proud of how our teams and our organization have approached and responded to this transitional period. Looking ahead, I am confident National Geographic’s mission will be fulfilled in powerful, new and impactful ways, as we continue to change the world through science, exploration, education and storytelling.

     

    Gary

     

    Then, in a follow up email with the subject line ‘An Important Message from Gary Knell,’ he further intimated the staff with this message:

     

    To all NGS Staff–

     

    To change the world through science, exploration, education and storytelling has never been as important as it is today. We are transforming National Geographic to be better positioned than ever to deliver on this mission./CONTINUES

     

    Since announcing our plans to establish National Geographic Partners and to set a new strategy for the National Geographic Society, teams have been working tirelessly to develop our plans for moving forward. There is no doubt that this strategic move will amplify our mission and message across all media platforms with greater resources than today, all while ensuring the sustainability of the Society for many years to come. Leadership teams for both Partners and the Society will be named when we close the transaction in mid-November.

     

    This is a journey – we’re changing our structure along with how we work. The commitment to our brand and to the impact we make on the planet remains unchanged – but how we deliver on that will, indeed, be transformative.

    Part of these efforts also means making the toughest of decisions about the staffing needs of the organizations going forward. Some of our colleagues will be leaving National Geographic over the next few days and, in some cases, weeks.

     

    We did not make these decisions without very serious consideration and care. We are providing all affected colleagues with meaningful severance packages to assist with the transition. We are also offering some colleagues the opportunity to choose an early separation based on a combination of age and years of service with National Geographic.

     

    Across the board, we are treating each and every colleague with the dignity and respect deserved for their contributions to our organization and to the mission. I ask you to share my personal gratitude and appreciation for these colleagues’ contributions and service. And with the greatest respect to everyone involved, I ask for your commitment to what lies ahead.

     

    Thank you for your collective patience throughout these past few weeks, as well as the professionalism and consistent follow-through displayed every day in virtually every corner of our operations as we have continued to deliver world class science, research and storytelling to a world that needs us now more than ever. I believe we must be bold and we must act now to better guarantee success for our mission. We will evolve. We will create impact. We will change the world.

     

    Gary

     

    In September this year, Murdoch’s 21st Century Fox acquired a majority stake in The National Geographic Society for approximately $725 million. The new entity is 73 per cent owned by 21st Century Fox and 27 per cent by The National Geographic Society.

  • Sam Mendes turns down offer to helm next Bond film

    Sam Mendes turns down offer to helm next Bond film

    MUMBAI: Sam Mendes, who directed the last Bond film Skyfall, has announced that he won‘t be directing the 24th James Bond film citing time-consuming theatre commitments.

    “It has been a very difficult decision not accepting Michael and Barbar‘s very generous offer to direct the next Bond movie,” Mendes said. “Directing Skyfall was one of the best experiences of my professional life, but I have theatre and other commitments, including productions of Charlie And The Chocolate Factory and king Lear, that need my complete focus over the next year and beyond,” he added.

    Skyfall has crossed the $ 1.1 billion mark to become the highest-grossing film ever at the British box office.

    Daniel Craig, Naomie Harris, Ben Whishaw and Ralph Fiennes will all reprise their roles in the forthcoming action flick that is to go on the floors early next year.

  • MJ estate bars members of his extended family to enter home of his kin

    MJ estate bars members of his extended family to enter home of his kin

    MUMBAI: Taking in to account the ongoing family feud, the estate of Michael Jackson has barred some members of the extended family from the home shared by the crooner‘s three children and mother Katherine.
    The estate has drawn up a list of approved guests, requested by an attorney for the son of Tito Jackson (TJ), who was appointed temporary guardian of the children last week, it is understood. Jackson‘s children Prince, Paris and Blanket live with their grandmother Katherine in a gated community in suburban Calabasas.
    Last week, while Katherine was away resting in Arizona, Michael‘s siblings Randy, Janet and Jermaine apparently burst into the home demanding that the children come with them. Soon after the police was called after which the two male adults became violent, police sources said.
    “Given the circumstances of the last two weeks, and in order to protect the children and Mrs Jackson, the Executors believe that it would not be appropriate to allow the following individuals to enter the residence or its grounds,” said an e-mail sent by estate lawyer Howard Weitzman to the lawyer for TJ.
    Randy, Janet, Jermaine and Rebbie along with their children and anyone involved in the recent events that led to Katherine‘s separation from Michael‘s children have been barred from entering their home.

  • Columbia Pictures & MGM schedule next James Bond film release for 2 May 2008

    Columbia Pictures & MGM schedule next James Bond film release for 2 May 2008

    MUMBAI: It was announced today by producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc.and Sony Pictures Entertainment, that the 22nd James Bond adventure will be released by Columbia Pictures on 2 May 2008 with Daniel Craig reprising the role of the legendary British secret agent.

    The story for the latest James Bond film produced by the franchise holders, EON Productions has yet to be announced.

    EON Productions’ most recent Bond adventure, Die Another Day (2002), was also the highest grossing film in the franchise bringing in almost $430 million in worldwide box office receipts. The World is Not Enough (1999) grossed $353 million, Tomorrow Never Dies released in 1997, grossed more than $340 million around the world and Golden Eye, took in $345 million.