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Tag: Paramount

  • MTV and Nickelodeon to take on larger role at Paramount

    MTV and Nickelodeon to take on larger role at Paramount

    MUMBAI: Viacom Inc.s has announced that MTV and Nickelodeon will become full labels under the Paramount Motion Picture Group (PMPG) as part of a new structure designed to deepen their already successful track record with their core target audiences.

    The two former production companies, which previously operated as on-lot producers, will now join several other labels under PMPG’s umbrella, including Paramount Pictures, DreamWorks SKG, Paramount Vantage and Paramount Classics.

    “After successful 12-year stints as production companies at Paramount, we are going to upgrade MTV and Nick to full movie label status,” says Viacom president & CEO Tom Freston.
    “This will expand their role at Paramount, will better leverage their considerable talent and marketing capabilities, and will allow for smoother day to day management on the lot with strong connections back to the core brands. This move plays perfectly to our company’s unique strengths and will surely increase the positive momentum that we’re seeing at Paramount under the leadership of Brad and his team.”

    “MTV and Nickelodeon are two of the strongest brands in entertainment reaching families and young adults,” says Paramount Pictures Corporation chairman & CEO Brad Grey. “We look forward to great films and a great future with these two new labels at the Paramount Motion Picture Group.”

    “In partnership with Paramount, this new model represents a great opportunity to build on the growing success we’ve experienced making movies over the last decade,” adds MTV Networks chairman & CEO Judy McGrath. “We believe that together we can take these brands to the next level, attract the best talent and material across genres, and really tap into our strong relationships with kid, teens, young adults and families around the globe.”

    Additionally, Paramount and MTV Networks named veteran producer Scott Aversano President of MTV Films and Nick Movies, giving him responsibility for film development, production and acquisitions for the two film labels. Aversano will work on the lot, reporting to Paramount Pictures president Gail Berman. On all image- and brand-related matters for these pictures, he will also report to MTV Networks Music Group president Van Toffler and Nickelodeon and MTV Networks Kids and Family Group president Cyma Zarghami, states an official release.

    Aversano will assume his new position effective immediately, transitioning from his current role as an independent producer for Paramount Pictures. Prior to his producing deal with Paramount Pictures, Aversano spent more than seven years with producer Scott Rudin, most recently as president of Production, the release adds.

    “MTV and Nickelodeon are household names with audiences in every corner of the world,” says Aversano. “I’m excited to embark on this new challenge to continue bringing movies to the marketplace that utilize Viacom’s unique strengths in targeted demographics.”

    MTV Films and Nick Movies will continue to release films targeted to their respective demographics; with Nick Movies releasing animated and family films, and MTV Films focusing on comedies, documentaries, urban fare and horror films for teens and young adults.

  • British Olympic promo to become Hollywood film

    British Olympic promo to become Hollywood film

    MUMBAI: Inspiration, the three-minute promotional film created for London’s 2012 bid, will be transformed into a full length feature film. Moongate Films’ producer and founder Caroline Rowland and director Daryl Goodrich have signed an agreement in this regard with Paramount/Nickelodeon. 

    The producers have zeroed in on the working title Legend of the Rings for the film.

    Relating the story of four young Olympic hopefuls from across the world, the short film formed part of London’s successful presentation to the International Olympic Committee in Singapore last July. It highlighted London 2012’s commitment to inspire youth to take up sport through the Games.This full-length feature is intended for release to coincide with the Beijing Games in 2008, said an official release.

    London 2012 organising committee Chair Sebastian Coe says: “We are extremely proud of the Singapore film as it brought to life so perfectly the vision we created for the London Olympic Games to inspire the youth of the world.”

    “We are delighted that vision has captured the imagination of Hollywood.” Rowland adds. “It’s a universal story of triumph, tragedy and heroism that will appeal to children and families all over the world and, hopefully, inspire many who see it to follow their dreams.”

    This will be the U.K.-based production company’s first feature. Their sister-company, New Moon, specializes in commercials, promotional films and documentaries, adds the release.

  • ‘Lost’ producer Abrams leaves Disney for Warner, Paramount

    ‘Lost’ producer Abrams leaves Disney for Warner, Paramount

    MUMBAI: With one of the biggest television shows in the US Lost under his belt J.J. Abrams is hot property. The man who also directed Mission Impossible 3 has signed a five-year film deal with Paramount Pictures and a six-year TV contract with Warner Bros.

    Together, they are worth more than $55 million.
    With this, Abrams leaves Disney’s Touchstone. ABC later this year will unveil three Abrams-produced shows. Media reports indicate that he had been there for seven years making many shows.

    However what made the difference was the fact that Disney was firm on the fact that revenue from his current shows would be included in the amount of money it would have guaranteed him each year under a new deal.

    Reports add that if Abrams’ shows for Warner are successful the sky is the limit. He will get around 35 per cent of the backend. This means revenues from syndication, DVDs, net downloads etc. His production firm is called Brad Robot.

    Abrams will get around $five million for directing a Star Trek film for Paramount and he will get some backend, should the film make a tidy profit. He is said to be keen to make films that cost less than $25 million as there are important stories that can be told.

  • Paramount ropes in former NBC Universal hand Huntsberry as COO

    Paramount ropes in former NBC Universal hand Huntsberry as COO

    MUMBAI: The Viacom-owned film studio Paramount Pictures has announced the appointment of Frederick Huntsberry as its chief operating officer. In his new role at Paramount, Huntsberry will be responsible for worldwide strategic planning and operations for the studio.

    Huntsberry comes to Paramount after 12 years with General Electric Co., the parent company of NBC, where he served as NBC Universal Television Distribution EVP as well as Universal Pictures interim president and COO.

    “With Frederick’s unique experiences and skills, I know he will be a tremendous addition to our management team as we continue to lead Paramount to a bright future,” Paramount chairman and chief executive Brad Grey has been quoted in media reports as saying.

    Paramount has also announced the expansion of the profile of its president Rob Moore. Moore, who had been in charge of marketing and distribution, will now take charge of its home entertainment and digital operations as well.

  • Amazon talking to Hollywood studios for online film downloads

    Amazon talking to Hollywood studios for online film downloads

    MUMBAI: Online retail giant Amazon.com is considering the launch of a service that would allow visitors to download movies and television shows.

    Media reports indicate that the move is aimed at offering an alternative to Apple’s iTunes. Amazon is believed to be in talks with Paramount, Universal and Warner Bros for the store.

    The market for video downloads has gained momentum due to broadband penetration growing. Apple has been strengthening its iTunes offerings. The company just launched a new subscription service that lets consumers purchase TV shows through a monthly subscription.

    AOL, meanwhile, also has been active in expanding its media offerings, creating a service through which users can download videos and other entertainment content. The company is also busy developing its own online TV properties. All of this comes as a challenge to the traditional retail outlets.

    Reports further indicate that Amazon.com’s store is expected to allow users to buy, burn and keep DVD’s and differ from Apple’s current policy on its American store by only allowing visitors to download for viewing on the computer or iPod video.