Toppers: Julio Fernandez, chairman; Carlos Fernandez,
prexy; Carlos Rojano, business general manager
First is
prexy of global networks, which comprises NBC's pay TV nets outside the U.S., such as the Sci-Fi Channel and 13th Street, and now includes Sparrowhawk's (non-U.S.) Hallmark Channels, Movies 24 and Diva TV.
Universal shook things up in October when it upped Adam Fogelson to president of marketing and distribution and Eddie Egan to
prexy of marketing.
With word that entertainment prez Carolyn Strauss would be leaving, biz pundits raised plenty of names as contenders: Showtime entertainment
prexy Bob Greenblatt, who injected some buzz into HBO's long-moribund rival; former Discovery Channel g.m.
Cinemark Mexico and Central America
prexy Jean Pierre Leleu rebutted by saying exhibitors aren't to blame.
Reynolds served as president of CBS in the mid-'60s, prez of Paramount Television and and
prexy of Golden West Broadcasters.
WBITD
prexy Jeffrey Schlesinger agrees: Mip TV's biggest problem is a lack of visibility on foreign networks' future advertising revenues.
This summer should see plenty of fireworks--and not just on the Fourth of July--as key
prexy slots come up for grabs at Hollywood's major unions.
production
prexy Kevin McCormick announced that he was stepping down from his post.
Media Group
prexy and former director of programming of HBO Intl.--thinks some of the previous price jumps might have been due to an expectation that new media and new forms of delivery would generate tremendous profits.
Bob Chapek is now president of distribution; Chuck Viane still handles theatrical distrib and reports to Chapek; former Pixar guru Greg Brandeau fills the new post of chief technology officer; Walt Disney Studios prexy/Alan Bergman, who oversees Muppets Studio and the Disneynature docu label, will shepherd key franchises including "Pirates of the Caribbean" and "National Treasure" (he also guides post-production, biz affairs, legal affairs and fnance); Oren Aviv,
prexy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Production, continues to head development and production of live-action features.
VP, RDF USA and Pangea; John Brunton,
prexy and executive producer, Insight Production Co..; Philip Gurin, founder, executive producer, the Gurin Co.; Ludo Poppe, president, American Division, Zodiak Entertainment
There was, of course, a major turnout of HBO execs, including topper Bill Nelson, co-prexy Richard Plepler and programming
prexy Michael Lombardo, who spoke of the series "walking a fine line in showing both heroism and being unflinchingly honest about the brutality of war."
* Canal Plus, Lagardere and Germany's Beta are moving into production on "The Borgias," per Beta
prexy Jan Mojto.
The odd man out in the scenario is Alan Horn, who has been
prexy and chief operating officer of Warner Bros.
