IDT Ent. announced the appointment of Chris McGurk to the newly created post of senior advisor, new ventures. McGurks longtime career in the entertainment industry includes stints atop MGM, Universal Pictures and the Walt Disney Co. Motion Picture Group. In his new position, McGurk will focus his industry experience on leveraging IDTs assets to build a new live-action theatrical production and distribution arm. He will report to IDT Ent. ceo Morris Berger and will work closely with the companys roster of senior execs to maximize current productions across all platforms and to identify and propose potential new ventures.
In putting together our executive team we look for multi-dimensional thinkers who can lead our company with the wisdom of experience and the passion of an entrepreneur, said Stephen R. Brown, IDT Ent. chairman. Chris McGurk is obviously one of those unique individuals. He has been a driving force of the entertainment industrys major new developments of the past two decades. That kind of innovative thinking is perfectly in sync with IDT Ent.s outside the box philosophy and were thrilled to have him on board.
IDT Ent. has assembled an impressive executive team and has acquired a group of core entertainment assets that bodes well for the future, said McGurk. I very much look forward to helping the company build from that outstanding base. Our goal, in both the content and distribution arenas, is to become a fully integrated media company uniquely positioned for ongoing success in the digital age.
Chris McGurk is one of the most gifted and accomplished executives in the entertainment industry, said Berger. In essence, he will act as our own entrepreneur-in-residence. Hes a tremendous addition to our roster of esteemed industry executives and were thrilled that he will bring his business vision, comprehensive knowledge, and peerless contacts to IDT Ent. With his arrival and the business lines he will pursue we are poised to become a more complete studio.
As vice chairman/coo of MGM from 1999 to Spring of 2005, McGurk had responsibility for all corporate functions and operating divisions of the company including the studios film and television production and distribution units, all global home entertainment, consumer products merchandising, music, networks and interactive groups, and all financial, legal and human resources functions.
Among the films under McGurks guidance while heading MGM were HANNIBAL, LEGALLY BLONDE, THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH, the BARBERSHOP franchise and DIE ANOTHER DAY, the most successful Bond release ever. The Academy Award winners NO MANS LAND and BOWLING FOR COLUMBINE were developed and produced under his auspices and he guided the development of HOTEL RWANDA, which was nominated for three Academy Awards. CAPOTE, nominated for five Academy Awards and this years winner for Outstanding Lead Actor, was developed and produced during McGurks tenure.
McGurk was president/coo at Universal from late 1996 to 1999. He was responsible for all operating and planning activities for the Motion Picture Group, as well as all international operations, worldwide home entertainment, exhibition (UCI and Loews Cineplex), October Films and Polygram Filmed Ent.
Prior to his tenure at Universal, McGurk spent eight years at The Walt Disney Studios (1988-1996), including a two-year stint as president of the companys Motion Picture Group. In this role, he oversaw all business and operating activities including international theatrical distribution, film acquisitions, Miramax Films, Hollywood Records and Disney live theatrical productions.
Before Disney, McGurk held key posts in finance, sales, marketing and planning at Pepsico, Inc. before advancing to cfo of Pepsi Cola East.
McGurk is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences and serves on its Executive Branch Committee and is also a member of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. He serves on numerous industry-related and charitable organizations. McGurk and his wife Jamie received the H.E.L.P. Groups Spirit of Hope Award in 2002 and its Leader of Vision award in 2003. McGurk holds a B.S. degree, summa cum laude, from the Syracuse University School of Management and a M.B.A. degree from the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business.
McGurk will be based in IDT Ent.s new West Coast headquarters in Burbank, California.
IDT Ent. (www.idtentertainment.com) is a vertically integrated entertainment company that develops, produces and distributes proprietary and licensed entertainment content. IDT Ent. is a subsidiary of IDT Corp., an international telecom, entertainment and technology company.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
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