Rick Sands, most recently the president/coo of DreamWorks SKG and the former coo of Miramax Films, has been named coo of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. (MGM). In this newly created position, Sands takes on the initial responsibilities of leveraging and managing the world's largest modern film and television library across all platforms, including the new media landscape of internet and mobile as well as the traditional channels of distribution television, video and international.
The MGM library, comprised of approximately 4,000 titles and more than 10,400 episodes of television programming, includes numerous successful film franchises, such as James Bond, Pink Panther and Rocky. Sands must also devise plans to identify new content and channel opportunities for MGM with the company's strategic equity partners, including Sony Corp. of America and Comcast Corp.
Sands, based at the company's corporate headquarters in Century City, California, will also supervise MGM's finance, operations and business affairs.
"I am thrilled to have Rick join MGM's executive leadership team, where we will benefit immensely from his solid experience and great track record in managing and growing entertainment libraries at such leading companies as DreamWorks, Miramax and Hallmark Ent.," said Harry E. Sloan, chairman/ceo of MGM. "Rick has a long history of working with extensive entertainment assets and this is key to furthering the exploitation of our content."
Sands added: "To be involved with MGM is a rare opportunity, having the ability to take an existing brand and to build an even stronger content-based leading enterprise. With the sweeping changes in the distribution business, I plan to bring a unique approach to the MGM library and to create new value and content."
Sands was president/coo of DreamWorks since 2005. Based in Los Angeles, he's been responsible for all aspects of the studio's business and creative operations. From 2002 to 2004, Sands was Miramax Films coo, overseeing the day-to-day responsibility for marketing, publicity, distribution and production throughout all media. Sands served as chairman worldwide distribution of Miramax Films and supervised worldwide distribution and sales throughout all media of Miramax and Dimension Films from 1997 to 2002. Sands joined Miramax in 1995 as president international, responsible for Miramax's international business activities, including production and distribution.
He began his entertainment career in 1978 at Columbia Pictures, where he worked for 12 years and served as vp, distribution. In 1990, Sands joined Miramax Films and was evp/ceo before accepting the position of evp/cfo for Hallmark Ent., where, from 1993 to 1995, he was in charge of the day-to-day financial, business and legal affairs activities.
MGM (www.mgm.com) is actively engaged in the worldwide production and distribution of motion pictures, television programming, home video, interactive media, music and licensed merchandise. Operating units including Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc., United Artists Films Inc., MGM Television Ent. Inc., MGM Networks Inc., MGM Distribution Co., MGM International Television Distribution Inc., Metro-Mayer-Goldwyn Home Ent. Llc., MGM on Stage, MGM Music, MGM Consumer Products and MGM Interactive. In addition, MGM has ownership interests in international TV channels reaching nearly 110 countries. MGM ownership is currently as follows: Providence Equity Partners (29%), Texas Pacific Group (21%), Sony (20%), Comcast (20%), DLJ Merchant Banking Partners (7%) and Quadrangle Group (3%).
