MGM MGM Resorts International

Danny Rosett Named President of United Artists International Theatrical Distribution to Report to David Bishop LOS ANGELES, May 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Veteran film executive Danny Rosett has been named president of the legendary United Artists division of MGM Studios Inc., announced Chris McGurk, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer vice chairman and chief operating officer. United Artists, which turns 85 this year, is MGM's specialty film unit. (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20011119/MGMLOGO) "I have known Danny since his first job in Hollywood and have been extremely impressed by his rapid rise to become a top-notch film executive," said McGurk, to whom Rosett reports. "I am delighted that someone of his skills is taking the helm of United Artists. Danny has a strong track record of accomplishment in every aspect of the business, from overseeing the creation of award-winning movies, to distributing and marketing independent and major-studio films worldwide, to structuring state-of-the-art financing deals that launched many of our films. Danny has all the assets needed to take United Artists to an even higher level of performance. The label could not be in better hands." Rosett's promotion and new duties also will bring a realignment of MGM's international theatrical distribution unit, putting it under David Bishop, president of MGM's Home Entertainment Group. The unit is headed by Ian Sutherland, who remains senior vice president, international theatrical distribution. Sutherland will report to Bishop. "David Bishop has done a magnificent job building MGM's Home Entertainment Group into the industry's best-in-class operation," said McGurk. "By applying the same leadership and results-oriented style that has worked so well in Home Entertainment, I am confident David will quickly take our international theatrical group to new heights." The realigned structure takes advantage of Home Entertainment's recent "clawback" of control over its own international distribution operations. Over the past two years, the MGM Home Entertainment Group has opened distribution offices in the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Australia, serving territories worldwide that comprise roughly 90 percent of the market for video and DVD product. The new structure will allow International Theatrical Distribution to better coordinate with Home Entertainment and with Twentieth Century Fox Film Corp., MGM's partner in international theatrical distribution. "This new approach will allow us to better integrate and coordinate our overseas marketing and distribution decisions, for both theatrical and home-entertainment releases," said Bishop. "It's a smart way to maximize the return on our spending in a fast-evolving and challenging group of overseas markets." Rosett has held multiple positions and roles with MGM and United Artists since joining the corporate finance group in 1994. His most recent position was as executive vice president of marketing and distribution for MGM Studios, a position that included overseeing worldwide business operations for UA. He also was the UA production executive in charge on the horror hits "Jeepers Creepers" and "Jeepers Creepers 2," as well as the upcoming teen comedy "Saved!" and the Cole Porter musical biography "De-Lovely," which premieres Awards Night at the Cannes Film Festival. Rosett also negotiated the deal that brought the Oscar-winning box-office smash "Bowling for Columbine" to United Artists. Rosett graduated from the University of California - Santa Barbara in 1984 with a degree in business and economics. He previously worked at the Walt Disney Co. for five years, leaving as executive director of studio operations, and for KPMG Peat Marwick as a manager. United Artists was founded in 1919 by Charlie Chaplin, Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks and D.W. Griffith as a haven for great film-making artists. Its history is dotted with cinema landmarks such as the James Bond and Pink Panther film series. More recently, its releases have included Oscar winners "No Man's Land" and "Bowling for Columbine," indie hits "Ghost World" and "Pieces of April," and Golden Globe winner "Osama." This year's film slate includes Jim Jarmusch's "Coffee & Cigarettes," teen comedy "Saved!" and real-life drama "Hotel Rwanda." About Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. (NYSE:MGM), through its Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. subsidiary, is actively engaged in the worldwide production and distribution of entertainment product, including motion pictures, television programming, home video, interactive media, music, and licensed merchandise. The Company owns the world's largest library of modern films, comprising about 4,000 titles. Its operating units include MGM Pictures, United Artists, MGM Television Entertainment, MGM Networks, MGM Distribution Co., MGM Worldwide Television Distribution, MGM Home Entertainment, MGM On Stage, MGM Consumer Products, MGM Music, MGM Interactive and MGM Direct. In addition, MGM has ownership interests in international television channels reaching nearly 110 countries around the globe. For more information, visit http://www.mgm.com/. For further information, please contact David Bloom, VP, corporate communications of MGM, +1-310-449-3660, . http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20011119/MGMLOGO http://photoarchive.ap.org/ DATASOURCE: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. CONTACT: David Bloom, VP, corporate communications of MGM, +1-310-449-3660, Web site: http://www.mgm.com/

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