Gene George

World Screen Weekly, January 8, 2009

Executive VP, Worldwide Distribution
Starz Media

In the international market, Starz Media has established a reputation as a leading supplier of animated programming through its distribution of several key properties, such as Garfield and Friends, Eloise and the preschool hit Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!, which airs on Nick Jr. This year, however, the company has taken great strides to get out the message that it’s offering much more in its portfolio than just animation.

"We have aggressively entered the live-action arena through a slate of TV movies and original and acquired series that will continue to expand in 2009," explains Gene George, Starz’s executive VP of worldwide distribution. "On the domestic front, we are looking to build our relationships with various key cable and network outlets from our high-profile theatrical features to our original programming created for Starz for pay TV. These include our successful original Starz half-hour comedy series Head Case and the buzz-generating drama series Crash."

Even during these difficult economic times, Starz Media is currently in a significant growth phase, George says. "Right now, we’re ramping up to handle licensing for several related companies such as Overture Films, Anchor Bay Entertainment and the original productions through Starz Media. A big part of this initiative and growth will include the post-pay-TV U.S. licensing of several prominent theatrical titles from Overture Films."

Starz will be focusing on a slate of nine new theatrical films at NATPE for U.S. cable-TV sales, along with a full catalogue of features, series and animated programming for the international market. For the U.S., the highlights are Righteous Kill, which stars Robert De Niro and Al Pacino; Traitor, featuring Don Cheadle and Guy Pearce; and the independent theatrical success The Visitor, starring Richard Jenkins. Other titles on offer include Surfer, Dude, and a second release of Mad Money, among others. "With the exception of Mad Money, this is the first time these films will be offered for U.S. cable television," says George. "It is particularly exciting, as the combined domestic theatrical box office on these films totals approximately $100 million, and it is extremely rare for a non-studio-related entity to have a slate of this magnitude, particularly in its first year."

George joined the company just a year ago and has focused on "establishing Starz as a key supplier of live-action content, especially TV movies and series. I have concentrated on building significant relationships for the company with major broadcasters, and it is very rewarding to see those relationships happen for Starz. I also find it extremely exciting to be involved in the licensing of an amazing slate of theatrical films in the U.S. TV market from Overture Films; one must be quite creative and strategic to manage the windows on these titles to maximize the revenue."