German Studio Names Distribution Chief

Universum Film’s Bernhard zu Castell has been appointed chief distribution officer of the newly founded outfit that will emerge from Tele München Group, Universum Film, i&u TV and Wiedemann & Berg Film.

Zu Castell will assume overall responsibility for the distribution division and will be appointed to the corporate management team. Along with zu Castell, the team now consists of CEO Fred Kogel, COO Dr. Markus Frerker and CFO Joachim Scheuenpflug. He will also remain managing director of Universum Film until further notice.

Kogel said: “We are delighted that with Bernhard zu Castell we have been able to win a CDO for our corporation who has deep knowledge of the market and enjoys an excellent reputation with our business partners. Under his leadership, we will create a powerful structure for the distribution of our content, which we will continue to successfully push forward together.”

Added zu Castell: “I am looking forward to working with the new corporate management team and I am pleased about the trust they have placed in me. As we continue to develop the distribution of our content, we want to explore new ways in addition to theatrical and home entertainment exploitation and make even greater use of the possibilities offered by digital channels in order to make an additional contribution to the corporation’s added value.”