Movie Gallery names Torng marketing chief

Ex-Nike executive headed Jordan brand campaign

By Danny King -- Video Business, 11/17/2008

NOV. 17 | Movie Gallery named former Nike executive Cliff Torng its chief marketing officer, as the No. 2 movie-rental chain behind Blockbuster continues to change its management after emerging from bankruptcy in May.

Torng, who most recently led marketing efforts for the Jordan shoe brand at Nike, will report to CEO C.J. "Gabe" Gabriel, Movie Gallery said in a statement last week. Torng has worked in the advertising industry for two decades.

Movie Gallery continues to overhaul its leadership since exiting bankruptcy in May, seven months after filing Chapter 11. In addition to Gabriel replacing co-founder Joe Malugen as CEO in May, the company has brought on chief operating officer Sherif Mityas, chief financial officer Lucinda "Cindy" Baier and chief information officer Craig Miller in the past five months.

Movie Gallery has tried to boost its financial performance by boosting exposure of its Hollywood Video brand in the western U.S., while shedding some of its debt by converting some of its notes to equity.