Vivendi adds theatrical, drops “Visual”

O'Malley promoted to president

By Cindy Spielvogel -- Video Business, 3/6/2008

The unit will distribute eight to 14 films per year and will be led by Mike Doban, whose former employers include United Artists. The division will provide theatrical distribution and marketing services to filmmakers as well as coordinate P&A funding. No titles have been announced.

As part of the expansion, Tom O’Malley, formerly general manager of VVE, has been named president of Vivendi Entertainment. He will continue to report to Jim Urie, president and CEO of Universal Music Group Distribution.

“Vivendi Entertainment now offers a full array of distribution services including theatrical, home entertainment, digital and TV," said O'Malley. "Launching the theatrical distribution division allows us to expand the services we provide to our customers and improve our overall market position. We offer an alternative to filmmakers in that we do not produce our own films, instead our business model exists to provide focus and dedicated distribution and marketing services. The cornerstones for the company will continue to be collaboration and financial transparency.”

Upcoming DVD releases from Vivendi include season one of the TV series Hell’s Kitchen (street April 8, prebook March 11; three-disc set $26.99). Available “raw and uncensored,” the DVD includes unbleeped obscenities uttered by celebrated British chef Gordon Ramsay. The series airs on Fox and is produced by Granada America.