Gail Berman Appointed President of Paramount Pictures

Gail Berman Appointed President of Paramount Pictures

LOS ANGELES, March 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Brad Grey, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Paramount Pictures, today appointed Gail Berman President of Paramount Pictures. Paramount is part of the entertainment operations of Viacom Inc. (NYSE:VIA)(NYSE:and)(NYSE:VIAB).

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050330/NYW132 )

Ms. Berman, who will report directly to Mr. Grey, will be responsible for Paramount Pictures annual slate of films, including the acquisition of literary properties, development, budgeting, casting and production of motion pictures. She succeeds Donald DeLine.

Ms. Berman, who is Mr. Grey's first appointment since assuming the leadership of the studio in January, will begin her new duties at Paramount following a transition period at Fox Broadcasting Company, where she has served as Entertainment President since May 2000. At FOX she headed the network's program development, scheduling, marketing and business affairs functions.

Mr. Grey said, "Gail is one of the most respected and talented executives in the entertainment industry, and her work as a producer has earned her enormous admiration among the creative community. She has a brilliant eye for compelling stories and a long track record of inspiring creativity and excellence, as she demonstrated most recently at FOX by taking the network to the top of the ratings game with smart and bold programming."

"Not only does Gail have strong talent relationships, but also strategic and proven business instincts. "She brings to the studio the best of all the skills she has developed over the years and I'm sure that she will be as successful in this transition as others before her have been," Mr. Grey added.

"I also want to take this opportunity to thank Donald DeLine for the great work he has given Paramount. Donald is an exceptionally talented producer and executive who brought a great energy and enthusiasm to the studio. We are currently in discussions with him about his future, but it's clear that no matter what he decides to do he will continue his extraordinarily successful track record."

Ms. Berman said, "I am thrilled to join the Paramount Pictures team and work with a visionary like Brad Grey. Paramount is a legendary home of great motion picture entertainment and I am privileged to join the great team already in place as we set out on a new era for the studio. I am looking forward to working with my new colleagues and using my skills and creative input to build a great slate of films.

"I have spent an extraordinary five years at FOX and I will miss working with the talented executives at the network," Ms. Berman added. They are an amazing group whose excellence and dedication has resulted in great achievements. I am proud to have been associated with them and the network during such a remarkable time. Even more, I am grateful for Peter Chernin's leadership and friendship and for his support as I begin this next chapter."

Under Berman's leadership, the FOX network has earned a reputation for innovative and critically-acclaimed scripted programming like "House," "24," "The O.C.," "Bernie Mac," "Malcolm in the Middle" and "Arrested Development," along with primetime's biggest unscripted hit "American Idol."

Prior to joining Fox, Berman served as founding President of Regency Television where she developed the hit series MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE. Berman was also Executive Producer on BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER and its spin-off, ANGEL which she produced while serving as President and CEO of Sandollar Television.

Berman began her career in television when she joined the Comedy Channel (a precursor of Comedy Central) as the fledging network's Supervising Producer. She was promoted to Executive Producer the following year.

After graduating with a bachelor's degree in theater from the University of Maryland, Berman co-produced her first Broadway show, the original Broadway production of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat," which went on to garner seven Tony Award nominations. Berman's other Broadway productions include "Hurlyburly" by David Rabe (1984), Athol Fugard's "Blood Knot" (1985) and "The Nerd" by Larry Shue (1987), all of which received Tony Award nominations.

In 2003, Berman was first named to FORTUNE Magazine's list of "50 Most Powerful Women in American Business" (No. 25). The same year she received the coveted "Lucy" award, recognizing "women who have revolutionized the television industry" from Women in Film. In 2004, she was named to FORBES Magazine's list of "100 Most Powerful Women in the World" (#49) and re-appeared on the FORTUNE list (#25).

Paramount Pictures is part of the entertainment operations of Viacom, Inc., one of the world's largest entertainment and media companies and a leader in the production, promotion, and distribution of entertainment news, sports and music.

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050330/NYW132 AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN4 PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com Source: Paramount Pictures

CONTACT: For Brad Grey: Jeanine Smartt, +1-212-258-7437, both of MTV Networks, For Gail Berman: Janet Hill, +1-310-752-8073; or Nancy Kirkpatrick of Paramount Pictures, +1-323-956-5824

Web site: http://www.mtv.com/

------- Profile: Ent