Hyde To Helm Film Roman

files/pictures/picture-35.jpgFilm Roman's Board of Directors has finished their search for a new CEO and
president with the naming of veteran industry exec John Hyde to the
position. Hyde's expertise ranges from work in television, film, music and
new media. By replacing former CEO/pres. David Pritchard, Hyde steps into a
position with promise and heightened pressure. Besides producing THE
SIMPSONS and KING OF THE HILL, over seeing various live-action film
productions, and coddling their infant on-line channel Level13.com, Hyde
must deal with the pressures of a position many Film Roman employees didn't
want to see vacated by Pritchard. Dozens of Film Roman employees signed
petitions protesting Pritchard's termination after two years at the head of
the company. However, since the business went public in 1996, Film Roman
has teetered in the red. With the recent third quarter decrease in revenue
of 32% or US$1.7 million, Hyde may have been brought in strictly due to
financial concerns. Hyde has overseen films such as FLIGHT OF THE NAVIGATOR
and the award-winning DAS BOOT, and television shows such as MIGHTY MOUSE
and HOMICIDE. However, Hyde's main success may have been as chairman and
CEO of MCEG Sterling Inc. where he spearheaded a complex four-way merger
between MCEG Sterling, Orion Pictures Corp., Actava Group Inc, and the
telecommunications group comprised of Metromedia International and the vice
chairman and CEO of Producers Sales Organization. No doubt Hyde's top
priority will be to make Film Roman more profitable.