Former MGM home entertainment president to oversee Sony `merger`

David Bishop has been tapped president of worldwide brand integration strategy at Sony Pictures Entertainment - reports Video Business.

The former MGM home entertainment president will oversee the integration of MGM assets within Sony's worldwide home entertainment unit. Bishop also will supervise the linking of other MGM operations such as international film and TV.

He will work at Sony's Culver City, Calif., offices and report to SPE vice chairman Jeff Blake. Bishop also will collaborate with SPE senior management, including Sony Pictures Home Entertainment president Ben Feingold, in identifying and implementing new business opportunities.

"With our access to MGM's storied library, SPE now has the world's largest repository of film and television programming for these markets," Blake said. "Subsequently, David's strategic knowledge of content distribution and marketing will play a key role in maximizing the potential of our broadened portfolio and in targeting areas of future opportunities for the company."

In the merger closed last month, Sony secured effective control over MGM's 4,000-title film library. Bishop is ready to roll out new strategies to best exploit the content, most notably including the James Bond franchise, now under the Sony roof.

"I am delighted to be able to join Jeff and his outstanding management team as SPE enters this new period of growth," Bishop said. "The market demand for digital entertainment is growing exponentially and it provides us with unique opportunities to explore."

Shifting to SPE, Bishop caps off more than a 15-year stint as MGM Home Entertainment's president and chief operating officer. Bishop supervised such operations as DVD, consumer products, online, interactive games, video-on-demand and pay-per-view. Prior to MGM, Bishop worked as president and chief operating officer for LIVE Home Video.

Thanks to `Kyvan` for the alert.

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