News

Paul Gardner has transitioned from a consulting role to the new position of managing director Canada.

Effective immediately, Gardner (pictured) will oversee all Cinedigm Entertainment Group Canadian distribution activities including the DVD distribution deal with Universal Home Entertainment Canada.

He will report to Cinedigm Entertainment Group president Bill Sondheim.

“Paul is a results-driven executive with over 25 years in film distribution in both the United States and Canada,” said Sondheim.

“We are delighted that he will now move ‘in house’ to manage and guide our theatrical, DVD, VOD, Svod, digital and broadcast business in the territory.”

Gardner previously held senior management positions at Cineplex Entertainment, Artisan Entertainment and Lionsgate Entertainment.

Offerings from Blinkbox, LoveFilm, Apple and Sky's Now TV compared

Lovefilm

The oldest UK online film service is now owned by Amazon but its roots are more pedestrian. In the early 2000s Paul Gardner and Graham Bosher launched Online Rentals, trading as DVDsOnTap in Harlow, Essex, while William Reeve and Alex Chesterman founded ScreenSelect in Acton, London. The two competed fiercely, their customers ordering DVDs via the internet that would then be sent to them by post.

After a string of small acquisitions, ScreenSelect bought its rival, now rebranded as LoveFilm, and adopted its name. Two years later Amazon merged its DVD rental business with LoveFilm and became its biggest shareholder, and in 2011 the Us company bought LoveFilm outright. Though LoveFilm still sends discs out in the post, it started streaming films in 2010.

With more than two million subscribers, LoveFilm is Netflix's biggest direct competitor in Britain. It has more,...

Eric Lavallee: Name me three of your favorite “2013 discoveries”…

Duffy: University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (Upmc) and Dr. Paul Gardner. These guys delivered a medical miracle to our family and saved the life of my brother-in-law. The Bay Area Film community – My heart has been overwhelmed by the new friends that we have made since arriving in the Bay Area. Their talents inspire me and their consistent encouragement is something I will always cherish. Shanghai Dumpling King in San Francisco – this place makes me so happy.

Lavallee: Question 2: You’re batting 1000 (or 2 for 2) with films produced going to Sundance. What important lessons did you learn on Pit Stop that you applied to Hellion?

Duffy: One of the really great things that has happened of late is that a number of truly talented people have come out and said things like “I am not an expert”, “I am not perfect...

Paul Gardner

Paul Gardner, the long-time boss of advertising agency Grey, has taken on a new role as president of Australian boutique spirits company Asm Liquor.

Gardner, who was chairman of Grey Australia and New Zealand for 20 years before stepping down in February, joins a company whose brands include Rocking Angel, Vodka O and Tequila Blue.

Asm Liquor CEO Tim Szonyi told Mumbrella: ”We’re looking to launch new brands here and overseas, and relaunch other brands. We’ve wanted the industry’s best talent to do that, and we’re excited to get Paul on board.”

Szonyi said Asm is currently working with design agencies Monday Collective and Wonder Mint on branding and packaging, but a pitch for creative agencies would follow in the near future.

“Once we get through the design phase, we’ll invite agencies to pitch to us both in Australia and overseas,” he said.

Recent...

Grey Australia has promoted Luke Waldren, managing partner of the creative agency’s Melbourne office, to the group’s most senior position.

Waldren, who joined Grey two years ago, takes on the CEO job from Paul Gardner, who recently shifted to non-executive chairman of Grey Australia.

Waldren said in a statement: “Grey is already a strong agency with seasoned campaigners like, Nigel Dawson and Randal Glennon in Melbourne and Paul Worboys and Jay Furby heading up Sydney. It is now all about making sure we’re best positioned for new opportunities.”

“I am honored and excited to be appointed to lead Grey at such an exciting time in its history. I look forward to continuing to work with our talented team to build upon our strong momentum and the success we have achieved together so far.”

Waldren is credited with bringing in talent such as Michael Knox, who joined from...

Image Comics' "Carbon Grey: Origins" #2, available March 28, 2012, is written by Paul Gardner, Hoang Nguyen and Khari Evans, with illustrations and covers by Nguyen, Evans and Kinsun Loh :

"...a boy becomes a god in 'Gottfaust', mysterious events are investigated by 'Marshal and Marshall' and a refugee becomes a queen in the tale of 'Raisa', with more legends and secret histories revealed..."

Click the images to enlarge...

Felicia 'Snoop' Pearson is said to be "shocked" at her recent arrest for conspiracy to sell heroin, according to her lawyer. Pearson, who played a drug dealer on the HBO drama The Wire, was arrested on Friday along with 63 other people as part of a sting operation to take down a large Baltimore drug gang. "She's a little bit dismayed at being in a position she didn't place herself in," Pearson's lawyer Paul Gardner said, according to Yahoo News. The actress is said to have contributed (more)...

Baltimore — Actress Felicia "Snoop" Pearson, who played a murderous member of a Baltimore drug gang in the hit HBO series "The Wire," is shocked to be facing charges of conspiring to sell heroin, her attorney said Friday.

"She's a little bit dismayed at being in position that she didn't place herself in," attorney Paul Gardner said.

Pearson, 30, who was ordered held without bail Friday, denies the charges. Her attorney plans to file a writ of habeas corpus and motion for bail review Monday.

Pearson is one of 64 people charged Thursday in "Operation Usual Suspects," a joint state-federal prosecution of an alleged east Baltimore drug gang. Of the 38 people arrested by Thursday, 22, including Pearson, are facing state charges. An indictment charges her with conspiring with two men to distribute heroin and aiding and abetting.

The federal indictment states that since 2008, members of the conspiracy bought heroin from New York and marijuana...

Click to enlarge.

This is the most explosively violent and absolutely drop-dead gorgeous comic I have read since R. Grampa’s Mesmo Delivery, Carbon Grey could easily be the best new book of 2011.

The story opens with the assassination of the Kaiser, ruler of Mitteleuropa, and suspicion has fallen on one of the Sisters Grey – his sworn counselors and protectors. The pacing moves so quickly that it is hard to get a good sense of who all the characters really are, but given the incredible hyper-realistic style of art, I didn’t mind. Personally, I bought the issue pretty much expecting a “stunning-cover, lackluster-interior, indie-comic”. Instead, by the second page I knew I was hooked. This comic practically ignites in your hand from the intensity and passion that went into its creation.

The backdrop of this story is a world on the brink of war, with all the machinery and...

Image Comics "Carbon Grey" #2, available April 2011, is written by Hoang Nguyen, Khari Evans, Paul Gardner with illustrations by Mike Kennedy, Nguyen, Evans and Kinsuh Loh:

"...'The General' moves to arrest the sisters, as the twins turn to their mentors. 'The Baron' has a hand in the escape of 'Pepper' and 'Dina' while 'Howard' is convinced he is blessed. And the 'Greys' search for 'Giselle', while 'Eva' becomes concerned about her sister's allegiances..."

Click the image to enlarge...

Image Comics has announced its new Carbon Grey series. Hoang Nguyen (Punisher War Zone), Khari Evans (Shanna the She-Devil), Paul Gardner and Mike Kennedy (Aeon Flux) are writing the title. The art will be provided by Nguyen, Evans and Kinsun Loh. The comic tells the story of a woman who goes to war with her sisters following the death of a leader the family is sworn to (more)...

Electronic music website Ravetalk has made a Freedom Of Information (FoI) request in relation to the cancellation of the Glade Festival. Organisers recently announced that this year's event at the Matterley Bowl would not go ahead following a reported £100,000 rise in the fee demanded from Hampshire Police compared to 2009. Ravetalk editor Paul Gardner told Digital Spy: "There does appear to be a lack of transparency in the way police forces are drawing up their staffing plan and determining costs, (more)...