Former News Corp. executive Michael Lang, who helped guide Filmyard Holdings through its acquisition of Miramax, is the prestigious film library's new CEO, effective immediately.
The appointment, which Miramax announced Thursday, was long-expected: TheWrap reported in October that Lang would be named CEO.
“I have always admired the Miramax library, which includes many respected titles and award-winning films,” said Lang, who is 45. “Based on the quality of these assets, I believe bringing new life to this library — by working with traditional and new partners – will be an exciting and unprecedented story of growth and innovation. I am honored by this opportunity, and I look forward to working with my partners as we build a new kind of media company.”
Lang's digital experience will help the company monetize the company's impressive library, which includes such modern classics as "Shakespeare in Love" and "Pulp Fiction."
Lang left News Corp. in February after six years. He had been the executive vice president for business development and strategy, and played a key role in acquisitions including MySpace and Hulu.
Under the new company Filmyard Holdings, L.A. billionaire Ron Tutor and his partners bought the library from The Walt Disney Company for slightly more than $600 million ($660 million deal, which included $50 million that Miramax had in the bank) in July.
Lang worked with the new team led by Richard Nanula in the run-up to close of the purchase, which included the rights to more than 700 film titles at a company built by Harvey and Bob Weinstein and bought by Disney in the early 1990s.
“I have known and worked closely with Mike for almost 20 years and have always respected his talents,” Nanula said. “We are confident that he is the right person to lead Miramax in its next phase of growth.”
According to a NewsCorp bio, Lang supervised business development across the Fox broadcast network, Sports and 27 different Fox Cable Networks.
He also helped coordinate broader, corporate-wide initiatives across Fox Entertainment and News Corporation, including identifying and negotiating potential acquisitions, joint ventures, and other strategic activities.
Prior to Fox, he ran his own strategic consulting firm, working with clients in media, retail and financial services. He also helped private equity and venture capital firms evaluate media-related investments as well as launch a mortgage brokerage firm targeting the fast-growing Latino market.
In the late 90s, Lang was a founding executive for the Internet entertainment start-up, Z.com, backed by idealab, Brillstein-Grey Entertainment and Jerry Bruckheimer.
Lang started out in Corporate Strategic Planning at The Walt Disney Co., working on theme park and resort projects.
As one of the original hires in Disney’s Regional Entertainment Division, he helped develop and manage such innovative concepts as DisneyQuest and ESPN Zone-themed restaurants.
Lang attended the Harvard Business School, and graduated with high distinction as a Baker Scholar. He is also a graduate of Claremont McKenna College, where he is still actively involved in the school’s basketball program.
