Stunned By Adam Yauch Death, Oscilloscope Reverses Management Change

Adam Yauch’s Oscilloscope co-founder David Fenkel will remain involved in the running of the company despite an announcement he was stepping aside as president

The unexpected death of Adam Yauch on Friday led Oscilloscope Laboratories, the independent film company he co-founded, to reverse a management change of the day before.

A spokeswoman told TheWrap that Yauch’s co-founder David Fenkel (left) will remain involved in the running of the company, despite an announcement on Thursday that he was stepping aside as president.

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“Given today’s events, David Fenkel will remain intimately involved with the company for the foreseeable future,” the spokeswoman said.

On Thursday, Oscilloscope announced that Dan Berger and David Laub were promoted to run the company, from their previous roles in marketing, distribution and acquisitions.

But none of the executives were aware that Yauch was close to death, and the news on Friday caught them all off guard, according to a knowledgeable individual. Yauch's death means that Fenkel will stay closer to the company than anticipated, though he will officially be a consultant.

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Yauch had led many to believe his cancer could be treated. His close associates knew that the 47-year-old musician and film aficionado had been battling the disease over the past year, and he became less involved in the film studio in that time.

But an Oscilloscope executive stressed that the company was self-sustaining and would continue to operate as before.

The three principals at Oscilloscope released this statement in reaction to Yauch’s death:

“We are deeply, deeply saddened by passing of Adam Yauch, an amazing leader, a dear friend and an incredible human being. Today we are heartbroken at Oscilloscope as we take in this awful news. Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time.

“Adam’s legacy will remain a driving force at Oscilloscope — his indomitable spirit and his great passion for film, people and hard work – always with a sense of humor and a lot of heart.

Dan Berger, David Fenkel, David Laub”

In its first four years, the company’s films have garnered six Oscar nominations, including 2011's "The Messenger" and Scott Hamilton Kennedy’s 2008 documentary "The Garden." Oscilloscope will next release “Shut Up and Play the Hits” and Todd Louiso’s “Hello I Must Be Going,” which received major acclaim at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival.

Other upcoming titles include Ryan O'Nan's “Brooklyn Brothers Beat the Best,” Andrea Arnold's “Wuthering Heights” and Matt Ross' “28 Hotel Rooms.”

Photos: Getty Images

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