Icon UK appoints new CEO, business shifts to production

The Icon Film Group today announced the appointment of Israeli media executive Aviv Giladi as CEO of the Icon UK group, comprising Icon Film Distribution (IFD), Icon Home Entertainment (IHE), Icon Entertainment International (IEI) and Majestic Films & Television.

Giladi, a non-executive director of Ealing Studios, is currently Chairman of R.G.E. Group, a privately held media group based in Israel that specializes in TV production, and owns businesses that cross over with Access owned ventures.

The appointment to some extent dampens recent industry speculation that Icon owner Access Industries was on the verge of selling the company.

However, a source close to the company admitted that Icon UK is refocusing its business towards production and that there will further changes at the company in the near future. Going forward, as has been the trend for the company in the past year, Icon will shift its emphasis to ‘sizeable’ productions in the $20m range.

For now Giladi will oversee a UK team run by joint MDs Ian Dawson and Hugo Grumbar.

In January, an estimated 15% of Icon UK staff were shed. In 2010 Icon announced a lucrative production fund with The Weinstein Company, which has yet to bear fruit, but the Screen source confirmed that the right backing is in place to support the company’s production push.

$20m plus spoof The Biggest Movie Of All Time, backed by Icon, has yet to get off the ground but has already closed presales, while the company continues to acquire through its diminishing UK distribution arm, with upcoming titles including Walter Salles’ On The Road and Nicolas Winding Refn’s Only God Forgives with Ryan Gosling and Kristin Scott Thomas attached.

Commenting on his appointment, Giladi said: “I am excited to be involved in taking Icon forward and creating new opportunities”.