Canal Plus Names Trio to Head Reorganized U.S. Operations

Le Studio Canal Plus, the French pay television giant whose experience in Hollywood hasn’t always been on the plus side, named three executives to oversee its reorganized U.S. operations. Olivier Granier, who had been Canal Plus’ liaison to Hollywood, was appointed president and chief operating officer of Le Studio Canal Plus (U.S.). The company also named to executive vice president jobs entertainment lawyer Richard Garzilli and former Imagine Entertainment executive Michael Meltzer, who also serves as chief financial officer. Canal Plus has been involved with such hit films as “Free Willy” and “Terminator 2: Judgment Day.” But it has also pumped a small fortune into Carolco Pictures, the ailing big-budget producer that recently had to reorganize its finances.

Twentieth Century Fox extended its ties to producers Deborah Shindler and Ezra Swerdlow by signing the pair to a two-year exclusive producing deal.

The pair, who head New York-based Shindler/Swerdlow Productions, first signed with Fox in 1990.

Swerdlow was the executive producer of Fox’s “The Good Son,” now in release. Shindler was associate producer of the studio’s “Prelude to a Kiss.”

Current projects they are developing include “Waiting to Exhale,” “Slow Waltz in Cedar Bend” and “The Last Shot.”

Walt Disney Co. named Jeff Jordan and Peter Murphy vice presidents for strategic planning. Jordan will work in the consumer products area, while Murphy will work in film and recording.

Fred T. Gallo has been named senior vice president of feature production management for the motion picture group at Paramount Pictures. A former Warner Bros. executive, Gallo most recently served as executive producer on “Aspen Extreme.”

Peter Haas has joined entertainment specialist Wolf Kasteler Public Relations as a vice president, and Robin Baum has joined the firm as senior account executive.