Warner Publicity Chief Takes Job as Paramount Vice Chairman

Warner Bros. advertising and publicity chief Robert G. Friedman is leaving to take a job as vice chairman of the motion picture group at Paramount Pictures, the studios announced Monday.

Friedman, who will report to Paramount studio chief Sherry Lansing, takes the job being given up by Barry London, who has announced plans to become an independent movie producer.

In addition to overseeing his marketing specialty, Friedman will oversee theatrical distribution, video, film acquisitions and Paramount’s interest in United International Pictures, a global distribution venture Paramount has with MGM and MCA.

Friedman had been pushing for bigger responsibilities at Warner, but the opportunities were limited.

“I’m sorry on a personal basis to see him leave, but as a friend I knew he had to leave the nest. It was his time, and he wanted to grow,” said Robert Daly, Warner Bros. co-chairman.

Daly said no successor has been lined up, adding that Warner is considering restructuring the duties.

Friedman, with 26 years at Warner, is an exception in an industry where executives routinely change jobs every couple of years. He said he would have signed a new Warner contract had the Paramount offer not surfaced.

Friedman was involved in the marketing of such Warner Bros. films as the “Batman” series, the “Lethal Weapon” films and “The Bridges of Madison County” and the Oscar-winning “Driving Miss Daisy,” “Chariots of Fire” and “Unforgiven.”