MCA Taps Ex-Disney Film Chief

Former Walt Disney film executive Chris McGurk was hired Monday as chief operating officer of MCA’s Motion Picture Group, overseeing strategic planning, international business, finance and administrative activities.

McGurk will report to film chief Casey Silver. McGurk had been working as a consultant to Disney after resigning as president of the motion picture group after an executive reshuffling. McGurk had sought the No. 2 job under Disney studio chief Joe Roth, choosing to leave after Roth gave the job to Richard Cook. McGurk, a former Pepsi-Cola executive, is expected to spend much of his time on MCA’s international film business.

Separately, MCA and its two partners in United International Pictures--Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and Viacom’s Paramount Pictures--confirmed that Paul Oneile will take over as president of the foreign film distribution arm.

* Jean MacCurdy, president of Warner Bros. Television Animation and head of Kids’ WB, will take over responsibilities for Hanna-Barbera as Time Warner’s purchase of Turner Broadcasting System prompts changes. As expected, Hanna-Barbera President Fred Siebert has resigned. The merger brings under one banner more than 1,000 Looney Tunes & Merrie Melodies shorts. MacCurdy was a Hanna-Barbera executive before joining Marvel Productions in ’87. She became a Warner Bros. vice president that year and animation division president in ’92.