Barry London to Head Marketing at New Studio

Barry London, former vice chairman of Paramount’s motion picture group and a 25-year veteran of that studio, is joining new Destination Film as president of marketing and distribution. Los Angeles-based Destination, which announced its formation last month, is headed by former Motion Picture Corp. of America co-founder Steve Stabler.

Since resigning from his executive post at Paramount two years ago, London, 50, has headed Barry London Co., based at Paramount. None of the production company’s projects have yet been produced. London said he is negotiating with Paramount about the status of such projects as “Disgruntled Former Employee” and a “Hogan’s Heroes” remake as he shutters the production outfit.

London said he looks forward to returning to marketing and distribution. “Getting movies put together is a very difficult process,” said London, who will join Destination on Jan. 15. “I didn’t feel that my talents were being utilized to their fullest extent.”

Destination plans to produce, acquire and distribute domestically 12 mid-budget films in 1999 and 20 in subsequent years. The company has alliances with several production firms, which will distribute the films internationally.