Participant Media CEO Jim Berk steps down

Jim Berk, chief executive of Beverly Hills entertainment company Participant Media, said on Friday that he is resigning after eight years.

The company said its founder and chairman Jeff Skoll will serve as interim CEO while Participant looks for a permanent replacement for Berk, 55. Berk’s resignation took effect immediately, and was disclosed to employees in a Friday morning email.

Participant, known for developing and funding films and waging campaigns for social good, recently launched a strategic review by consulting firm McKinsey & Co.

Skoll, a billionaire and former EBay chief executive, said in a statement he remains “committed to inspiring and compelling social change to the world’s most pressing problems through the power of great stories and engaging our audiences to take meaningful action.”

Its film projects have included message movies such as “Food Inc.,” “The Kite Runner” and “The Help,” and it also had a hand in the Edward Snowden documentary “CitizenFour.”

Skoll has indicated that he wants to grow the company by making more content and doing more business internationally.

It’s non-film ventures have included digital magazine TakePart, launched in 2009, and cable network Pivot, created in 2013.

“It has been a tremendous privilege to lead Participant Media,” said Berk in a statement. “I am incredibly proud of our collective work to drive change through entertainment, but after more than eight years at Participant it is the right time for someone else to take the helm. I look forward to the company’s continued success.”

Variety first reported Berk’s departure.

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