| 
Dick Askin Set to Leave Tribune
Entertainment
LOS ANGELES,
May 5, 2006 -- Dick Askin announced
today that he will leave his position as President and CEO
of Tribune Entertainment effective May 17, 2006.
"My time at Tribune has been one of the
highlights of my professional career and I have had the good
fortune to work with many exceptional people," Mr.
Askin stated. "We
accomplished a great deal together but I realized in the
last few months that I had taken the job as far as it could
go and it was time to explore the next phase of my life.
I am proud to be leaving the company in very solid shape.
Our industry has changed dramatically in recent years and
there are now many interesting options that are available
that I intend to pursue."
"Dick and I have worked together for
many years and I am very appreciative of the many contributions
he has made to the company," said Dennis FitzSimons,
Tribune’s
Chairman and CEO. "Dick has expressed his desire to
venture into new areas and assume increased responsibilities.
I respect his position and I wish him the very best in the
years ahead."
Following Mr. Askin’s departure,
John Reardon, President and CEO of Tribune Broadcasting
will oversee Tribune Entertainment.
Mr. Askin, who also serves as Chairman
and CEO of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences,
oversaw all development, production and distribution activities
for more than 15 series, specials and movie packages, including
South Park, the DreamWorks SKG film library and American
Idol Rewind, one of the most eagerly anticipated first
run series for the Fall. In addition, he was responsible
for the historic Tribune Studios in Hollywood, the first
all-digital studio lot in the United States.
Previously, Mr. Askin was President of Samuel Goldwyn Television.
Before that, he held executive positions at Fries Entertainment,
WNBC/New York and KNBC/Los Angeles. Beyond his Chairmanship
of the Academy, he serves as a Trustee of the American Film
Institute (AFI), is on the Board of the Hollywood Radio and
Television Society (HRTS) and a Trustee of the Entertainment
Industry Council (EIC).
:: ::
::
Tribune Entertainment, the Los Angeles-based
entertainment division of The Tribune Company, holds a diverse
portfolio of programming for syndication, network and cable.
Tribune Entertainment has entered into a variety of distribution,
production and ad sales relationships with such major partners
as DreamWorks SKG, Fremantle Media North America, Hearst
Entertainment, New Line Television, NBC Universal Television
and Sony Pictures Television. |
