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Michael Bostick Appointed Co-CEO of Walden Media

Posted on: Tuesday, 25 March 2008, 18:00 CDT

LOS ANGELES, March 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Michael Bostick has been named Co-CEO of Walden Media, it was announced today by Anschutz Film Group CEO David Weil. Bostick, who until now has served as head of Tom Shadyac's Shady Acres Entertainment, will share CEO responsibilities with Walden Media's Cary Granat.

Bostick, who joins on April 16, will be responsible for the acquisition and development of all future Walden Media and Bristol Bay films, other than the company's current franchise, The Chronicles of Narnia, and a few other specific projects which Granat will oversee. The Co-CEOs will jointly supervise physical production and marketing, with each ultimately responsible for films from his development slate, both reporting to Weil. Walden Media and Bristol Bay Productions are divisions of Anschutz Film Group.

"Michael is a perfect fit for us and we're thrilled to have him," Weil said. "His track record, taste, ability to work with talent, and reputation are all impeccable. Equally as important, he appreciates the brand we've created with our Walden films and has great ideas for successfully growing that brand."

Bostick is an Emmy and Golden Globe award-winning producer, who has produced films including Bruce Almighty, Liar Liar and Evan Almighty. Additionally he was associate producer of Apollo 13, which was nominated for nine Academy Awards, including Best Picture. He has also produced such television programs as 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter and the HBO mini-series From the Earth to the Moon, which won an Emmy, a Golden Globe and a Producer's Guild Award. For the past seven years, he has served as Shadyac's producing partner at Shady Acres Entertainment, overseeing all of the company's day-to-day operations.

"Walden is one of the most distinguished names in family entertainment, thanks not just to its exceptional films but also to its commitment to developing inspirational stories," said Bostick. "I look forward to working with all of the talented Walden executives to expand the brand and create a great slate of films."

"We're delighted to welcome Michael to the Walden team," said Granat. "He's an exceptional producer and brings a great vision for Walden's next stage of growth and development."

Prior to joining Shady Acres, Bostick was president of Imagine Films, where he was an executive for nearly 10 years. He has also worked at Touchstone Pictures and Walt Disney where he was instrumental in the creation of the New Writers Fellowship Program aimed at discovering and developing minority talent.

Bostick serves on the Mentor Board for USC's Peter Stark Program and frequently lectures for the UCLA and USC film programs. He earned a master's degree from the Peter Stark Motion Picture Producing Program at the University of Southern California's School of Cinema and Television. He is a cum laude graduate of Trinity University, with majors in journalism and business administration.

About Walden Media LLC

Walden Media specializes in entertainment that sparks imagination and engages young people in the learning process. Walden creates films, books and interactive media for the whole family to enjoy together. By working closely with the best talent in film and publishing and by collaborating with educators and parents, Walden Media develops stories that delight and entertain audiences young and old.

Walden Media produced the Academy Award(R) winning film The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe in association with Walt Disney Pictures, Charlotte's Web with Paramount and Nickelodeon Movies and Bridge to Terabithia with Walt Disney Pictures. Walden Media currently has a joint venture with Twentieth Century Fox to market and release family films for audiences of all ages. Films released under this venture include Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium (co-produced with Mandate Pictures) and The Seeker - The Dark is Rising. Other upcoming releases include Nim's Island (Fox Walden), Journey 3D (with New Line Cinema), and the second film in the Narnia series, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (with Walt Disney Pictures).

Walden Media LLC

CONTACT: Jonathan Bing, jonathan.bing@freud.com, or Karlyn Nelson,karlyn.nelson@freud.com, both of Freud Communications, +1-323-866-6060, forWalden Media LLC

Web site: http://www.walden.com/

Source: PRNewswire

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