MGM and Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas Enter Into Overall Production Agreement

CENTURY CITY, Calif., June 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (MGM) has signed top Hollywood producer Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas (PERFECT STRANGER, MONA LISA SMILE, MAID IN MANHATTAN) to an overall production agreement through her company Goldsmith-Thomas Productions. Goldsmith-Thomas, a former partner at Revolution Studios for seven years, has worked closely with such major stars as Julia Roberts, Halle Berry, Jennifer Lopez, Ralph Fiennes, Kristen Dunst, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Tim Robbins among others, on a number of successful film projects.

"Elaine is one of those unique forces in the film business that has seen success as a producer, executive and talent representative and we look to her to bring all of her vast knowledge and experience, as well as her relationships with Hollywood's top talent, to projects for MGM," said Rick Sands, MGM's Chief Operating Officer.

Goldsmith-Thomas added: "Being in partnership with MGM opens the door to a multitude of opportunities and I am honored to be working alongside the company's senior management theatrical team. I'm also excited that, in addition to feature film projects, MGM has opened the door for the potential development of original material across multiple platforms as well. MGM's expertise in the industry, their vast library of titles and their commitment to quality made this opportunity both unique and compelling and I am thrilled to be a part of their team."

Headquartered in New York, Goldsmith-Thomas and current Vice President of Development Marisa Yeres will be joined by two newly appointed Vice Presidents of Development, Ian Mohr and Jared Mass. Ian Mohr, the former journalist, will be based in New York and work alongside Yeres, who herself has spent the past seven years with Goldsmith-Thomas. Jared Mass, a former creative executive with Walden Media, will be based at Goldsmith-Thomas Productions' office at MGM's Los Angeles headquarters.

Goldsmith-Thomas was a partner at Revolution Studios for seven years. While at Revolution, she developed and produced an impressive slate of films including MAID IN MANHATTAN starring Jennifer Lopez, Ralph Fiennes, Bob Hoskins and Stanley Tucci, MONA LISA SMILE starring Julia Roberts, Kristen Dunst, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Julia Stiles, LITTLE BLACK BOOK starring Brittany Murphy, Holly Hunter and Kathy Bates, PERFECT STRANGER starring Halle Berry and a number of award winning television movies based on the American Girl dolls.

She is currently in production with HBO Films and Picturehouse on a theatrical film based on one of the most popular of the American Girl characters, KIT KITTREDGE, AN AMERICAN GIRL MYSTERY starring Abigail Breslin, Stanley Tucci, Joan Cusack, Chris O'Donnell, and Julia Ormond. Goldsmith- Thomas and long time associate Julia Roberts will produce.

Prior to working at Revolution Studios, Goldsmith-Thomas was senior vice president at International Creative Management (ICM), a position she held since joining the company in 1991. At ICM, Goldsmith-Thomas represented such artists as Julia Roberts, Jennifer Lopez, Madonna, Jennifer Connelly, Tim Robbins, Susan Sarandon, Darren Star, Rupert Everett, Matt Dillon, and Spike Lee. She began her career as a secretary at the William Morris Agency before being promoted to agent in 1985.

Ian Mohr has served as one of the most well versed entertainment journalists for both Variety and The Hollywood Reporter. Most recently Mohr held the title of box office editor for Daily Variety, overseeing all domestic box office coverage for all film releases for both Daily and Weekly Variety. Mohr began with Variety in 2004 as a film reporter covering specialty projects with a special emphasis on studios' art house divisions. He joined Variety from The Hollywood Reporter, where he was promoted to New York bureau chief after serving three years as a film reporter. Prior to joining The Hollywood Reporter in 2001, Mohr was a freelance copywriter for Warner Brothers International and Sony International. He also was a marketing executive at Pearson Television in Los Angeles.

Los Angeles based creative executive Jared Mass comes to Goldsmith-Thomas Productions from Walden Media where he was responsible for overseeing several movies in development and production including the upcoming MR. MAGORIUM'S WONDER EMPORIUM starring Dustin Hoffman and Natalie Portman. Prior to Walden, Mass worked for producer Lawrence Bender and writer/producer Kevin Williamson.

The agreement between Goldsmith-Thomas and MGM was negotiated by Jonathan Bader, MGM's EVP of Business Affairs and Barry Hirsch on behalf of Goldsmith- Thomas.

About Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc.

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc., through its operating subsidiaries is actively engaged in the worldwide production and distribution of motion pictures, television programming, home video, interactive media, music and licensed merchandise. The company owns the world's largest library of modern films, comprising around 4,000 titles. Operating units include Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc., United Artists Films Inc., Ventanazul, MGM Television Entertainment Inc., MGM Networks Inc., MGM Distribution Co., MGM International Television Distribution Inc., Metro- Goldwyn-Mayer Home Entertainment LLC, MGM ON STAGE, MGM Music, MGM Worldwide Digital Media, MGM Consumer Products and MGM Interactive. In addition, MGM has ownership interests in international TV channels reaching nearly 110 countries. MGM ownership is as follows: Providence Equity Partners (29%), TPG (21%), Sony Corporation of America (20%), Comcast (20%), DLJ Merchant Banking Partners (7%) and Quadrangle Group (3%). For more information, visit http://www.mgm.com/.

   CONTACT:
   Jeff Pryor
   Executive Vice President/Corporate Communications
   Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc.
   p. 310-449-3446; e. jpryor@mgm.com

   Paul Pflug
   Principal Communications Group
   p. (323) 658-1555; e. paul@pcommgroup.com