Anschutz Properties Become 5,949-screen ChainRegal, UA, Edwards Form Megacircuit

DENVER — Top executives of the Regal Cinemas and United Artists Theatres chains confirmed in late January that parent company Anschutz Corp. will consolidate three recently acquired cinema circuits — Regal, UA and Edwards Theatres — into a 5,949-screen megachain overseen by Regal CEO Mike Campbell. UA CEO Kurt Hall is expected to head a new Anschutz company that Hall says will concentrate “on all the new businesses.” Those businesses are said to encompass the new circuit’s advertising, digital strategy and satellite network operations.“I think on the operating side this consolidation gives us the critical mass that hasn’t been seen before in the exhibition industry,” Campbell told The Hollywood Reporter. “On Kurt’s side it allows for an entity to focus on the ancillary revenue streams that have always been talked about but have never been implemented.”Both Campbell and Hall will have their own board of directors and will report to a holding company comprised of Anschutz, Oaktree Capital Management and several other investors. Campbell and Hall are also expected to share the title of co-vice chairman of the parent company.Greg Dunn, Regal chief operating officer, will serve in the same capacity for the new circuit. UA executive vice president Mike Pade will oversee the combined circuit’s Los Angeles-based film office. Regal’s Denise Gurin will be the head film buyer for the western half of the United States, while UA vet Ted Cooper will head film buying for the eastern half.
In Focus - April 2002