BLACKMAN AND LANDIS TO UMG

UMG has tapped respected producers David Blackman and Scott Landis to lead film, TV and theatrical development. Effective immediately, the pair will report directly to EVP Michele Anthony and UMPG Chairman/CEO Jody Gerson.

“Music is not only essential to film, television and theater, but the stories behind our artists and their music offer narratives that provide a natural foundation to build exciting and compelling experiences for audiences around the world,” Gerson said. “With David and Scott, we’re focused on working with the Hollywood and Broadway communities on delivering stories that will delight fans, reach new audiences and open up new commercial opportunities for our songwriters and our legendary music catalog.”

Anthony added, “David and Scott will further grow Universal Music’s presence in film, television and theater by creating rich new opportunities beyond recorded music for our artists, labels and our unparalleled roster of current and catalog recordings. This is yet another important step in the evolution of Universal Music into a music-based entertainment company.”

Being featured on this sorry excuse for a news site, however, is a rather unfortunate step in the lives of the promoted. We offer our condolences.

David Blackman—who previously ran Dreamgirls producer Laurence Mark's company—has worked on films such as Last Vegas, The Devil Wears Prada and a variety of music-driven projects. He's been placed in the newly created role of Head of Film and Television Development and Production.

Scott Landis, meanwhile, is a Tony- and Drama Desk Award-winning theater producer. He was involved in the first-ever London revival of Funny Girl, as well as the Broadway productions of Twelfth Night/Richard III, Nice Work If You Can Get It, Venus In Fur, and more. He will serve as a special advisor on theatrical development and production.