Blockbuster appoints vp of Studio Relations, New Media

DALLAS Blockbuster has appointed Jeffrey Calman to the newly-created position of vp of Studio Relations and New Media. Calman comes with an extensive background in content licensing and acquisition, digital content distribution and digital rights management. He will lead Blockbuster's efforts to acquire digital content.

Calman spent more than 20 years at Warner Bros., most recently as evp of video on demand (VOD) and electronic sell-through (EST) in the company's home video division. He oversaw the domestic sales, marketing and finance staffs responsible for the creation, structuring and implementation of Warner Home Video's VOD, digital VOD and EST activities, as well as managed the studio's digital rights management, anti-piracy and technology policies. Calman also served in a variety of other management positions, including senior vp for domestic cable distribution, New York, where he negotiated distribution deals with pay-TV and cable networks, and managed business affairs and content acquisition.

Most recently, Calman headed up his own digital programming and distribution consulting firm and worked with a variety of clients, including Genius Products, The Weinstein Co. and ViewNow. He has also been involved with the development of a performing arts TV network and, earlier in his career, represented numerous European and Japanese media companies in their U.S. licensing, acquisition and marketing efforts.

"Jeff's extensive background in all aspects of the acquisition and distribution of entertainment content, his understanding of new media technology, his studio-side experience and his business acumen should greatly contribute to our efforts to position Blockbuster as a leading provider of digital content," said Joyce Woodward, Blockbuster senior vp of film. "We are delighted to welcome him to Blockbuster and to this new position."