Movers and Shakers of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta: George K. Cooney

Monday, 1 September 2008

George K. Cooney

George K. Cooney - President and CEO EUE/Screen Gems Ltd.; Vice Chairman of the New York Medical College; Media Mogul

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EUE/Screen Gems LTD owns and operates motion picture and television production facilities in Wilmington, North Carolina and New York City. The CW Television Network show One Tree Hill (TV Series) and over 300 films, commercials and television projects have been shot at the Wilmington studios. The Rachel Ray Show is produced for CBS Productions at the New York facility which has also hosted hundreds of productions since 1965. EUE/Screen Gems owns and operates one of the most successful commercial production companies in the world. EUE/Screen Gems, LTD branded content division collaborates with global brands and advertising agencies for the development, production, marketing and distribution of filmed entertainment for all media – including theatrical feature film, television, and digital content for the Web and mobile platforms. History EUE/Screen Gems Studios in Wilmington, NC was built by Dino De Laurentiis in 1984. It operated under the name DEG (De Laurentiis Entertainment Group), until 1990 when it was purchased by Carolco (producers of the Terminator movies). George Cooney, owner of EUE/Screen Gems LTD, acquired the Wilmington Studios in 1996 and renamed it EUE/Screen Gems Studios. In 1998 EUE/Screen Gems Studios built a 9th stage in Wilmington and has recently acquired 12 adjacent acres for future expansion. In 1965 Columbia Pictures acquired a fifty percent intent in the New York based commercial production company EUE. At that time Screen Gems was the television production division of Columbia Pictures. The commercial company was incorporated into the television division and renamed EUE/Screen Gems. In 1983, Columbia Pictures was sold to Coca-Cola. At that time EUE/Screen Gems and the New York production facility were sold to long time Columbia Pictures Executive, George Cooney.

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EUE/Screen Gems LTD owns and operates motion picture and television production facilities in Wilmington, North Carolina and New York City. The CW Television Network show One Tree Hill (TV Series) and over 300 films, commercials and television projects have been shot at the Wilmington studios. The Rachel Ray Show is produced for CBS Productions at the New York facility which has also hosted hundreds of productions since 1965. EUE/Screen Gems owns and operates one of the most successful commercial production companies in the world. EUE/Screen Gems, LTD branded content division collaborates with global brands and advertising agencies for the development, production, marketing and distribution of filmed entertainment for all media – including theatrical feature film, television, and digital content for the Web and mobile platforms.

History

EUE/Screen Gems Studios in Wilmington, NC was built by Dino De Laurentiis in 1984. It operated under the name DEG (De Laurentiis Entertainment Group), until 1990 when it was purchased by Carolco (producers of the Terminator movies). George Cooney, owner of EUE/Screen Gems LTD, acquired the Wilmington Studios in 1996 and renamed it EUE/Screen Gems Studios. In 1998 EUE/Screen Gems Studios built a 9th stage in Wilmington and has recently acquired 12 adjacent acres for future expansion.

In 1965 Columbia Pictures acquired a fifty percent intent in the New York based commercial production company EUE. At that time Screen Gems was the television production division of Columbia Pictures. The commercial company was incorporated into the television division and renamed EUE/Screen Gems.

In 1983, Columbia Pictures was sold to Coca-Cola. At that time EUE/Screen Gems and the New York production facility were sold to long time Columbia Pictures Executive, George Cooney.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EUE/Screen_Gems

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George K. Cooney President & CEO EUE/Screen Gems Ltd. George Cooney purchased the assets of EUE/Screen Gems from Columbia Pictures in 1983. Prior to acquiring the company, Mr. Cooney served as Executive Vice President and General Manager of the division. He joined Columbia Pictures in 1965 and served in a number of administrative positions before being named Executive Vice President of the EUE/Screen Gems division in 1972. While serving as an executive of Columbia Pictures, Mr. Cooney was also Chairman of Bell & Howell/Columbia Pictures Video Services,an early pioneer in home video. Many charitable organizations have benefited from Mr. Cooney's dedication and commitment. He is Vice Chairman of the New York Medical College and is the former Chairman of its Board of Trustees. He is Chairman of St. Theresa's Home for the Severely Retarded and is Trustee and Treasurer of the Dr. I Fund Foundation. He is on the boards of Save Amateur Sports of the City of New York, the Cancer Research Center of Valhalla, NY, the Terence Cardinal Cooke Health Care Center and St. Patrick's Cathedral. Mr. Cooney has served as a Trustee at Harriman College, the Will Rodgers Foundation and the Joffrey Ballet. Over the years, George Cooney has held numerous seats on governmental and private industrial planning organizations and committees. Beginning in 1968, he served as a member of the Film Advisory Committee to Vice President Hubert Humphrey and was on the Film Advisory and Promotion Committees of New York City for Mayors John V. Lindsay, Abraham Beame, and Edward Koch. A member of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, he served for several years on the Executive Film Committee. He was also Chairman of the Motion Picture Labor Negotiations Committee from 1969 to 1980. Mr. Cooney was appointed by Governor Hugh Carey to the New York State Television & Motion Picture Board and also served on Senator Ralph Marino's Sports & Entertainment Development Committee. A graduate of Fordham University, Mr. Cooney received an ROTC commission and served in the U.S. Army as a 2nd Lieutenant. He is a recipient of the Honorary Degree from the New York Medical College, and the Helen Hayes Humanitarian Award from St. Clare's Hospital. In 1978, he was inducted into the Sovereign Order of the Knights of Malta and presently serves on its Board of Trustees.Most recently he recieved the William Cullen Bryant Award from New York Medical College for his visionary leadership qualities.

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George K. Cooney
President & CEO
EUE/Screen Gems Ltd.

George Cooney purchased the assets of EUE/Screen Gems from Columbia Pictures in 1983. Prior to acquiring the company, Mr. Cooney served as Executive Vice President and General Manager of the division. He joined Columbia Pictures in 1965 and served in a number of administrative positions before being named Executive Vice President of the EUE/Screen Gems division in 1972. While serving as an executive of Columbia Pictures, Mr. Cooney was also Chairman of Bell & Howell/Columbia Pictures Video Services,an early pioneer in home video.

Many charitable organizations have benefited from Mr. Cooney's dedication and commitment. He is Vice Chairman of the New York Medical College and is the former Chairman of its Board of Trustees. He is Chairman of St. Theresa's Home for the Severely Retarded and is Trustee and Treasurer of the Dr. I Fund Foundation. He is on the boards of Save Amateur Sports of the City of New York, the Cancer Research Center of Valhalla, NY, the Terence Cardinal Cooke Health Care Center and St. Patrick's Cathedral. Mr. Cooney has served as a Trustee at Harriman College, the Will Rodgers Foundation and the Joffrey Ballet.

Over the years, George Cooney has held numerous seats on governmental and private industrial planning organizations and committees. Beginning in 1968, he served as a member of the Film Advisory Committee to Vice President Hubert Humphrey and was on the Film Advisory and Promotion Committees of New York City for Mayors John V. Lindsay, Abraham Beame, and Edward Koch. A member of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, he served for several years on the Executive Film Committee. He was also Chairman of the Motion Picture Labor Negotiations Committee from 1969 to 1980. Mr. Cooney was appointed by Governor Hugh Carey to the New York State Television & Motion Picture Board and also served on Senator Ralph Marino's Sports & Entertainment Development Committee.

A graduate of Fordham University, Mr. Cooney received an ROTC commission and served in the U.S. Army as a 2nd Lieutenant. He is a recipient of the Honorary Degree from the New York Medical College, and the Helen Hayes Humanitarian Award from St. Clare's Hospital. In 1978, he was inducted into the Sovereign Order of the Knights of Malta and presently serves on its Board of Trustees.Most recently he recieved the William Cullen Bryant Award from New York Medical College for his visionary leadership qualities.

http://www.euescreengems.com/people/gcooney.html (Proof Positive)