Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide has announced that Paul Dempsey, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide's Managing Director for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Entertainment, today replaced Richard Green, who has left the company, as 2|entertain's Chief Executive. Dempsey will take on the role in addition to his current post as Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Entertainment MD at the commercial arm of the corporation.

2|entertain was created in July 2004 as a 60:40 joint venture with Woolworths Group, combining the former VCI video/DVD, music and TV production business with Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide's video publishing arm. Since late last year, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide has been in negotiation with both Woolworths and subsequently their administrators to acquire the outstanding 40% stake in the business.

Dempsey was appointed to Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide's Board last December and oversees Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Audiobooks, Audio & Music (comprising music licensing, publishing and content development) and 2|entertain. He also represents Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide's interests in its joint ventures with Random House (Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Books) and Pearson Education (Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Active), taking a seat on the board of all joint ventures managed within the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Entertainment business.

Commenting on the new role, Dempsey said: "2|entertain is a terrific British-owned company producing some of the most popular and highest quality DVDs around, including the majority of the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ catalogue. Although we are still negotiating terms for the sale of the outstanding 40% stake of 2|entertain, my arrival as Chief Executive is to ensure that the business is in the best possible shape when full Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide ownership occurs."

Prior to joining Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide, Dempsey's career was in sales and marketing and included eight years at Mars Confectionery followed by two years as Sales Director of Frontline Ltd, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide's magazine distribution partnership with H Bauer and Haymarket. He joined Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide in 1998 as UK Sales Director and became Managing Director of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Audiobooks in 2001. In 2007 he was given responsibility for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide's Audio & Music business which was established to work closely with its counterpart, the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's Audio & Music division to commercially exploit their programming, archive and brands.

NOTES TO EDITORS
About 2|entertain
2 entertain is the UK's leading global entertainment player, 2|entertain consists of three divisions: 2|entertain video, Demon Records and Banana Split Productions. 2|entertain was created in July 2004 as a joint venture with Woolworths Group, combining the former VCI video/DVD, music and TV production business with Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide's video publishing arm.

Philip Fleming