Ochs takes over Warner Intl. arm
Ochs comes to the company from his post as chief operating officer of United Cinemas Intl., the joint theater venture between Warner competitors Paramount Pictures and MCA Universal. Ochs will move to Warner in January before taking over the presidency of the company on July 1.
A studio pioneer of the international exhibition business, Hassanein's retirement was confirmed earlier this year. He joined Warner Bros. Intl. Theaters as prez in 1988, when WB launched its bid to "find, construct and operate state-of-the-art film theaters in Europe and the Far East" (Daily Variety, March 30, 1988).
During Hassanein's tenure, Warner has been the U.S. pioneer of the Japanese theater market, while following such competitors as AMC Theaters Intl., UCI and Village Roadshow into such markets as the United Kingdom, Australia, Portugal, Spain, Denmark, Germany and Holland.
