Dove firms Lightstone duties
Lightstone has been serving as acting CEO of Dove since Media Equities Entertainment Intl. --- the media investment group he is partnered in --- took control of the beleaguered company last month, replacing company founders Michael Viner and his wife, Deborah Raffin Viner.
At that time, the Viners relinquished to the MEI partners their executive posts, directorships and controlling stake in Dove.
Lightstone previously served as exec VP and chief operating officer of Spelling Entertainment, where he worked from 1988 to 1994 overseeing the company's operations, including the creation of Spelling Films Intl.
Before Spelling, Lightstone spent 17 years at Viacom Intl., where he was responsible for the company's legal, corporate communications and government relations activities.
Since March, the Lightstone-led MEI has gradually increased its stake in Dove, culminating in the group's current $7 million investment in the company. MEI now is the largest shareholder in the company, holding about 40% of the company's stock (Daily Variety, March 5).
In addition to Lightstone, MEI consists of Terrence Elkes, former president and CEO of Viacom Intl.; Ken Gorman, former exec VP of Viacom Intl.; and Jack Healy and Bruce Maggin, both of whom held senior positions at ABC and are partners in H.A.M. Media Group Llc.
