Sony exec rides Tandem position

Scott joins Munich-based company

By ED MEZA

BERLIN -- Former Sony Pictures exec Malisa Scott has joined Munich-based Tandem Communications as a partner and operating officer. Celebrating its 10th anniversary in business, Tandem describes Scott's appointment as the next stage in the company's development.

Scott has for the past 15 years served as managing director of Sony Pictures Home Entertainment Germany in Munich, overseeing all of SPHE's activities in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

Tandem, which was launched by Canadian Rola Bauer and American Tim Halkin in 1999, produces and distributes high-profile English-language TV movies and miniseries and is spearheading the $40 million eight-hour limited series adaptation of Ken Follett's "The Pillars of the Earth," starring Ian McShane.

"It is a very exciting time for Tandem," Scott said. "The key priority is to continue to position Tandem optimally for its next phase of growth, including developing new business lines for the company."

While Scott declined to elaborate on the business plans, her expertise in packaged media and familiarity with consumer demands will be counted on to boost Tandem's distribution strategy.

Scott, a native of Arcadia, Calif., said she would work to "increase efficiency, optimize the creative process and look at what can be improved in the current group" in an effort to better position the company to take on more projects.

She will join Bauer, Halkin and producer Jonas Bauer, who became a Tandem partner in 2007.

In addition to "The Pillars of the Earth," which is co-produced by Montreal-based Muse Entertainment and in association with Ridley and Tony Scott's Scott Free Films, Tandem is co-producing two upcoming TV movies based on Patricia Cornwell's novels "At Risk" and "The Front," with Stanley M. Brooks and Jim Head for Lifetime Networks.