NEW YORK, Sept. 15, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Madison Square Garden Company (Nasdaq: MSG ) today announced that David Goodman, a well-respected media and entertainment executive with more than 25 years of experience in original programming, distribution, new media, advertising, marketing and new business development, has been named president of productions and live entertainment, effective September 22, 2014. Mr. Goodman joins the Company from CBS, where he most recently served as president of Live Experiences. He will report to MSG President and Chief Executive Officer, Tad Smith.
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In this new role, Mr. Goodman will oversee MSG Entertainment's premier productions and franchises, including the Radio City Christmas Spectacular in New York and other markets, as well as the company's new large scale theatrical production, which is set to debut in spring 2015. He will also be responsible for new business development, including launching new productions at MSG venues: The Garden, The Theater at Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, the Beacon Theatre, the Forum in Inglewood, CA and the Chicago Theatre. In addition, Mr. Goodman will be charged with extending MSGE productions and events into new markets and expanding the Rockettes brand. Other responsibilities will include overseeing the development and execution of strategies that maximize the impact and success of MSGE's live event marketing, sponsorship, group sales and merchandising.
"We are pleased to welcome David to MSG Entertainment, one of the country's leading live entertainment organizations and home to one of the most beloved live event traditions in America, the Radio City Christmas Spectacular," said Mr. Smith. "David brings considerable experience as a successful and innovative leader in live events, and his expertise will be instrumental as we strengthen and build upon our roster of iconic live entertainment assets."
"As a producer and programmer, I am thrilled to join The Madison Square Garden Company and look forward to working with Jim Dolan, Tad and their outstanding management team," said Mr. Goodman. "Having the opportunity to further develop and grow MSG's iconic brands and create new productions for its legendary venues is extremely exciting."
Before joining MSG, Mr. Goodman spent 12 years at CBS, leading various divisions of the company, most recently as president of CBS Live Experiences. In this role, he leveraged CBS assets and brands to develop a new live experiences division. Prior to this, Mr. Goodman held the position of president, CBS Interactive Music Group, where he oversaw consumer/digital music properties that included Last.fm, MetroLyrics and Radio.com. During that time, he also created and produced the award-winning "Live on Letterman," one of the web's most successful live music series.
Mr. Goodman joined CBA Radio from Lockstream, where he served as CEO. Previously, Mr. Goodman spent six years at the Warner Music Group, WarnerVision Entertainment and Warner Bros. While there, he led the drive to produce over 1,100 hours of original programming, making the division one of the leading distributors of music programming in the world. He was responsible for creating VH1's long-running "Hard Rock Live" music series, which included a first-ever global marketing sponsorship for American Express. Mr. Goodman also launched the series "Russell Simmons One World Music Beat," Telemundo's "Tu Ritmo" and the Emmy-nominated "An Evening with Michael Crawford" on Public Television, as well as numerous other series and specials.
Mr. Goodman was also responsible for launching Saban Entertainment's domestic television division. As senior vice president, domestic television, overseeing marketing, distribution and home video, Mr. Goodman was a key player behind the innovative strategy that catapulted the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers into a global phenomenon. He also developed and launched the popular and long-running tween girl series, "Sweet Valley High," as well as developed and oversaw Saban's programming partnership with UPN.
Mr. Goodman received a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Indiana University.
The Madison Square Garden Company is a fully-integrated sports, media and entertainment business. The Company is comprised of three business segments: MSG Sports, MSG Media and MSG Entertainment, which are strategically aligned to work together to drive the Company's overall business, which is built on a foundation of iconic venues and compelling content that the company creates, produces, presents and/or distributes through its programming networks and other media assets. MSG Sports owns and operates the following sports franchises: the New York Knicks (NBA), the New York Rangers (NHL), the New York Liberty (WNBA), the Westchester Knicks (NBADL) and the Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL). MSG Sports also features the presentation of a wide variety of live sporting events including professional boxing, college basketball, bull riding and tennis. MSG Media is a leader in production and content development for multiple distribution platforms, including content originating from the Company's venues. MSG Media's television networks consist of regional sports networks, MSG Network and MSG+, collectively referred to as MSG Networks. MSG Entertainment is one of the country's leaders in live entertainment. MSG Entertainment creates, produces and/or presents a variety of live productions, including the Radio City Christmas Spectacular featuring the Rockettes. MSG Entertainment also presents or hosts other live entertainment events such as concerts, family shows and special events in the Company's diverse collection of venues. These venues consist of Madison Square Garden, The Theater at Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, the Beacon Theatre, the Forum in Inglewood, CA, The Chicago Theatre, and the Wang Theatre in Boston, MA. More information is available at www.themadisonsquaregardencompany.com .
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CONTACT: Mikyl Cordova Mikyl.cordova@msg.com / 212-631-4337 Kimberly Kerns Kimberly.kerns@msg.com / 212-465-6442
