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Executive Bio
JIM PACKER
Co-President, Worldwide Television
Jim Packer is Co-President of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc.'s Worldwide Television operation. In his current role, Mr. Packer oversees all forms of TV distribution and ad sales for MGM product including free-to air, cable, satellite and digital in the U.S. and Canada. In addition, Mr. Packer oversees the MGM Channels Group and launched MGM HD, the studio's first wholly-owned channel in the US and Impact, the studio's first Video-On-Demand network launched in partnership with Comcast. In November 2008, MGM launched THIS TV, a national digital broadcast network in over 70% of the US. During his tenure MGM has forged digital media partnerships with Apple, Amazon, Hulu and Microsoft's Xbox for the distribution of MGM content worldwide.
Mr. Packer first came to MGM in 2001, where he held the position of Executive Vice President for Domestic Television Distribution in the US and Canada and played a leading role in establishing MGM's distribution relationship with numerous broadcast and cable clients. He was the architect of the 5 year UPN Saturday Movie partnership and MGM/PAX 's "Night at the Movies." In 2003, Mr. Packer furthered his responsibilities by overseeing all barter ad sales out of New York, including the MGM/NBC Barter Joint Venture. Upon the acquisition of MGM by Sony Corporation of America, Providence Equity Partners, Texas Pacific Group, Comcast Corporation and DLJ Merchant Banking Partners in 2004, Mr. Packer was promoted to Executive Vice President of Worldwide Television Distribution with the added role of overseeing all Sony Worldwide Television distribution. In 2006 MGM reestablished its worldwide television distribution operation and Mr. Packer was named President, Worldwide Television and was charged with hiring the Worldwide Television Group to facilitate handling all forms of television distribution as well as all emerging forms of digital distribution on a worldwide basis.
Before coming to Television Distribution at MGM, Mr. Packer was an executive with The Walt Disney Company, where he spent 15 years working in Buena Vista's Domestic Television Distribution unit, eventually rising to the position of Senior Vice President/General Sales Manager/West Coast.
Mr. Packer began his career with Buena Vista Domestic Television Distribution as an Account Executive in the company's New York sales branch before advancing to Director of Sales/Eastern Region. He subsequently was promoted to Executive Director of the Midwest Region in Chicago, before returning to New York to assume the position of Vice President/Eastern Region. During his tenure at Buena Vista, he handled the distribution of off-network product, theatrical films, and first-run syndication of such high-profile properties as Home Improvement, Live with Regis and Kathie Lee and Golden Girls, along with numerous movie packages.
