One of Hoyts’ longest serving executives, Frank Perikleous, director of programming for Australia and New Zealand, is leaving the company on Friday.
The highly-regarded Perikleous has worked for Hoyts for 24 years, through multiple ownership structures and management teams.
Hoyts CEO Damian Keogh tells IF that Perikleous’ departure is part of a “further restructuring” of the Hoyts Group. That has entailed about 20 redundancies including chief operating officer Matthew Liebmann, chief marketing and digital officer Crispin Tristram and general manager – digital content Linda Hickey, and the shelving of the VOD service Hoyts Stream.
Pacific Equity Partners, which controls the funds that own Hoyts, is planning an IPO later this year, aiming to raise about $700 million.
Keogh declined to say who will run programming, indicating that will be announced in a few weeks.
Perikleous began his career at Hoyts Warrawong in 1990 and became manager of that location in 1996. He was appointed regional manager for Sydney City in 1999.
In 2002 he joined the head office as national film programmer. In 2008 he was promoted to director of film and operations for Australia and New Zealand.
“Frank has seen the industry evolve from single screen venues, to multiplexes – from 35mm projection through the digital conversion and the introduction of 3D,” Keogh said in a note to the industry. “We thank him for his enormous contribution and dedication to the company and wish him all the best in the future."