By Brendan Swift
The Federal Government has appointed Hoyts executive Matthew Liebmann to the board of Screen Australia.
The move further bolsters the national screen agency's strengths in the exhibition sector following the government's appointment of former Greater Union managing director Ross Entwistle to the board last August.
Minister for the Arts, Peter Garrett, said Liebmann has extensive international experience in strategic media advisory and new media.
"His experience will be extremely valuable and will complement the board's existing expertise," he said in a statement.
Matthew Liebmann
The Screen Australia board now consists of nine members: IBM Australia and New Zealand managing director Glen Boreham (chairman), Holding Redlich lawyer Ian Robertson (deputy chairman), Network Ten's head of children’s television and documentary unit Cherrie Bottger, filmmakers Robert Connolly and Rachel Perkins, Animal Logic director Greg Smith, AUSTAR United Communications executive Deanne Weir, as well as Entwistle and Liebmann.
Liebmann is the director of commercial and new business at Hoyts Corporation, Australia. He was previously the general manager of New Zealand's Auckland-based SKYCITY Cinemas; a PricewaterhouseCoopers Australia advisor to companies in the entertainment and media sector; and has also held various positions at Village Roadshow Australia.
Screen Australia chief executive Ruth Harley said: "Screen Australia’s programs have a strong audience focus and Matthew’s knowledge and experience in Australian audience development will complement the board’s existing expertise and help us to grow demand for Australian content."
Liebmann's appointment is for a three year term.