Los Angeles – Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (MGM) has named Mary Parent as chairperson, Worldwide Motion Picture Group. She reports to Harry E. Sloan, MGM’s chairman and chief executive officer, as well as MGM’s Board. In the newly created position, Parent will oversee worldwide theatrical production, distribution, marketing and business affairs for MGM. She will be responsible for studio development, production and marketing, leveraging MGM’s library and entertainment franchises into a fully operating production studio. The company is looking to re-establish itself as a Hollywood major with a commitment to develop, produce and release a full slate of motion pictures annually. MGM’s domestic theatrical distribution operation has been on a revitalization initiative since 2005, as has its worldwide TV operation since mid-2006, and video distribution business in partnership with Twentieth Century Fox. Parent will lead MGM to focus on major movie franchises including James Bond, Pink Panther, The Hobbit, Thomas Crown Affair 2, The Outer Limits, Robocop, Death Wish and Fame. MGM’s planned 2008 fall and winter tentpole franchises are new James Bond movie Quantum of Solace and Pink Panther 2, in partnership with Sony Pictures Entertainment; as well as United Artists’ international thriller Valkyrie, starring Tom Cruise on October 3, 2008. Parent was formerly vice chairman of Worldwide Production for Universal Pictures where she oversaw planning, development and production of the studio’s annual slate of films.