Orion Home Video signs distribution pact with Playboy Entertainment Group

Business Wire, July 2, 1996

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 2, 1996--Orion Home Video and Playboy Entertainment Group have entered into a multi-year agreement in which Orion will distribute certain Playboy motion picture product in North America.

The joint announcement was made by Herb Dorfman, Orion Home Video president, and Playboy Entertainment Group President Tony Lynn and Senior Vice President and General Manager of home video Barry Leshtz.

Under terms of the agreement, Orion will assume sales, marketing and distribution responsibility for the video releases of Playboy Films, as well as Playboy motion pictures which are released under the Eros label.

In addition to video cassette, Orion has the exclusive right to these titles on laserdisc, CD-ROM and DVD formats.

The popular Playboy Home Video sell-through line will continue to be handled by Uni Distribution Corp., a division of MCA Music Entertainment Group.

Dorfman said: "We, at Orion, are delighted to be associated with Playboy in this multi-year, multi-picture agreement. The Playboy brand for years has generated outstanding sales and profits for all sectors of the home video industry. Orion will continue to build the success of the Playboy brand in the sales and marketing of Playboy feature film entertainment."

Lynn said, "Orion has developed an excellent reputation for its distributed labels, and we are extremely pleased to join forces with its seasoned home video staff.

"Playboy has invested heavily in the development of our motion picture lines. Since we're now producing better than 15 films a year, we needed a distributor who could maximize revenue from both the rental and subsequent sell-through segments of the domestic market. We're confident in Orion's ability to accomplish our goals."

Commenting on the agreement, Leshtz said: "When it came to finding a marketing and distribution partner for us, Orion was at the top of our list. The Orion people understand our market and know our customers. We'll enjoy working with Herb Dorfman and his people."

During the first year of the agreement, Orion will distribute eight Eros motion pictures: "Gentleman's Bet," "Hard Time," "Who Killed Buddy Blue?," "Romancing Sara," "Killing For Love," "The Affair," "Access Denied" and "Hungry For You."

Several of the films to be distributed under this agreement are produced by Playboy in association with Motion Picture Corporation of America (MPCA), which is a subsidiary of Orion Pictures Corp.

CONTACT: The Myers Co. (for Orion Home Video)

Phillip I. Myers, 310/282-2572

or

Playboy Entertainment Group

Jim Nagle, 310/246-4000