CINEWORLD founder Steve Wiener has died aged 73.
The businessman fronted the UK-based cinema chain for nearly two decades from 1995 with the first branch opening in Stevenage.
CineworldSteve Wiener has died aged 73[/caption]
GettyCineworld is the second largest chain of cinema theatres in the world[/caption]
In a tribute, he has been described by UK Cinema Association Chief Executive Phil Clapp as a “towering figure” in the cinema sector whose pioneering innovations have “shaped the experience of cinema-goers to this day”.
New York-born Wiener – who studied Marketing and Business Administration at the University of Miami – had initially moved to Britain to take up the role of MD for Warner Bros cinemas in Europe in 1992.
Previously he was Vice President of Operations at Pitt Theatres in New York and New Jersey areas.
In 2004, Cineworld’s then-34 multiplexes were bought by the Blackstone private equity group for £120million.
However, Wiener continued to front the company for a further decade as it expanded to one of the top two cinema chains in the country.
The following year he oversaw Cineworld’s buyout of the UK and Ireland operations of French cinema chain UGC, adding a further 42 multiplexes to its books for a further £120m.
The arty Picturehouse Cinema chain was similarly acquired, as was Spanish chain Cinesur Circuito Sanchez-Ramade during his tenure.
Speaking prior to his departure in 2014, Wiener said: “We expected over a five-year period to open five to seven multiplex cinemas and sell it on to one of the big operators.
“Today, in 2013, Cineworld is the number one cinema chain in the UK and has been for more than three years.”
In his tribute, Mr Clapp said: “Those of us lucky enough to know and work with Steve will remember his easy-going manner but also his incredibly sharp business mind.
“I personally was very grateful for the support he offered me when I joined the Association as a complete newbie in 2007.
“The response to the sad news of Steve’s passing from all quarters of our industry speaks volumes about the extent to which he was liked, admired and respected by everyone with whom he worked or did business.
“The recurrent themes of those tributes are ones of kindness, honesty and integrity coupled with enviable business acumen and intelligence.
“Steve was a towering figure in the recent history of the cinema sector not just in the UK but more widely, and many of the innovations he pioneered have shaped the experience of cinema-goers to this day.”
Cineworld and Odeon are the top cinema chains in the UK, with Cineworld having the largest market share by revenue.
Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
