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Louisville, KY - City On A Hill Productions, the developers of the award winning and critically acclaimed small group series, H20 and The Easter Experience, recently announced the creation of a marketing and distribution arm as well as a deal with Landis Entertainment & Media Partners in Nashville, TN, which will place Barry Landis at the center of the business decisions of the expanding film operation. The new entity will be called City On A Hill Studio and will be responsible for all strategic as well as operational issues associated with City On A Hill Productions curriculum and feature length films. “We have been creating film properties for several years,” said City On A Hill Executive Director Tony Young. “We have so many of the right elements already in place, but we realized that we needed an industry savvy person who could help us navigate the business and marketing waters. Barry Landis is that person and we are all glad to have him on board.”

“I've had my eye on the City On A Hill operation for a few years now,” said Landis. “Shane Sooter and his creative team have been creating some fantastic product, both live and in physical form, and I really wanted to be a part of what they were building.” Tim Byron, business manager of City On A Hill Studio, commented further,!“It’s a real joy to have Barry on our team. We have several film projects we are working on including a feature length film and that’s what accelerated our discussions.!Barry has the marketing and distribution experience we needed to move our organization to the next level.”

In a move further broadening its reach into agency representation of film properties, Landis Entertainment & Media Partners announced today they had signed an exclusive deal with Gener8xion Entertainment to represent their film 'The Cross' in DVD form to retail and ministry outlets.  "The Cross is an amazing story of Arthur Blessitt's around-the-world journey to carry the cross to every nation", said Barry Landis, founder and CEO.  "We believe the story is a perfect one for our times and will appeal to all ages.  We are thrilled to be partnering with Matthew Crouch, Rich Cook and everyone at Gener8xion Entertainment". 

"I'm so glad we have this opportunity to work with Barry. We have been friends for a long time and I love his heart.  It's a joy to be working together on The Cross", said Matthew Crouch, producer of the film. "Barry is a unique blend of Christian networker and skillful negotiator", said Rich Cook, President of Gener8xion Entertainment. "We've been looking for a way to work on a project with him for several years.  We look forward to everyone seeing a copy of this wonderful film in DVD form."

Currently the film is showing in churches via a public licensing arrangement with Outreach Films and the plan is to release the home video/DVD in the spring, leading up to Good Friday.  "It's perfect for the Lent/Good Friday/Easter season", said Landis.  Later this fall, TBN will begin an aggressive direct marketing campaign to reach their viewers through spots run on the network along with a targeted mail/email campaign to supporters.  The DVD will also be available to interested ministries and international markets in the spring.

Landis Entertainment has been moving more and more into the film market after handling the theatrical marketing campaign and P&A fund for last year's Billy: The Early Years film, shot in Tennessee. "Nashville has been the center of the Christian entertainment industry for a long time and it's nice to have so much professional marketing support here", said Landis.  "I think our experience in the music industry as well as DVD home video distribution gave us a competitive advantage."

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The coming-of-age story of 20th century icon Billy Graham will be seen on the big screen this fall through the release of the film Billy: The Early Years. This highly anticipated film will be released theatrically on October 10, 2008 across the country. Billy: The Early Years captures the true essence of Graham's life's journey from an earnest young man at the crossroads of faith and doubt, to ultimately facing the moment of decision that launched one of history's most influential evangelists. Starting out with the tranquility of the Graham dairy farm in North Carolina, Billy: The Early Years depicts the look and feel of the Depression-era as we accompany Graham to the tent revival where he finally heeds the altar call, and follows him through the struggle of doubt and resolution of the next decade of his life.

Nashville based Landis Entertainment & Media Partners will spearhead all marketing aspects of the film, in association with the distributor Solex/MATP. Landis, a long time entertainment marketer of faith-based properties for major, high level entertainment and corporate conglomerates such as Wrigley's and AT&T was also the head of companies such as Atlantic Records, Warner Bros. and KOCH Records Christian divisions, has made a solid mark on the entertainment world through his visionary accomplishments and multiple career achievements.

Producers Larry Mortorff and Martin Shiel commented, "We are extremely excited to be surrounded with such an amazing team and have tremendous confidence in their ability to market this distinguished and touching new film." Producer Bill McKay said, "Barry Landis is a blend of an entertainment strategist as well as a great wrangler and distiller of the group's ideas."

Together with Rocky Mountain Pictures, In Service America, Interlinc and other additional marketing partners, the Billy: The Early Years marketing plan will seek to create significant grassroots traction while radio, television and newspaper advertising and promotions will work in conjunction with additional aspects of the campaign. The film launch will also encompass a number of strategic marketing elements, including more than 50 VIP screenings in key markets, a soundtrack highlighting Christian and country music artists, key events built around Graham's 90th birthday, a novel of the work published by Thomas Nelson Publishers and an upcoming home entertainment DVD release.

The film paints a vivid portrait of Graham against the backdrop of his relationship with the evangelical star of the 1940's, Charles Templeton, a gifted young preacher whose faith would not withstand the onslaught of scientific skepticism. Templeton and Graham eventually part ways, and in the film, Templeton comes to personify the rising tide of disbelief into which Graham launched his crusades. The movie's power lies in it's honest portrayal of Graham's struggle with the ideas represented in Templeton's eventual unbelief and shows how Graham's faith, so compellingly represented in the film, goes on to change the face of modern evangelism in the second half of the 20th Century.

Graham is portrayed in the film by rising young star, Armie Hammer (Veronica Mars, Flicka), who was announced as the upcoming Batman/Bruce Wayne in the new film, Justice League: Mortal. Hammer plays an incredibly authentic and poignant Graham, and takes the viewer deep into the heart of this iconic world-renowned yet humble figure.

Landis Entertainment & Media Partners http://www.landisentertainment.com , founded by entertainment industry deal maker Barry Landis, ranked among the 25 most influential personalities in the Christian industry, has launched a new celebrity, concert and corporate endorsement business unit. Mr. Landis, who runs Collective IQ's media group, will leverage the Collective IQ corporate Rolodex to create unique opportunities and bring the large brands to Nashville's door step. Landis has already landed several of the world's most trusted brands that have expressed an affinity for endorsements targeting the Country and Christian demographics and were seeking a presence and dealmaker in town to connect the dots.

"As Nashville continues to increase its stature as a multi-platformed entertainment center, it's only natural that we continue to connect leading corporate brands to the creative community," said Landis. "GM and Coke have a footprint in this community, but we're going to announce very soon a number of other brands that want a slice of this marketplace."

Nashville, TN (PRWEB) – Barry Landis, founder of Landis Entertainment & Media Partners, has joined forces with Secure Path of Los Angeles, CA, to support the Nashville music industry in the implementation of the evolving DDEX [Digital Data Exchange] and Media Metadata Exchange platforms. DDEX is the emerging platform for data exchange related to digital music transactions and was founded by key players such as Apple, AOL, ASCAP, EMI, Microsoft, SONY BMG, Warner Music and other industry giants.

“With the growth of online music sales, it has become essential for the industry to work together to exchange transactional data based on the common DDEX platform. This will guarantee the accuracy and efficiency of billing and remuneration for everyone in the creative and supply chains. As members of DDEX, it is important for us to have a partner like Barry Landis with his significant entertainment industry connections in Nashville,” said Josh C. Kline – Founder, CEO and President of Secure Path.

“We want to continue to offer Nashville labels, publishers, managers and artist/writers access to our ever-expanding list of Silicon Valley and Hollywood clients,” says Barry Landis, “Monetizing intellectual property rights, especially those that have been synched to video, is becoming an increasingly independent function that can supported by emerging systems like DDEX and Secure Path’s Media Metadata Exchange.”

“For the past decade NCTA has brought some of the most prestigious groups of executives from various industries and from around the world to North Carolina. I have personally witnessed the power of the organization and the leadership from its board in guiding the event and the technology industry of this great state. This year the NCTA team was asked to focus on Media & Entertainment and nationally it is hard to find a better rolodex and visionary than Barry Landis, ” said William “Billy G.” Glynn, Co-Chairman NCTA CEO Conversation.

“I attended the NCTA event in Raleigh just last year. It was quite an experience and certainly more than any of us expected. Seeing a Nashville native and recognized entertainment executive like Landis really demonstrates that the platform has grown beyond NC and also smartly recognizes Nashville as a center of excellence,” said Dr. Robert Frist, MD.

Entertainment industry executives who would like to learn more about joining this delegation are welcome to contact Landis Entertainment, at info@LandisEntertainment.com.

William "Billy G" Glynn, Chairman and Founder of Collective IQ, ranked as one of the top innovators and influencers in the world by InformationWeek magazine, commented--"Barry has always been the type of person others come to for solutions and to get things done. He has put together a strong team and will help Nashville stay a leading force in entertainment. We are thrilled to be in business with him."

Collective IQ boasts a "Who's Who" of media and technology leaders, over a dozen of the world's foremost businesses in content, communications and commerce, and has been successful in putting large deals together throughout the music industry and Hollywood.

"I have been keenly interested in the concept of 'New Media' and have watched it grow over the past decade," said Landis. "I have concluded that 'New Media' is not the right way to describe how the industry has been changing.

It's not New Media - It's a New Medium

"Music, television, the internet, DVDs--they really aren't 'new media' anymore," he continued. "What is 'New' is the 'Medium' by which consumers consume the Media. Its important to understand that and why our team is focused on uniting the Talent and Intellectual Property that Nashville is known for - with the communications and commerce companies that now deliver content differently and where consumers pay for it electronically."

Landis' group, supported by some of the world's largest businesses already, is focused on advising entertainment and technology industry executives across a variety of strategic areas including traditional segments; artist and new content development, content acquisition and distribution and some of the newest technology areas including e-Television, Mobility, Micro-payments, Hollywood Digital Standards (ISAN) and The Digital Download Exchange (DDEX) which he has been intimately involved in developing.

Barry Landis, president of Warner Bros. Records Christian Division (formerly The Word Label Group), received the honor at the Alumni & Friends Brunch during Homecoming last week. The annual award is given to select alumni in recognition of their outstanding professional accomplishments.

"We look among our graduates to learn who has reached exceptional heights of professional achievement in their careers," said Department Head Sally Ray. "Barry credits much of his professional success to his understanding of the communication processes in organizations and among individuals. Our department believes that he exemplifies the highest levels of communication expertise and are pleased to join the many groups that recognize his skills."

Landis received his master's degree in communication from Western in 1976. Before joining Warner Bros., he was vice president/general manager of Atlantic Records Christian Division and vice president for marketing and promotions for Warner Alliance.

His marketing plans have sold more than 15 million records and have been responsible for more than 50 No. 1 songs. He was named Marketer of the Year in the Christian music industry in 1993.