The Firm Company

Former top Walt Disney Co. TV executive Rich Frank is joining the Firm entertainment company as chairman of the board, folding his Integrated Entertainment Partners venture into the business. Founder Jeff Kwatinetz will continue as chief executive, with Kwatinetz and partner Rick Yorn sharing a chairman's title. Julie Yorn will head Firm Films. Before starting his most recent venture, Frank was chairman of C3, a production company started by Comcast Corp.

EMI Group said Thursday that it would distribute the recordings of Mandy Moore and rock group Army of Anyone through a new label created by talent management company the Firm that plans to share profit directly with the artists. The profit-sharing aspect of the label, which hasn't yet been named, differs from traditional royalty agreements, London-based EMI and the Firm said.

Footwear marketer Global Brand Marketing Inc. of Santa Barbara has acquired a majority stake in athletic shoe brand Pony from entertainment management company the Firm. Terms were not disclosed, but people with knowledge of the transaction said it was being valued from $60 million to $75 million. Two sources close to the deal indicated that GBMI acquired 60% of the Pony brand and paid the Firm about $25 million in cash and other expenses.

Former top Walt Disney Co. TV executive Rich Frank is joining the Firm entertainment company as chairman of the board, folding his Integrated Entertainment Partners venture into the business. Founder Jeff Kwatinetz will continue as chief executive, with Kwatinetz and partner Rick Yorn sharing a chairman's title. Julie Yorn will head Firm Films. Before starting his most recent venture, Frank was chairman of C3, a production company started by Comcast Corp.

EMI Group said Thursday that it would distribute the recordings of Mandy Moore and rock group Army of Anyone through a new label created by talent management company the Firm that plans to share profit directly with the artists. The profit-sharing aspect of the label, which hasn't yet been named, differs from traditional royalty agreements, London-based EMI and the Firm said.

Auto magnate Henry Ford II, who for 35 years ran the automobile company founded by his grandfather, managing it from the brink of disaster to the top rank of industrial power, died Tuesday in a Detroit hospital. Ford, 70, who had a history of heart problems, was admitted to Cottage Hospital in suburban Grosse Pointe Farms on Sept. 9 for treatment of pneumonia he contracted while living at his country estate outside London. He was transferred Sept.

Newport Beach-based Koll Construction has been sold to the firm's managers, company founder Donald Koll said. The firm is operating under the name Arris Builders Inc. and is led by Donald W. Dreusike, president, and Terry Lysek, senior vice president. Terms of the sale were not disclosed. Arris will complete more than $50 million in current Koll Construction projects, Dreusike said.

Hollings C. Renton, 40, was named chief operating officer of Cetus Corp., Emeryville. He previously was executive vice president and chief financial officer of the firm. The company also named Shing Chang and Judith I. Blakemore as vice presidents. Cetus is a biotechnology company that develops and markets pharmaceutical products.

Texas Air Corp. President Gerald L. Gitner has resigned to pursue other business interests but will remain as a director and consultant to the firm, company officials said. Gitner, whose resignation was effective immediately, joined Texas Air last December and will continue as a director of Texas Air and Continental Airlines as well as a consultant to Texas Air. "As of the moment, I have no specific plan of action.

Footwear marketer Global Brand Marketing Inc. of Santa Barbara has acquired a majority stake in athletic shoe brand Pony from entertainment management company the Firm. Terms were not disclosed, but people with knowledge of the transaction said it was being valued from $60 million to $75 million. Two sources close to the deal indicated that GBMI acquired 60% of the Pony brand and paid the Firm about $25 million in cash and other expenses.