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Millard Ochs Honored
RAAM Recognizes Industry Veteran’s Contribution to UK
and Irish Cinema
 The 2007 RAAM Awards honored Millard Ochs, president of Warner Bros
International Cinemas at a ceremony in London last month to recognize
his outstanding contribution to the UK and Irish Cinema exhibition industry.
Ochs delivered the industry keynote visionary presentation at the RAAM
Conference held at the Radisson Edwardian Mayfair Hotel London February
6th-8th.
In announcing the award, RAAM Chairman Tony Meehan said, “Between
the period 1984 – 2003 Ochs, in his roles with AMC, UCI, and WBIC,
was the most influential figure in the European cinema exhibition business.
Because of his vision and energy he transformed what was a decaying business
into the dynamic, forward thinking and continuously developing business
it is today. His legacy cannot be underestimated.”
 In the early years of multiplex development (1985 – 1993) Ochs
was responsible for 30 percent of the UK’s new cinema builds with
AMC and UCI – 22 new cinemas; 206 new screens and more than 45,000
new seats. Admissions to cinema grew by over 70 percent and box office
grosses by 250 percent.
At this time, he also introduced the first two multiplexes to Dublin & Ireland
- at Tallaght and Coolock – a market that ranks amongst the highest
visitation rates to cinema in the world.
As President of Warner Bros International Theatres from 1994 onwards
(now Warner Bros International Cinemas), Ochs oversaw an estate in the
U.K. that grew to 40 cinemas and close on 100,000 seats, prior to being
sold in 2003.
Beyond being responsible for developing more than 20 percent of the
screens in operation in the U.K. today and seeing admissions grow by
over 250 percent since 1984, Ochs has provided support and encouragement
to all within the UK and Irish cinema and distribution businesses.
In response to the news Ochs said, “I am truly honored to be recognized
by RAAM for such a distinguished award. However, as I always say,
it is a team effort that makes it all happen and to the people that worked
with me from 1984 to 2003 under AMC, UCI, and more recently with WBIC
I thank you all for making this award so special. We made customer
service a reality and brought the customer back to the movie going experience. We
introduced a cinema management and staff training school that provided
opportunities to many people to be part of a new and revitalized industry.
We had ambitious plans when we moved into the market, however I am happy
to say we accomplished everything we set out to do and even happier that
the UK cinema scene is as robust and energized as it is today in no small
part to all of your involvement.”
The awards are decided by the 11 members RAAM Advisory board, which
includes Robert Mitchell –BVI; Neil Marshall – Warner Bros;
Steve Perrin - UK– Film Council; Mark de Quervain – Vue;
Rod Wheeler - Barco; Brian O’Gorman Movies@Dundrum; David Hancock – Screen
Digest; Luca Vasile – Hollywood Reporter; Mike Vickers – Reel
Time Cinemas; Rob Arthur and Tony Meehan RAAM Management.
RAAM Management www.raammanagement.com
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