Amir Malin has assumed sole leadership of Artisan Entertainment following the resignation yesterday of co-chief executive officer Mark Curcio. Malin will from now on be responsible for overseeing all areas of the company and its future growth. Bill Block will remain president of Artisan and will take on additional responsibilities in helping to lead the company's internet initiatives. Ken Schapiro, the company's chief operating officer, will also have increased responsibilities in running the day-to-day operations of the company.

Curcio, who will retain his seat on Artisan's board of directors and will serve as a consultant to the company, plans to pursue new business interests in the entertainment arena.

Curcio came to Artisan from Bain & Company where he advised Bain on strategic investments in the entertainment industry including LIVE Entertainment, the company which grew into Artisan. Prior to Bain, he served as corporate director of strategic planning at Disney where he was responsible for all acquisitions and strategy development for Walt Disney Studios.

In April this year, Malin was promoted to co-chief executive officer alongside Curcio. Curcio's departure will have no impact on the company's initial public offering through which it plans to raise $140m to fund further expansion. Also in the pipeline is the sale of a 10% stake in the company to a European company; at time of going to press Spain's Telefonica and Germany's Kinowelt were the leading contenders.