LOS ANGELES, Feb 22 (Reuters) - Bankrupt Eastman Kodak
Co is having its name yanked from Sunday's telecast of the
Oscars, the president of the group that gives out the awards
said on Wednesday.
"It will be live from the Hollywood and Highland Center in
Hollywood, California. That's what the landlord has asked us to
do and we're going to do it," said Tom Sherak, president of the
Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, in an interview
with a Los Angeles television station.
The announcement comes after much speculation as to whether
the once-dominant film manufacturing and photography company
would keep its name on the Oscar theater after filing for
Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization earlier this year.
Kodak signed a $74 million deal in 2000 for naming rights
the 3,400-seat theater in Hollywood that is home to the Academy
Awards and also houses a production of Cirque du Soleil.
The Oscar deal was an enormous marketing opportunity for
Kodak's brand because the Academy Awards annually is the second
most-watched event on TV behind football's Super Bowl. Last
year's telecast was viewed by 37.6 million people.
But under bankruptcy law, the company was able to reject the
remainder of its 20-year commitment, and sought to have its name
removed from the theater immediately. The building's owner, CIM
Group, objected initially, saying it was unfair for Kodak to
remove its sign before the Oscars.
The CIM Group declined to comment Wednesday on the Academy's
decision to not include the Kodak name in this year's awards.
(Reporting by Piya Sinha-Roy)
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