When Cary Granat left a multibillion-dollar partner of Miramax Films and founded his own media company, he wanted to recapture a sense of imagination. Since then, he has been a partner in producing films such as the Narnia Series, Holes, Bridge to Terebithia, and more. Join us to hear why true leaders hold fast to their ideas while being flexible to improvements along the way.
Bio: Cary Granat is a leader and pioneer in the media industry. Granat has developed a unique approach to the management and operations of entertainment brands from inception to becoming industry leaders in their space, such as Walden Media and Miramax-Dimension Films.
In 2001, Granat secured the rights to C.S. Lewis’s beloved Chronicles of Narnia series for Walden Media and oversaw production on the hugely successful first film of the franchise, The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe, which was one of the highest-grossing films of 2005. The Narnia franchise alone has generated over $1.5 billion in theatrical gross on its first three installments. In addition to his duties as CEO and Founder of Walden Media, Granat was appointed in April 2004 as President of Anschutz Film Group (AFG). Granat built Walden into a leader in film, publishing, children’s live entertainment, and music and grew two unique extension businesses in education and faith outreach.
An industry veteran with over 50 films to his credit, Cary Granat has earned a reputation for fostering solid and long-lasting relationships with leading filmmakers and actors, resulting in over $5 billion in box office revenues.
Granat serves on the board of directors of the World Information Transfer (WIT), a non-governmental organization in general consultative status with the United Nations, and co-Chairs the yearly United Nations conference on “Global Health and the Environment” every December.
Cary’s Something Extra: “I think the Something Extra that each leader needs is to know that they don’t know everything and the ability to champion their vision to the people around them.”
