Former Universal co-chair David Linde named Participant Media CEO

Entertainment company Participant Media has tapped former Universal Pictures co-chairman David Linde as its new chief executive as it looks to accelerate its business.

Linde’s appointment comes six months after Participant’s previous CEO Jim Berk abruptly resigned. The Beverly Hills firm’s billionaire founder Jeff Skoll has been running the company during its search for a replacement.

Participant, which aims to develop and fund socially conscious films and wage campaigns for the public good, is looking to Linde to fuel growth, particularly overseas.

Linde, who takes the helm at Participant on Nov. 1, has robust business ties in countries such as China and India, where the movie business is growing. Variety first reported that Linde is moving to Participant.

In 2011 his independent production company, Lava Bear Films, secured funding from India’s Reliance Entertainment. He served as co-chairman of Universal Pictures from 2006 to 2009, when he was ousted along with Marc Shmuger.

Participant, founded in 2004, has a hand in high-profile films such as Netflix’s “Beasts of No Nation,� Steven Spielberg’s “Bridge of Spies� and the Sandra Bullock film “Our Brand Is Crisis.�

Its nonfilm ventures have included the digital magazine TakePart and cable network Pivot.

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