Ex-Playboy Enterprises President Tony Lynn Dies

Veteran television and movie executive Tony Lynn passed away Dec. 1 after a brief battle with cancer, according to reports.

Lynn, 66, worked in the telecommunications industry for more than 30 years, most notably serving as President of the Playboy Entertainment Group in the mid 1990s. 

Lynn also served as senior vice president of program distribution for Showtime Networks from 2004-2008 before establishing Agile Enterprises, a successful consulting practice that provided strategy and advice on a wide range of motion picture and television sales, acquisition, marketing and distribution issues.

Lynn also served as MGM Telecommunications’ president of worldwide television, video and film distribution in the late 1980s.

A memorial service will take place on Jan. 26, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. 

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.