Directors Mike and Steve Elliot start a commercial production company with William Unger.

Columbia Pictures purchases a 50 percent stake in Elliot Unger Elliot (EUE), a commercial production company widely recognized as one of the country’s most accomplished photography and film entities. When Elliot Unger Elliot (EUE) becomes part of the Columbia family, it is positioned under the Screen Gems Television umbrella and branded EUE/Screen Gems. The EUE/Screen Gems division is innovative and consistently experiences growth under the management of longtime Columbia Pictures executive, George Cooney.

In 1974, George Cooney created the first “satellite” division of EUE/Screen Gems by bringing into to fold ZIEFF Films, led by the “King of Madison Avenue” Howard Zieff. The satellite structure allowed Zieff to freely work both on his Hollywood projects and his legendary TV spots. The satellite structure went on to become one of the most important innovations in the industry.

Throughout the decade EUE/Screen Gems West was housed on the backlot at THE BURBANK STUDIOS (TBS) where many top directors took full advantage of the sprawling studio complex. Hundreds of commercials were produced during this period and the operation remained as the only TV commercial production company to be owned by a major studio.

During this period EUE/Screen Gems also operated Studios in Bray, Ireland called Ardmore Studios. The company helped produce and facilitate numerous campaigns in the toy genre and for package goods companies.

George Cooney purchases the assets of EUE/Screen Gems from Coca-Cola Company (then owners of Columbia Pictures) and continues to provide production for film, commercial and television companies, producing commercials for McDonalds, Coca-Cola, Nike, Verizon and Proctor and Gamble brands. The New York City facility is home to some iconic television shows including the daytime dramas “Guiding Light” and “Edge of Night.”

EUE/Screen Gems purchases the former Carolco Studios in Wilmington, NC.  Legendary film producer Dino DeLaurentiis originally built this facility in 1984. The facility is renamed EUE/Screen Gems Studios and the successful business model developed in New York City works in Wilmington.

EUE/Screen Gems Studios in Wilmington builds Stage 10, the biggest sound stage and special effects water tank east of Los Angeles.

EUE/Screen Gems renovates the Lakewood Fairgrounds in the City of Atlanta and opens the multi-stage campus.

EUE/Sokolow launches. Sam Sokolow leads the new division in Los Angeles that will develop and produce scripted and unscripted original content.

Crux Digital makes its debut as EUE/Screen Gems’ own boutique digital agency.

The Cooney family still continues to expand operations both in studio services and original content, recently completing the 37,500 sq ft STAGE 5 in Atlanta and currently building STAGE 6, another 30,000 sq ft stage.