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 creates the first “satellite” division of EUE/Screen Gems and brings ZIEFF Films into the fold. “King of Madison Avenue” Howard Zieff provides the directoral talent for the new group The satellite structure allows Zieff to freely work both on his Hollywood projects and his legendary TV spots. The satellite structure becomes an important innovation for the industry.

Throughout the decade, EUE/Screen Gems West is housed on the backlot at THE BURBANK STUDIOS (TBS), a sprawling studio complex favored by many directors. Hundreds of commercials are produced during this period, and the operation is the only TV commercial production company owned by a major studio.

During this period, EUE/Screen Gems also operates Studios in Bray, Ireland: Ardmore Studios. The company helps produce and facilitate numerous campaigns in the toy genre (category a better word?) 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.

EUE/Screen Gems facilitates the soap opera “The Guiding Light” for what would become 18 straight years.

EUE/Screen Gems purchases the former Carolco Studios in Wilmington, NC. Legendary film producer Dino DeLaurentiis built the facility in 1984. The lot is renamed EUE/Screen Gems Studios.

EUE/Screen Gems helps launch “The Rachael Ray Show” in their New York Studios and facilitates the show for 6 successful seasons.

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

EUE/Screen Gems renovates the Lakewood Fairgrounds in Atlanta and opens a 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. They open the 37,500 sq ft STAGE 5 in Atlanta. While USA Network series “Necessary Roughness” is on hiatus, “Watch” and “Flight” feature films shoot on Stage 5.

The company builds Stage 6, a 30,000 sq ft sound stage, in Atlanta. With BET Networks, USA Network and ABC/Disney shooting on the lot, Atlanta develops a reputation as a TV production destination. In Wilmington, Marvel Studios shoots “Iron Man 3,” the largest production to ever shoot in North Carolina.