Atlantis Communications has been rapidly expanding its management team. The latest addition to its roster is Michael Geddes, Atlantis Releasing’s new director of marketing. He will focus on marketing Atlantis’ product abroad. Most recently, Geddes ran his own consulting firm and prior to that was senior account director at Catalina Marketing.

Geddes’ arrival follows the appointment of Kevin Shea as president and chief operating officer and Juris Silkans as vice-president.

The company has also rehired Bill Grey, Atlantis’ vice-president Western operations until April 1993. Grey is relocating to Toronto and will work as an executive producer.

Also hired in the production department, as executive producer, is Alyson Feltes, a former lawyer at Cassels Brock and Blackwell in Toronto. Feltes has spent the last two years as a producing fellow at the American Film Institute, where she produced a half-hour film called Oka starring Tantoo Cardinal.

Stephanie MacKendrick, senior manager public affairs for Unitel Communications, will be Atlantis’ new vice-president corporate communications.

Michael MacMillan, president, chairman and ceo, says the company needs to expand because its production slate is going to increase significantly in the next year as will the acquisition of third-party programming.

‘We are looking for investment opportunities in other companies,’ adds MacMillan.

The company’s current series Destiny Ridge and Neon Rider have been renewed by CanWest Global for another year, and they hope to hear word on African Skies, Wildside and TekWar within the next few weeks. MacMillan says Atlantis’ slate of mows looks very strong this season.

MacMillan says the new management additions will free him from the day-to-day operations of the company and enable him to ‘focus on building the team and strategic opportunities.’ He may still be involved as an executive producer on some projects.

Atlantis’ stock has shifted between $13.75 per share and $14.62.