June 23, 2008--Derek Threinen has left his position as Director, Film Marketing, Outreach, Corporate, at National Geographic in order to explore some interesting new opportunities as a theatrical and attractions consultant. He will continue to be based in Washington, D.C.

Threinen has signed a contract with Smithsonian Business Ventures to assist in planning and building a digital theater and simulation attraction at the National Museum of American History, a theater technology review and upgrade at the National Air and Space Museum's Udvar-Hazy Center, a renovation of the National Museum of Natural History's IMAX theater, and will also be providing marketing consultation with regards to upcoming film launches and the Smithsonian Institution theaters' web presence, among other duties.
 
Prior to joining National Geographic, Threinen was with IMAX Corporation serving with their Owned and Operated group as theater director of the Simons IMAX Theatre at Boston’s New England Aquarium, responsible for management of programming, marketing, sales, commercial development and visitor-experience activities. Threinen began his career in the giant screen industry over 10 years ago at the Canadian Museum of Civilization as general manager of a special-venue attraction operated by SimEx.  As manager of marketing and operations, he was responsible for oversight of a number of joint-venture attractions at major institutions worldwide, including the National Museum of Science and Industry (the Science Museum) in London and the Singapore Science Center.

Threinen can be reached at derek.threinen@gmail.com or at 202-460-9389.

National Geographic production questions should be directed to Lisa Truitt and distribution questions to Mark Katz.