The University of Texas at Austin has announced that media executive Cary Granat will serve as the new dean of its Moody College of Communications beginning September 28.
“Granat brings more than three decades of experience at the nexus of storytelling, technology, education and enterprise,” a university press release states. “His career spans a broad spectrum of the communications and media landscape, from distributing major film franchises and building global media businesses to teaching and partnering with universities and civic organizations.”
“That breadth of experience will provide Moody students and faculty members with a leader who understands both the enduring principles of effective communication and the rapidly changing industries in which those principles are put into practice.”
According to his LinkedIn profile, Granat is currently CEO of Egeria Media, which he describes as “a new faith-and-family studio headquartered in Austin, TX.”
Little information is publicly available about this company beyond a social media post from a private media fund that states it is partnering with Egeria for “targeted acquisitions” of “internationally adored family bands.”
Granat is best known as the founder and former CEO of Walden Media, which seeks to create family-friendly, educational, and morally focused entertainment.
Walden Media has released high-profile films such as The Chronicles of Narnia and Amazing Grace with obvious Christian themes, but also published books that promote witchcraft.
Granat left Walden Media in 2011, so his links to any specific piece of content is unclear.
Prior to co-founding Walden, Granat worked in a series of senior executive positions at several high-profile movie studios.
Granat has also been a board member with several for-profit and nonprofit organizations since 2010.
UT-Austin is a component of the University of Texas System. The UT System is overseen by a Board of Regents that is appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Texas Senate. Kevin Eltife of Tyler is the current board chair.
