Biography

Parkinson is known within the industry primarily for his film marketing and distribution skills, especially with respect to the U.S. Home Video Market. As a film distributor, he has handled the release of over 1,500 titles, including major hits such as "The Terminator", "Little Nemo" and "Highlander 2". During Parkinson's tenure as C.E.O. of Hemdale - a major independent production & distribution company - he earned over 100 RIAA / ITA Gold or Platinum Best Selling video awards, with 8 titles hitting # 1 on the Billboard video charts. As Hemdale Studio CEO, he has studio honorary credit behind the Best Picture Oscar winners, "Platoon" and "The Last Emperor." Schooled primarily in film production (University of Kansas and later at the University of Arkansas), Parkinson is also a skilled filmmaker, with extensive production credits, and a directorial (feature) debut ("Wildfire") just completed with a nationwide USA theatrical release set for Sept. 26, 2025. Filming is underway for a new Parkinson feature as writer-director, the historic western-epic, "Indian Territory." Additionally, Parkinson in involved with several films in production and in development ("Native Fables", "Modern Antiquities", "I Piani Migliori" and "Shadowlands").

As C.E.O. of Hemdale, Parkinson was responsible for paying off over $58-million in corporate debt that the company was carrying prior to his engagement - as well as the placement of the company's impressive film library within the MGM-UA family of companies. In 2002, he purchased Truman Press, Inc. d/b/a "Hannover House" and added DVD products to the book publishing line. As of 2010, "Hannover House" was merged to become a publicly traded company (symbol OTC: HHSE). Parkinson has been the CEO of Hannover House since 2002. Hannover House released over 450 titles to the DVD market during its first 20 years in the home media sector... and recently the company began to refocus efforts towards the release of theatrical feature films as the DVD business for independent titles grew increasingly competitive. The company has aligned some aspects of home video, streaming and television product distribution through major studio partners, but maintains its direct access to the major theatre circuits in North America.

Parkinson is active as a Producer and Executive Producer of films, with current projects ranging from the $700,000 budget for "Indian Territory" to the $22-mm budget for the upcoming action-thriller, "Tempus Porta."
- IMDb mini biography by: EnterLinkMedia@gmail.com

Parkinson is brother of former Kansas Governor Mark Parkinson (D) and was a co-chairman of west coast fund-raising for the 1996 Presidential campaign for former U.S. Senator Bob Dole. Parkinson's father was public relations and marketing guru and author Hank Parkinson, whose Wichita, Kansas firm helped launch several major companies and publications including Pizza Hut, Delta Dental Plan and Campaign Insight.

Parkinson is a founding board member of the Smithsonian Institute Museum Project for N.W. Arkansas. He is also founder and CEO of Made In The USA, Inc., a non-profit organization designed to encourage consumers to purchase goods manufactured in the USA.