Topper out at Maya

A shakeup is arrived at L.A.-based Maya Entertainment, the multiplatform content distribution company targeted in the The spanish language-language market Stateside.Chairman-Boss Moctesuma Esparza continues to be ousted while co-chairman Shaun Valdez continues to be hired prexy and can dominate day-to-day procedures. Valdez, together with senior Vice president of procedures Sergio Aguero, will concentrate on rethinking the money-strapped company for that digital arena. Esparza remains part of the board. Valdez is founding father of British-language Latino network SiTV, now referred to as nuvoTV. Released in Feb 2008 and recommended because the only all-Latino up and down integrated company, Maya has fallen victim towards the vagaries of the weak domestic theatrical and homevideo market. "We'll be refocusing our efforts around the digital marketplace and downsizing the house entertainment division," stated Valdez. "We'll still produce films and release some theatrically on the situation-by-situation basis."Professional also intends to bolster Maya's growing worldwide sales efforts. A slate of underperforming game titles hasn't assisted Maya's main point here. Among its latest theatrical releases, helmer Gabriela Tagliavini "Without Males," starring Avoi Longoria and Christian Slater, fizzled in the box office after its June 29 release.Company's exhibition arm, Maya Movie theaters, initially introduced the making of 100 screens but only has handled to erect 30 in the Salinas and Bakersfield megaplexes. Esparza will probably still oversee Maya Movie theaters.It had been wished that Maya's vertical integration is needed it steer clear of the fate of past Latino distribs -- including Televisa Cine, Latin World, Arenas Entertainment -- that faltered within their tries to enter the elusive U.S. Latino market.All eyes are actually on Lionsgate-Televisa partnership Pantelion, with a Will Ferrell The spanish language-language comedy, "La Casa p mi padre," set to bow in March. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com