Ricky Strauss has been named president of Participant Productions, the company for "socially relevant, commercially viable feature films and documentaries," formed by Jeff Skoll.
Upcoming Participant films include Stephen Gaghan's "Syriana," starring George Clooney, Matt Damon, Jeffrey Wright and Amanda Peet. Also on tap is the upcoming Niko Caro film, starring Charlize Theron, Frances McDormand and Sissy Spacek.
Strauss will run production, marketing and distribution, reporting directly to Skoll.
