COMPANY TOWN ANNEX

Republic Chief Confirms He Is Leaving: Russell Goldsmith confirmed a report, published in The Times, that he will leave the company soon rather than run the combined Republic Pictures and Spelling Entertainment when the two companies are merged in a few weeks. Goldsmith said he will continue to serve as a consultant to video rental giant Blockbuster Entertainment, which will control the merged companies. Goldsmith is leaving in the wake of Blockbuster’s $8.4-billion merger with Viacom Inc. A Republic spokeswoman said Goldsmith plans to work at the company until the merger is completed.