Appointment Rounds out Leadership Team for Company's Global
Distribution Business
SANTA MONICA, Calif. and
VANCOUVER, British Columbia,
Aug. 3, 2017 /CNW/ -- Reflecting the
continued growth of its worldwide operations, Lionsgate (NYSE:
LGF.A, LGF.B) has appointed Gene
George to Executive Vice President of Worldwide Distribution
with responsibility for international television distribution, it
was announced today by Lionsgate President of Worldwide Television
& Digital Distribution Jim Packer.
Mr. George will report to recently-promoted Lionsgate President
of International Television & Digital Distribution Peter
Iacono.
"The Starz acquisition not only allowed us to grow our content
platform exponentially but provided us with great executives to
round out our global distribution presence," said Mr. Packer.
"The recent announcement of Jared
Goetz to head up North American television distribution,
Gene George's appointment on the
international side and Susan
Hummel's hire to head our Canadian office give us a team
that will take us to the next level and a worldwide distribution
organization second to none."
A nine-year veteran of Starz, Mr. George will explore
opportunities to license Lionsgate's filmed entertainment content
in new markets and territories, identify film and television
acquisitions that complement the Company's international slate and
serve as the liaison for Starz's continued integration into
Lionsgate's global distribution operations.
His appointment reflects the continued growth of Lionsgate's
worldwide distribution business to accommodate an annual film slate
of over 40 theatrical releases, a 16,000-title film and television
library, one of the largest independent television businesses in
the world, a home entertainment organization that distributed six
of this year's nine Best Picture Oscar nominees and a roster of
programming from Starz, which Lionsgate acquired in December 2016.
Mr. George previously served as Executive Vice President of
Starz Worldwide Distribution, overseeing all sales and distribution
for the company. He was responsible for the licensing of
Starz original series including Spartacus, The White
Queen and Power, the second highest-rated premium pay
television series of 2016. Prior to joining Starz, he served
as President at Regent Worldwide where he formed production deals
with networks including Lifetime, ABC Family and SyFy.
ABOUT LIONSGATE
The first major new studio in decades, Lionsgate is a global
content platform whose films, television series, digital products
and linear and over-the-top platforms reach next generation
audiences around the world. In addition to its filmed
entertainment leadership, Lionsgate content drives a growing
presence in interactive and location-based entertainment, gaming,
virtual reality and other new entertainment technologies.
Lionsgate's content initiatives are backed by a 16,000-title film
and television library and delivered through a global licensing
infrastructure. The Lionsgate brand is synonymous with
original, daring and ground-breaking content created with special
emphasis on the evolving patterns and diverse composition of the
Company's worldwide consumer base.
For more information, please contact:
Peter Wilkes
Lionsgate
PWilkes@lionsgate.com
(310) 255-3726
or
Cristina Castañeda
Lionsgate
CCastaneda@lionsgate.com
(310) 255-5114
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SOURCE Lionsgate