Relativity Media president of theatrical marketing and distribution, Peter Adee, is leaving the studio in June after 10 months on the job. An individual with knowledge of the company's plan said industry veteran Terry Curtin, formerly of Revolution Studios and before that of Disney, was likely to replace him. Update: Relativity confirmed Adee's departure shortly after this story was posted. The company's news release is below. Before joining Ryan Kavanaugh's Relativity in August, 2010, Adee was president of worldwide marketing and distribution for Overture Media. He replaced Geoffrey Ammer, who had the job at...
- 4/2/2011
- by Joshua L. Weinstein
- The Wrap
Joe Matukewicz has been appointed the new Senior Vice President of Worldwide Acquisitions at Relativity Media, the studio announced via a press release. Tucker Tooley, the company’s President of Worldwide Production, and Peter Adee, the President of Theatrical Marketing and Distribution of Relativity, confirmed the news. Matukewicz, who once worked as the Vice President of Acquistions and Co-Productions for Paramount Vantage and Paramount Worldwide Acquisitions Group, will lead the Relativity acquisitions team. He will also work with the production team to determine which projects to sign for the studio. Matukewicz will be working with both Adee and Tooley, who said he “brings great commercial and critical instincts along with a breadth [...]...
- 1/21/2011
- by karen
- ShockYa
Joe Matukewicz has been named senior vice president of worldwide acquisitions for Relativity Media.
Matukewicz was vice president of acquisitions and co-productions for Paramount Vantage and Paramount Worldwide Acquisitions Group. During his tenure, Paramount acquired such high-profile projects as “An Inconvenient Truth,” “The Duchess,” “How She Move,” “Hustle & Flow,” “The Machinist,” “Jay-z: Fade to Black” and “Mad Hot Ballroom.”
In his new post, Matukewicz will serve as the head of acquisitions and work with the Relativity production team to evaluate projects for acquisitions and production for the studio. He reports to Tucker Tooley, president of worldwide production, and Peter Adee, president of theatrical marketing and distribution.
The first movie Matukewicz acquired for Relativity Media is David Ellis’ “Untitled 3D Shark Thriller” from Nick Meyer’s Sierra Pictures.
Matukewicz was vice president of acquisitions and co-productions for Paramount Vantage and Paramount Worldwide Acquisitions Group. During his tenure, Paramount acquired such high-profile projects as “An Inconvenient Truth,” “The Duchess,” “How She Move,” “Hustle & Flow,” “The Machinist,” “Jay-z: Fade to Black” and “Mad Hot Ballroom.”
In his new post, Matukewicz will serve as the head of acquisitions and work with the Relativity production team to evaluate projects for acquisitions and production for the studio. He reports to Tucker Tooley, president of worldwide production, and Peter Adee, president of theatrical marketing and distribution.
The first movie Matukewicz acquired for Relativity Media is David Ellis’ “Untitled 3D Shark Thriller” from Nick Meyer’s Sierra Pictures.
- 1/20/2011
- by admin
- Moving Pictures Network
Relativity Media has a new man on the ground for Sundance 2011: Joe Matukewicz, former VP acquisitions and co-productions for Paramount Vantage and the Paramount Worldwide Acquisitions Group. Last year, Relativity made its Sundance buying debut with "Catfish;" Matukewicz will oversee all acquisitions for the company. The full release follows. (Beverly Hills, CA) January 19, 2011 – Tucker Tooley, President of Worldwide Production and Peter Adee, President of Theatrical Marketing ...
- 1/19/2011
- Indiewire
(Beverly Hills, CA) January 19, 2011 – Tucker Tooley, President of Worldwide Production and Peter Adee, President of Theatrical Marketing and Distribution of Relativity Media, LLC (Rml) announced today that Joe Matukewicz, former Vice President of Acquisitions and Co-Productions for Paramount Vantage and Paramount Worldwide Acquisitions Group, has joined the company as Senior Vice President of Worldwide Acquisitions. Matukewicz will serve as the head of acquisitions and work with the Relativity production team to evaluate projects for acquisitions and production for the studio. Matukewicz, in his position as Svp of Worldwide Acquisitions, will directly report to Rml President of Worldwide Production, Tucker Tooley, and Rml President of Theatrical Marketing and Distribution, Peter Adee. "Joe brings great commercial and critical instincts along with a breadth of experience to our team. His background in acquiring films of various genres makes him a terrific asset to Relativity," said Relativity’s President of Worldwide Production Tucker Tooley.
- 1/19/2011
- by MIKE FLEMING
- Deadline
Joe Matukewicz has boarded Relativity Media as senior vice president of acquisitions. His first official assignment: The Sundance Film Festival, which gets underway Thursday.
Relativity is ramping up its acquisitions business after launching a domestic distribution arm.
Matukewicz will report directly to Relativity president of worldwide production Tucker Tooley and president of worldwide marketing and distribution Peter Adee.
Matukewicz was previously at Paramount, where he was vice president of acquisitions and co-productions for Paramount Vantage and Paramount Worldwide Acquisitions Group.
"Joe brings great commercial and critical instincts along with a breadth of experience to our team. His background in acquiring films of various genres makes him a terrific asset to Relativity," Tooley said.
Behind the scenes, Matukewicz has already been busy. The first movie he acquired for Relativity Media is David R. Ellis' Untitled 3D Shark Thriller from Nick Meyer's Sierra Pictures.
"At this time, the acquisitions business...
Relativity is ramping up its acquisitions business after launching a domestic distribution arm.
Matukewicz will report directly to Relativity president of worldwide production Tucker Tooley and president of worldwide marketing and distribution Peter Adee.
Matukewicz was previously at Paramount, where he was vice president of acquisitions and co-productions for Paramount Vantage and Paramount Worldwide Acquisitions Group.
"Joe brings great commercial and critical instincts along with a breadth of experience to our team. His background in acquiring films of various genres makes him a terrific asset to Relativity," Tooley said.
Behind the scenes, Matukewicz has already been busy. The first movie he acquired for Relativity Media is David R. Ellis' Untitled 3D Shark Thriller from Nick Meyer's Sierra Pictures.
"At this time, the acquisitions business...
- 1/19/2011
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
More Toronto coverage
Toronto -- Get ready for a high-stakes, star-packed game of musical chairs as the 35th Toronto International Film Festival gets under way Thursday.
During the next 10 days, several dozen movies -- many boasting marquee names in unexpected roles -- will be unveiled with hopes that after all the attendant music dies down, they'll find themselves in the arms of an enthusiastic domestic distributor and not be left abandoned on the sidelines.
Nicole Kidman and Aaron Eckhart will wrestle with the death of a child in "Rabbit Hole," directed by John Cameron Mitchell. Helmed by Robert Redford, "The Conspirator" will offer James McAvoy as a reluctant attorney defending a woman (Robin Wright) accused of involvement in the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. Oscar-winning screenwriter Dustin Lance Black will make his directorial debut with "What's Wrong With Virginia," in which Jennifer Connelly stars as a mentally ill mother.
Christopher Plummer...
Toronto -- Get ready for a high-stakes, star-packed game of musical chairs as the 35th Toronto International Film Festival gets under way Thursday.
During the next 10 days, several dozen movies -- many boasting marquee names in unexpected roles -- will be unveiled with hopes that after all the attendant music dies down, they'll find themselves in the arms of an enthusiastic domestic distributor and not be left abandoned on the sidelines.
Nicole Kidman and Aaron Eckhart will wrestle with the death of a child in "Rabbit Hole," directed by John Cameron Mitchell. Helmed by Robert Redford, "The Conspirator" will offer James McAvoy as a reluctant attorney defending a woman (Robin Wright) accused of involvement in the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. Oscar-winning screenwriter Dustin Lance Black will make his directorial debut with "What's Wrong With Virginia," in which Jennifer Connelly stars as a mentally ill mother.
Christopher Plummer...
- 9/8/2010
- by By Gregg Kilday and Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
What is going on with Relativity Media? Less than six months after Ryan Kavanaugh announced with great fanfare the arrival of Geoffrey Ammer as president of worldwide marketing, Ammer is gone. Ammer formally resigned today. His job will be taken by Peter Adee, who had been Overture's president of worldwide marketing and distribution. My sources said the decision was made by Ammer, partly because he had been working under a year-long contract, which will be paid in full. Both Ammer and Adee have their boosters. But with two good pieces of marketing manpower, you'd think Kavanaugh would have figured out ahead of time a way to create roles that would keep both, before he acquired Overture. But there they were, working alongside each other in essentially the same post. Can you say awkward? So Adee and his team will be staying. Ammer formerly headed marketing for Sony Pictures and then Marvel Studios,...
- 8/10/2010
- by MIKE FLEMING
- Deadline
There's only enough room at any distrib for one head of marketing, so recent Relativity Media hire Geoff Ammer, a well-liked marketing vet who was hired as worldwide marketing president by CEO Ryan Kavanaugh in January, is out, as Overture marketing chief Peter Adee moves in. Ammer has run marketing at Marvel, Sony, and Revolution and held high-level marketing positions at Disney and Fox.
- 8/10/2010
- Thompson on Hollywood
After just seven months on the job, Geoffrey Ammer has resigned as president of worldwide marketing, effectively immediately, at Relativity Media.
The move follows Relativity's acquisition last month of marketing and distribution operations from Overture Films. Peter Adee, who had been handling marketing and distribution for Overture, will be taking over Ammer's responsibilities at Relativity.
"We are very grateful for Geoffrey's creative vision and contributions to Relativity's successes," Relativity CEO Ryan Kavanaugh said in announcing the change. "We wish him the best in his future business endeavors."
Ammer joined Relativity in January. He was previously president of worldwide marketing, theatrical and home entertainment for Marvel Studios. Before that, he served as president of worldwide marketing for Sony Pictures from 2001-05.
"It has been my pleasure to work with such a talented team of filmmakers and staff during my time at Relativity," he said.
The move follows Relativity's acquisition last month of marketing and distribution operations from Overture Films. Peter Adee, who had been handling marketing and distribution for Overture, will be taking over Ammer's responsibilities at Relativity.
"We are very grateful for Geoffrey's creative vision and contributions to Relativity's successes," Relativity CEO Ryan Kavanaugh said in announcing the change. "We wish him the best in his future business endeavors."
Ammer joined Relativity in January. He was previously president of worldwide marketing, theatrical and home entertainment for Marvel Studios. Before that, he served as president of worldwide marketing for Sony Pictures from 2001-05.
"It has been my pleasure to work with such a talented team of filmmakers and staff during my time at Relativity," he said.
- 8/10/2010
- by By Gregg Kilday
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Relativity Media will take over the distribution and marketing operations and some assets of the Starz Overture Films subsidiary. Approximately 45 staff members, or two-thirds of Overture’s employees, will make the move to Relativity Media, including Peter Adee, formerly Overture Films’ president of worldwide marketing, distribution and new media, and Kyle Davies, executive vice president theatrical distribution. Overture Films will release its remaining titles – Jack Goes Boating, Stone and Let Me In – through a new distribution services ...
- 7/29/2010
- BusinessofCinema
One of the more impressive show-reels at Comic-Con was for the vampire thriller Let Me In (the remake of Let the Right One In) directed by Cloverfield's Matt Reeves. Overture Films will open the film October 1, and thanks to new owner Relativity Media, marketing chief Peter Adee assures me, the film will get a proper release. With proper handling it could become a mainstream hit, judging from the reaction in Hall H. The new Red Band trailer is posted below. The movie feels right. Reeves recognized that the original book and movie were set in the 80s in Sweden, so he too found a 80s period setting with snow (and tax incentives) in high-altitude Los Alamos, New Mexico that allowed him to tap into his ...
- 7/28/2010
- Thompson on Hollywood
Ryan Kavanaugh’s Relativity Media has acquired Overture Films‘ distribution and marketing operation from Starz LLC in a move that transforms Relativity into a full-fledged studio.
Two-thirds of Overture’s staff “or 45 employees” will make the move to Relativity, including top execs Peter Adee and Kyle Davies. They will retain their titles, with Adee serving as Relativity prexy of marketing, distribution and new media, and Kyle, exec VP of theatrical distribution.
Move comes not long after Relativity struck a lucrative pay TV deal with Netflix.
Relativity did not acquire Overture’s library, which stays under the Starz LLC umbrella, as does Anchor Bay homevid company Anchor Bay Entertainment.
Until now, Relativity has had to put its movies out through other studios. Acquiring the Overture team means it can distribute its own titles, including Rogue pics.
Relativity hopes to release as many as 25 titles by 2012.
Rogue’s distrib agreement with Universal is non-exclusive,...
Two-thirds of Overture’s staff “or 45 employees” will make the move to Relativity, including top execs Peter Adee and Kyle Davies. They will retain their titles, with Adee serving as Relativity prexy of marketing, distribution and new media, and Kyle, exec VP of theatrical distribution.
Move comes not long after Relativity struck a lucrative pay TV deal with Netflix.
Relativity did not acquire Overture’s library, which stays under the Starz LLC umbrella, as does Anchor Bay homevid company Anchor Bay Entertainment.
Until now, Relativity has had to put its movies out through other studios. Acquiring the Overture team means it can distribute its own titles, including Rogue pics.
Relativity hopes to release as many as 25 titles by 2012.
Rogue’s distrib agreement with Universal is non-exclusive,...
- 7/24/2010
- by Allan Ford
- Filmofilia
Skeptics of Relativity Media's Ryan Kavanaugh will have to admit that the aggressively ambitious 35-year-old Hollywood upstart is serious about turning his financing operation (he puts up the money for three-quarters of the movies made by Sony and Universal) into a real studio. After six years, the red-haired Wall street operator, who lost his venture capital firm during the 2001 market bust, has earned mogul status with the purchase from Starz of the distribution and marketing staff of Overture Films, which had been on the sales block and recently lost its top two execs, Chris McGurk and Danny Rosett. Overture marketing chief Peter Adee and distribution head Kyle Davies will move their teams--about 45 people, two-thirds of Overture's staff--over to Relativity to start up the company's ...
- 7/24/2010
- Thompson on Hollywood
Updates Starz Pushes McGurk And Rosett Out Of Overture Los Angeles – July 23, 2010 – Relativity Media will take over the distribution and marketing operations and some assets of the Starz Overture Films subsidiary. Approximately 45 staff members, or two-thirds of Overture’s employees, will make the move to Relativity Media, including Peter Adee, formerly Overture Films’ President of Worldwide Marketing, Distribution and New Media, and Kyle Davies, Executive Vice President Theatrical Distribution. Overture Films will release its remaining titles – Jack Goes Boating, Stone and Let Me In – through a new distribution services agreement with Relativity. “We are in a great position to bring the marketing and distribution savvy of Peter and Kyle, and their teams to our home at Relativity,” said Ryan Kavanaugh, CEO of Relativity Media, LLC. “As we've been expanding this area of our business finding a team with the experience and breadth and depth that Peter and Kyle's have couldn't...
- 7/23/2010
- by Nikki Finke
- Deadline Hollywood
Relativity Media will take over the distribution and marketing operations and some assets of the Starz Overture Films subsidiary. Approximately 45 staff members, or two-thirds of Overture's employees, will make the move to Relativity Media, including Peter Adee, formerly Overture Films' President of Worldwide Marketing, Distribution and New Media, and Kyle Davies, Executive Vice President Theatrical Distribution. Overture Films will release its remaining titles . Jack Goes Boating , Let Me In and Stone . through a new distribution services agreement with Relativity. "We are in a great position to bring the marketing and distribution savvy of Peter and Kyle, and their teams to our home at Relativity," said Ryan Kavanaugh, CEO of Relativity Media, LLC. "As we've...
- 7/23/2010
- Comingsoon.net
Ryan Kavanaugh's Relativity Media is taking over the distribution and marketing operations and some assets of the Starz Overture Films subsidiary.
Some 45 staff members, or two-thirds of Overture's employees, will make the move to Relativity Media in West Hollywood, including Peter Adee, formerly Overture Films' president of worldwide marketing, distribution and new media, and Kyle Davies, president, theatrical distribution.
The purchase effectively brings a marketing and distribution apparatus to Relativity's own film production operation, Rogue Pictures, whose movies will go out through a recent pay-tv deal that Kavanaugh's team clinched with Netflix. The Overture name itself will be retired.
"This essentially turns us into a full-fledged studio," Kavanaugh told THR. It does so, he went on to explain, by instantly adding marketing and distribution systems and expertise to his own development, production and film financing activities.
Relativity plans to release 12 of its own movies over the next...
Some 45 staff members, or two-thirds of Overture's employees, will make the move to Relativity Media in West Hollywood, including Peter Adee, formerly Overture Films' president of worldwide marketing, distribution and new media, and Kyle Davies, president, theatrical distribution.
The purchase effectively brings a marketing and distribution apparatus to Relativity's own film production operation, Rogue Pictures, whose movies will go out through a recent pay-tv deal that Kavanaugh's team clinched with Netflix. The Overture name itself will be retired.
"This essentially turns us into a full-fledged studio," Kavanaugh told THR. It does so, he went on to explain, by instantly adding marketing and distribution systems and expertise to his own development, production and film financing activities.
Relativity plans to release 12 of its own movies over the next...
- 7/23/2010
- by By Elizabeth Guider
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The resignation of Overture Films founders Chris McGurk and Danny Rosett late last week isn't just about the difficulties facing indie movie distributors: It's a direct result of a dramatically changed vision and turnover in management for all the Starz entertainment properties controlled by Liberty Media.
After Liberty/Starz put the film company up for sale, McGurk and Rosett had spent the past six months looking for buyers to acquire Overture and three other properties -- Anchor Bay Films, Film Roman and Starz Animation of Toronto -- under the Starz Media banner.
The asking price: $225 million plus assumption of $100 million in debt. There have been three bids for Starz Media since April, but Liberty has made no decision about whether to accept one of those offers, sell the companies individually or merge Starz Media back into Starz Entertainment, which operates 16 pay channels. Starz Entertainment itself is being split off as...
After Liberty/Starz put the film company up for sale, McGurk and Rosett had spent the past six months looking for buyers to acquire Overture and three other properties -- Anchor Bay Films, Film Roman and Starz Animation of Toronto -- under the Starz Media banner.
The asking price: $225 million plus assumption of $100 million in debt. There have been three bids for Starz Media since April, but Liberty has made no decision about whether to accept one of those offers, sell the companies individually or merge Starz Media back into Starz Entertainment, which operates 16 pay channels. Starz Entertainment itself is being split off as...
- 7/5/2010
- by By Alex Ben Block
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Starz, LLC president and CEO Chris Albrecht announced that Overture Films executives Chris McGurk and Danny Rosett, tendered their resignations due to differences over the strategic direction of the company. Overture president, worldwide marketing, distribution and new media Peter Adee will assume day-to-day operational responsibilities for the company and report directly to Albrecht. "I want to thank Chris and Danny for their dedication and hard work in building the studio from the ground up, and wish them well in their future business endeavors," said ...
- 7/2/2010
- BusinessofCinema
hollywoodnews.com: Chris Albrecht, president and chief executive officer of Starz, LLC, announced that Overture Films executives, Chris McGurk and Danny Rosett, tendered their resignations today due to differences over the strategic direction of the company. Peter Adee, president, worldwide marketing, distribution and new media for Overture, will assume day-to-day operational responsibilities for the company and report directly to Albrecht.
“I want to thank Chris and Danny for their dedication and hard work in building the studio from the ground up, and wish them well in their future business endeavors,” said Albrecht.
Founded in November 2006, Overture Films is a wholly owned subsidiary of Starz, LLC, which is a unit of Liberty Media Corp. and which also operates the Starz Entertainment premium television business and the Starz Media production and distribution company.
“I want to thank Chris and Danny for their dedication and hard work in building the studio from the ground up, and wish them well in their future business endeavors,” said Albrecht.
Founded in November 2006, Overture Films is a wholly owned subsidiary of Starz, LLC, which is a unit of Liberty Media Corp. and which also operates the Starz Entertainment premium television business and the Starz Media production and distribution company.
- 7/2/2010
- by HollywoodNews.com
- Hollywoodnews.com
Another indie bites the dust. At a time of serious contraction in the indie market, Overture Films has been on the block since January. The Chris McGurk/Danny Rosett era is now over. Since April 1, John Malone's Liberty Media had been examining six bids to buy the company, including the Gores brothers (who also bid for Miramax), but no movement was forthcoming on the possible sale of Overture and Starz Media. Overture CEO McGurk and COO Rosett couldn't buy or make anything, and had three films set for fall release, with no communication from above about the level of their marketing spends. They would have committed $50 million, but that might not have played with new Starz CEO Chris Albrecht. Now marketing chief Peter Adee will ...
- 7/2/2010
- Thompson on Hollywood
Overture Films chiefs Chris McGurk and Danny Rosett are stepping down from their posts due to "strategic differences" with owner Starz LLC, the company announced Thursday.
CEO McGurk, who also oversees Starz division Anchor Bay, and COO Rossett, are making way for Peter Adee, president, worldwide marketing, distribution and new media for Overture. He will report to Starz CEO Chris Albrecht.
"I want to thank Chris and Danny for their dedication and hard work in building the studio from the ground up and wish them well in their future business endeavors," said Albrecht.
CEO McGurk, who also oversees Starz division Anchor Bay, and COO Rossett, are making way for Peter Adee, president, worldwide marketing, distribution and new media for Overture. He will report to Starz CEO Chris Albrecht.
"I want to thank Chris and Danny for their dedication and hard work in building the studio from the ground up and wish them well in their future business endeavors," said Albrecht.
The aliens from Sony's "District 9" scored big during The Hollywood Reporter's 39th annual Key Art Awards.
Honoring the best in movie marketing, Friday's event at Vibiana in downtown Los Angeles saw "District 9" take home 11 awards, including the best-in-show prize for its integrating marketing campaigning as well as three other best-in-show laurels for its outdoor advertising (built around its "Bus Stop for Humans Bus Shelter"), TV spots and digital campaign.
The awards ceremony culminated with Sylvester Stallone receiving the Visionary Award, given annually to a filmmaker who inspires movie marketers.
"At the end of the day, there is no question that Sylvester Stallone delivers great product," THR publisher Lori Burgess said before calling Stallone to the candlelit stage at what once was the altar of the former St. Vibiana Roman Catholic cathedral, which has been converted to a party space. "He's put his stamp on film like very few people of his generation.
Honoring the best in movie marketing, Friday's event at Vibiana in downtown Los Angeles saw "District 9" take home 11 awards, including the best-in-show prize for its integrating marketing campaigning as well as three other best-in-show laurels for its outdoor advertising (built around its "Bus Stop for Humans Bus Shelter"), TV spots and digital campaign.
The awards ceremony culminated with Sylvester Stallone receiving the Visionary Award, given annually to a filmmaker who inspires movie marketers.
"At the end of the day, there is no question that Sylvester Stallone delivers great product," THR publisher Lori Burgess said before calling Stallone to the candlelit stage at what once was the altar of the former St. Vibiana Roman Catholic cathedral, which has been converted to a party space. "He's put his stamp on film like very few people of his generation.
- 6/11/2010
- by By Gregg Kilday
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Disney/PIxar's "Up" has earned 19 nominations, the most of any film, for The Hollywood Reporter's 39th annual Key Art Awards. Winners will be announced during an awards show set for June 11 at Vibiana in downtown Los Angeles.
Sony's "District 9" was next with 14 noms, followed by Warner Bros.' "The Hangover" with 12.
Ignition leads all agencies with 59 nominations, and Lionsgate collected the most studio noms, followed closely by Paramount and Warners.
Sylvester Stallone will receive the Visionary Award. An actor, writer and director, Stallone has branded his movies with vitality and a belief that a man can succeed against all odds. Former Visionary Award recipients include Sam Raimi and Judd Apatow.
THR received a record number of submissions for this year's awards, which will be given out in 74 categories; for the first time, nods will be handed out for 3D and best integrated marketing campaign. Thirteen Best in Show awards...
Sony's "District 9" was next with 14 noms, followed by Warner Bros.' "The Hangover" with 12.
Ignition leads all agencies with 59 nominations, and Lionsgate collected the most studio noms, followed closely by Paramount and Warners.
Sylvester Stallone will receive the Visionary Award. An actor, writer and director, Stallone has branded his movies with vitality and a belief that a man can succeed against all odds. Former Visionary Award recipients include Sam Raimi and Judd Apatow.
THR received a record number of submissions for this year's awards, which will be given out in 74 categories; for the first time, nods will be handed out for 3D and best integrated marketing campaign. Thirteen Best in Show awards...
- 5/10/2010
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
NEW YORK -- Overture has hired Jackson George as executive vp of creative advertising, reporting to the studio's marketing and distribution president Peter Adee.
George will supervise creative campaigns for the firm's theatrical releases, a role that encompasses trailers as well as television and print advertising.
He comes from entertainment marketing agency In Sync Advertising, where as creative director, he helped create campaigns for projects ranging from Inside Man to Fantastic 4 to Night at the Museum.
George joins Overture at a time that it is prepping a crop of releases, including the Charlize Theron drama Sleepwalking, the Sundance hit The Visitor and Robert DeNiro action pic Righteous Kill.
George will supervise creative campaigns for the firm's theatrical releases, a role that encompasses trailers as well as television and print advertising.
He comes from entertainment marketing agency In Sync Advertising, where as creative director, he helped create campaigns for projects ranging from Inside Man to Fantastic 4 to Night at the Museum.
George joins Overture at a time that it is prepping a crop of releases, including the Charlize Theron drama Sleepwalking, the Sundance hit The Visitor and Robert DeNiro action pic Righteous Kill.
NEW YORK -- Overture Films has appointed Adam Keen to manage all of its public relations operations as its senior vp worldwide publicity.
Keen will report to Overture president of worldwide marketing, distribution and new media Peter Adee. He will be based in the company's Beverly Hills offices and handle all of the new independent distributor's theatrical releases and corporate communications.
He joins the company after two years as vp of I/D Public Relations, where he founded the company's entertainment and brand division. Keen worked with such clients as Overture, Fox Searchlight, Starbucks Entertainment, M.A.C and First Look Pictures. The executive previously was senior vp special projects at MGM/UA for five years, where he worked on campaigns for Bowling for Columbine and the Legally Blonde and Barbershop films, among others.
"It is a thrill to be back in business with my MGM and United Artists colleagues Chris McGurk, Danny Rosett and Peter Adee," Keen said. Before MGM/UA, Keen worked on special projects in the marketing division of DreamWorks SKG.
Keen will report to Overture president of worldwide marketing, distribution and new media Peter Adee. He will be based in the company's Beverly Hills offices and handle all of the new independent distributor's theatrical releases and corporate communications.
He joins the company after two years as vp of I/D Public Relations, where he founded the company's entertainment and brand division. Keen worked with such clients as Overture, Fox Searchlight, Starbucks Entertainment, M.A.C and First Look Pictures. The executive previously was senior vp special projects at MGM/UA for five years, where he worked on campaigns for Bowling for Columbine and the Legally Blonde and Barbershop films, among others.
"It is a thrill to be back in business with my MGM and United Artists colleagues Chris McGurk, Danny Rosett and Peter Adee," Keen said. Before MGM/UA, Keen worked on special projects in the marketing division of DreamWorks SKG.
- 6/12/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Overture Films has beefed up its marketing division by hiring Elana Sulzer as senior vp media.
Before joining Overture, she was vp media at Universal Pictures, where she developed and executed advertising strategies for such films as "The Mummy" franchise, "Seabiscuit", "Ray" and "The 40-Year-Old Virgin". Sulzer, who began her career at Universal nearly a decade ago, supervised media planning and buying on cable, new media, network television and syndication for the studio.
In her new post, Sulzer will report to Peter Adee, president of worldwide marketing, distribution and new media.
"I have worked with Elana and know her to be an exceptional, forward-thinking executive who brings to Overture a tremendous amount of experience and skill," Adee said.
Earlier this year, Overture made its first acquisition, picking up all U.S. rights to "Ferris Wheel", a drama about a young girl's search for parental love, starring Charlize Theron. Overture also is in active development on "105 Degrees and Rising", a co-venture with Echo Lake Entertainment, and is in production on the Diane Keaton-Queen Latifah starrer "Mad Money".
Before joining Overture, she was vp media at Universal Pictures, where she developed and executed advertising strategies for such films as "The Mummy" franchise, "Seabiscuit", "Ray" and "The 40-Year-Old Virgin". Sulzer, who began her career at Universal nearly a decade ago, supervised media planning and buying on cable, new media, network television and syndication for the studio.
In her new post, Sulzer will report to Peter Adee, president of worldwide marketing, distribution and new media.
"I have worked with Elana and know her to be an exceptional, forward-thinking executive who brings to Overture a tremendous amount of experience and skill," Adee said.
Earlier this year, Overture made its first acquisition, picking up all U.S. rights to "Ferris Wheel", a drama about a young girl's search for parental love, starring Charlize Theron. Overture also is in active development on "105 Degrees and Rising", a co-venture with Echo Lake Entertainment, and is in production on the Diane Keaton-Queen Latifah starrer "Mad Money".
NEW YORK -- New indie distributor Overture Films has appointed Greg Forston senior vp theatrical distribution and Lauren Kisilevsky vp productions and acquisitions.
Forston will report to executive vp theatrical distribution Kyle Davies. Kisilevsky will report to both Robert Kessel, New York-based executive vp production and acquisitions, and Sean Furst, Beverly Hills-based executive vp production and acquisitions. Each of them will work in the company's California offices.
Kisilevsky's hire, along with the recent appointment of creative executive Jessica Shulman, completes the filling of key positions in Overture's production and acquisitions department. Kessel announced Forston's hire and worldwide president of marketing, distribution and new media Peter Adee announced Forston's arrival. New distribution, marketing and publicity staff announcements will come in the next few weeks.
Forston served briefly as a senior vp distribution at Fine Line Features in early 2005 after working as vp sales at IFC Films from 2000-05. Before working at IFC Films, Forston served in theatrical distribution and marketing for Palm Pictures/Manga Entertainment.
Forston will report to executive vp theatrical distribution Kyle Davies. Kisilevsky will report to both Robert Kessel, New York-based executive vp production and acquisitions, and Sean Furst, Beverly Hills-based executive vp production and acquisitions. Each of them will work in the company's California offices.
Kisilevsky's hire, along with the recent appointment of creative executive Jessica Shulman, completes the filling of key positions in Overture's production and acquisitions department. Kessel announced Forston's hire and worldwide president of marketing, distribution and new media Peter Adee announced Forston's arrival. New distribution, marketing and publicity staff announcements will come in the next few weeks.
Forston served briefly as a senior vp distribution at Fine Line Features in early 2005 after working as vp sales at IFC Films from 2000-05. Before working at IFC Films, Forston served in theatrical distribution and marketing for Palm Pictures/Manga Entertainment.
- 4/11/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Kyle Davies has been named executive vp theatrical distribution for Overture Films, the new production and distribution company that is a unit of Liberty Media's Starz.
Davies will be based at Overture's Beverly Hills headquarters, where he will report to Peter Adee, president of marketing, distribution and new media, who announced the appointment Wednesday. He will be responsible for the company's domestic distribution operations, which are expected to handle eight to 12 films per year.
Davis comes to Overture from Paramount Pictures, where he was senior vp Western division for Paramount Pictures Motion Picture Distribution. He joined Paramount last year when the Melrose Avenue studio acquired DreamWorks, where Davies was senior vp distribution in the central division.
"The changing environment in the theatrical distribution business presents many new challenges and just as many opportunities," Adee said. "We think Kyle's combination of know-how and foresight makes him the perfect person for the job."
Davies said: "Having worked on the exhibition and distribution sides of the business, I'm ready for the opportunity to work at Overture."...
Davies will be based at Overture's Beverly Hills headquarters, where he will report to Peter Adee, president of marketing, distribution and new media, who announced the appointment Wednesday. He will be responsible for the company's domestic distribution operations, which are expected to handle eight to 12 films per year.
Davis comes to Overture from Paramount Pictures, where he was senior vp Western division for Paramount Pictures Motion Picture Distribution. He joined Paramount last year when the Melrose Avenue studio acquired DreamWorks, where Davies was senior vp distribution in the central division.
"The changing environment in the theatrical distribution business presents many new challenges and just as many opportunities," Adee said. "We think Kyle's combination of know-how and foresight makes him the perfect person for the job."
Davies said: "Having worked on the exhibition and distribution sides of the business, I'm ready for the opportunity to work at Overture."...
The movie business has another much-needed new buyer.
On Monday, Liberty Media Corp.'s Starz Llc. announced the launch of Overture Films, a Film Production and distribution company, which it is funding to the tune of $500 million. Liberty chairman John Malone has installed Starz Media senior adviser and former MGM vice chairman Chris McGurk, an 18-year industry veteran, as CEO, and his former United Artists president Danny Rosett as chief operating officer.
Overture, billing itself as a studio, plans to produce or acquire eight to 12 live-action features a year and distribute them, which will feed much-needed content to Malone's hungry premium television business, Starz Entertainment, as well as its Vongo Internet subscription movie download service.
Liberty and Starz are fully funding Overture's overhead as well as all negative and P&A costs on their films. "This was a chance to build something from the ground up for the 21st century," McGurk said. "For the last 18 years I've taken high-level jobs at studios where you spend a lot of time fixing things that are broken. We're offering one thing that is scarce today: soup-to-nuts quality domestic distribution. We don't need money. We need great movies."
With five-year deals in place for pay-TV at Starz and home video distribution at Anchor Bay Entertainment, McGurk and Rosett will now start building some strong theatrical marketing and distribution muscle for their new studio. Former MGM executives Peter Adee and Erik Lomis are likely candidates. McGurk said will not pull the trigger on any projects until the key marketing and distribution positions are filled.
On Monday, Liberty Media Corp.'s Starz Llc. announced the launch of Overture Films, a Film Production and distribution company, which it is funding to the tune of $500 million. Liberty chairman John Malone has installed Starz Media senior adviser and former MGM vice chairman Chris McGurk, an 18-year industry veteran, as CEO, and his former United Artists president Danny Rosett as chief operating officer.
Overture, billing itself as a studio, plans to produce or acquire eight to 12 live-action features a year and distribute them, which will feed much-needed content to Malone's hungry premium television business, Starz Entertainment, as well as its Vongo Internet subscription movie download service.
Liberty and Starz are fully funding Overture's overhead as well as all negative and P&A costs on their films. "This was a chance to build something from the ground up for the 21st century," McGurk said. "For the last 18 years I've taken high-level jobs at studios where you spend a lot of time fixing things that are broken. We're offering one thing that is scarce today: soup-to-nuts quality domestic distribution. We don't need money. We need great movies."
With five-year deals in place for pay-TV at Starz and home video distribution at Anchor Bay Entertainment, McGurk and Rosett will now start building some strong theatrical marketing and distribution muscle for their new studio. Former MGM executives Peter Adee and Erik Lomis are likely candidates. McGurk said will not pull the trigger on any projects until the key marketing and distribution positions are filled.
- 11/14/2006
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Eric Kops has been upped to executive vp worldwide publicity at MGM Distribution Co. Kops, who reports to president of worldwide marketing Peter Adee, is responsible for overseeing publicity efforts on behalf of all MGM and United Artists theatrical releases. Working with execs Andrew Bernstein, Kristin Borella and Debra Nathin-Solomons on MGM films and with Mary Ann Hult on UA releases, Kops oversees the entire publicity staff for both studios. "Eric consistently proves himself to be one of the most valuable members of our marketing team," Adee said in making the announcement. "He and his team have created several memorable publicity campaigns and consistently find new and exciting ways to publicize our films. Enthusiastic and energetic, Eric does a wonderful job."...
- 4/14/2004
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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