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Appointment Rounds out Leadership Team for Company's Global Distribution Business
SANTA MONICA, Calif. and VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Aug. 3, 2017 -- 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.
"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
