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Tag: Michael Lynton

  • Sony Entertainment CEO Lynton stepping down; Hirai to take on more responsibility

    Sony Entertainment CEO Lynton stepping down; Hirai to take on more responsibility

    MUMBAI: Sony Entertainment CEO Michael Lynton will on 2 February reportedly step down as he plans to focus on his role as the chairman of the board of Snap Inc., owner of Snapchat.

    The entertainment industry is undergoing major transformative changes, and Lynton’s expertise in the media and entertainment space had been invaluable. Lynton implemented structural and management changes at Sony which would help its music business sustain its good momentum, and the pictures business to set the path for restoring profitability, although Sony recognises the challenges in the motion-pictures business would take some time.

    Lynton will however stay on as co-CEO of Sony Entertainment for six months, overseeing the music and pictures businesses, and as the CEO of Sony Corporation of America and Sony Pictures Entertainment, so as to help a smooth change-over, the World Screen has reported.

    Tokyo-based Sony Corporation president and CEO Kazuo Hirai is scheduled to take on an enhanced hands-on role within the company’s television, movie and music division.

    Lynton has said that it had been an extraordinary 13 years and an honour to work with Sony’s some of the most creative and talented people in the entertainment space. He said he had been involved with Snapchat since its early days, and, given its rise since, decided the time was ripe to focus on his role as the Snap Inc. board chairman.

    Hirai said he wanted to thank Lynton for his strong leadership at Sony throughout his illustrious career.

  • Sony Entertainment CEO Lynton stepping down; Hirai to take on more responsibility

    Sony Entertainment CEO Lynton stepping down; Hirai to take on more responsibility

    MUMBAI: Sony Entertainment CEO Michael Lynton will on 2 February reportedly step down as he plans to focus on his role as the chairman of the board of Snap Inc., owner of Snapchat.

    The entertainment industry is undergoing major transformative changes, and Lynton’s expertise in the media and entertainment space had been invaluable. Lynton implemented structural and management changes at Sony which would help its music business sustain its good momentum, and the pictures business to set the path for restoring profitability, although Sony recognises the challenges in the motion-pictures business would take some time.

    Lynton will however stay on as co-CEO of Sony Entertainment for six months, overseeing the music and pictures businesses, and as the CEO of Sony Corporation of America and Sony Pictures Entertainment, so as to help a smooth change-over, the World Screen has reported.

    Tokyo-based Sony Corporation president and CEO Kazuo Hirai is scheduled to take on an enhanced hands-on role within the company’s television, movie and music division.

    Lynton has said that it had been an extraordinary 13 years and an honour to work with Sony’s some of the most creative and talented people in the entertainment space. He said he had been involved with Snapchat since its early days, and, given its rise since, decided the time was ripe to focus on his role as the Snap Inc. board chairman.

    Hirai said he wanted to thank Lynton for his strong leadership at Sony throughout his illustrious career.

  • Sony Pictures Television promotes Steve Mosko as chairman

    Sony Pictures Television promotes Steve Mosko as chairman

    MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Television president Steve Mosko has promoted as the chairman of the company. 

     

    Mosko will continue to oversee all television operations for Sony Pictures Entertainment worldwide. He will report to Sony Entertainment CEO Michael Lynton.

     

    “Under Steve’s leadership, Sony Pictures Television has become the industry’s largest independent television studio. Our media networks business has expanded to over 150 channel feeds around the world and the company is well-positioned for growth in both production and distribution. Steve is a remarkable executive and we are proud to have him at the helm of Sony Pictures Television,” said Lynton. 

     

    Mosko added, “I am honored to be named chairman, and grateful to Michael, my colleagues at Sony Pictures, and to the incredible team at Sony Pictures Television, whose hard work and dedication has built the successful global business we have today.”

     

    A Sony Pictures Entertainment executive for more than two decades, Mosko oversees global television production, distribution of feature film and television content, and the studio’s international networks available in 180 countries, reaching more than 1.3 billion cumulative households worldwide, including Crackle, SPE’s video streaming service, and GSN, cable’s game show network.

     

    Mosko joined Sony Pictures Entertainment in 1992, and was named president of Sony Pictures Television in 2000. In this role, Mosko built on the studio’s syndication business, overseeing first-run and off-network program sales in more than 200 markets and supervising efforts of regional offices in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, and Dallas.

  • 21st Century Fox CEO James Murdoch to speak at Ignition 2015

    21st Century Fox CEO James Murdoch to speak at Ignition 2015

    MUMBAI: Ignition 2015: Future of Digital, which is Business Insider’s flagship annual conference, will see 21st Century Fox CEO James Murdoch as a key speaker.

     

    The conference is scheduled to take place on 8 – 9 December, 2015 in New York City.

     

    Ignition has brought together the best minds in media and technology to share what they see on the horizon. Through unscripted interviews, cutting-edge demos, and insights from industry pioneers, they will highlight key trends to be aware of and what one needs to do to stay ahead.

     

    In his nearly two-decade career with 21st Century Fox, Murdoch has held an impressive succession of leadership roles. He has had direct responsibility for the company’s expansion, strategic transactions, and transformative growth. Under his leadership, the company’s cable and broadcasting networks reach more than 1.8 billion subscribers everyday. Murdoch previously served as co-COO, chairman and CEO for Europe and Asia, and chairman of BSkyB, Sky Deutschland, and Sky Italia.

     

    Apart from Murdoch, the other key speakers at Ignition 2015 are as follows: Sony Pictures Entertainment chairman & CEO Michael Lynton, Time Warner Inc. chairman & CEO Jeff Bewkes, CBS Corporation president & CEO Leslie Moonves, Comcast chairman & CEO Brian Roberts, BuzzFeed founder & CEO Jonah Peretti, TheStreet.com chairman Jim Cramer, Facebook VP of Global Marketing Solutions Carolyn Everson, Rent the Runway co-founder & CEO Jennifer Hyman, GE chairman & CEO Jeff Immelt, Verizon chairman & CEO Lowell McAdam, DraftKings CEO Jason Robins, Vimeo CEO Kerry Trainor, Sourcepoint Technologies, Inc. founder & CEO Ben Barokas, Interlude founder & CEO Yoni Bloch, GE executive director, global brand marketing Linda Boff, Breyer Capital founder & CEO Jim Breyer, Hulu CEO Mike Hopkins, Sharethrough president Patrick Keane, Getty Images co-founder & chairman Jonathan Klein, Blendle co-founder Alexander Klöpping, CBS Interactive president & CEO Jim Lanzone, RBC Capital Markets Managing director, Internet Mark Mahaney, Piper Jaffray Managing director & Senior Research Analyst Gene Munster, Smarty Pants Chief Brainiac Stephanie Retblatt, Gilt Groupe chairman & founder Kevin Ryan, Blue Apron co-founder & CEO Matthew Salzberg, Taboola founder & CEO Adam Singolda, The New York Times Company president & CEO Mark Thompson, Refinery29 co-founder & co-CEO Philippe von Borries and Roku founder & CEO Anthony Wood.

     

    Additionally, speakers from Business Insider will be editor-in-chief & CEO Henry Blodget, chief correspondent Nicholas Carlson, deputy editor, tech insider Steve Kovach, deputy editor, tech, science, and entertainment Alyson Shontell and executive editor Jay Yarow.

     

    In its sixth year now, Ignition 2015 aims to give a new understanding of the transformations taking place in the digital world. Close to 700 senior executives in technology, media, entertainment, investment, and finance will be discussing innovative ideas.

  • MPAA extends CEO Chris Dodd’s contract to 2018

    MPAA extends CEO Chris Dodd’s contract to 2018

    MUMBAI: The Motion Picture Association of America, Inc. (MPAA) has extended chairman CEO Chris Dodd’s contract to 2018.

     

    In a joint statement, MPAA member companies’ representatives namely – Twentieth Century Fox chairman and CEO Jim Gianopulos, Paramount Pictures chairman and CEO Brad Grey, Walt Disney Studios chairman Alan Horn, Sony Pictures Entertainment chairman and CEO Michael Lynton, NBC Universal vice chairman Ron Meyer, Universal Filmed Entertainment chairman Jeff Shell, Warner Bros. Entertainment chairman and CEO Kevin Tsujihara said, “We are pleased to announce that Chris has agreed to extend his contract into 2018. He has been an impactful leader and a vigorous champion for the industry. We are confident he will continue to effectively help steer our interests through a challenging media and policy landscape and represent our member companies around the globe.”

     

    Dodd added, “I am grateful to our member companies for their continued support. This is an exciting time of almost unparalleled creativity and innovation in film and television and I look forward to continuing to promote and protect that creativity, and the jobs of the men and women who go to work in this industry every day.”

  • Sanford Panitch named Sony Pictures Entertainment president intl. film & TV

    Sanford Panitch named Sony Pictures Entertainment president intl. film & TV

    MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) has appointed Sanford Panitch as president of international film and television.  

     

    Panitch comes to SPE after serving as president of Fox International Productions, a division of 20th Century Fox.

     

    Sony Pictures Entertainment CEO Michael Lynton said, “Sanford is a talented and strategic senior executive with an exceptional career working with a wide range of international productions and talent. There is tremendous growth potential in the international and local language markets, and we are thrilled to have someone with Sanford’s experience join our team.”

     

    In his new role, Panitch will report directly to Lynton. He will oversee global film and television co-productions as well as local language film and television productions. In international television, he will coordinate with Sony Pictures Television president of international production Andrea Wong, who will continue with all her responsibilities supervising international television production.

     

    “I’m honored to join the SPE team at this pivotal moment in the studio’s history. I am eternally grateful for my years at Fox working with Jim and all my long time colleagues. This new role comes at a time of unprecedented change in the international marketplace especially in television; it’s a wonderful and unique opportunity to work with Steve Mosko, his outstanding organization and again with my friend Tom Rothman,” added Panitch.

     

    Panitch joins SPE following a successful tenure at Fox. As the founding president of Fox International Productions, he oversaw all local production activities in 12 territories around the globe in Latin America, Europe, India and China. Before establishing the division, Panitch served as New Regency filmed entertainment president and 20th Century Fox executive vice president of production.

  • Tom Rothman replaces Amy Pascal at Sony Pictures Entertainment

    Tom Rothman replaces Amy Pascal at Sony Pictures Entertainment

    MUMBAI: After “firing” Amy Pascal in the wake of the email hack scandal, Sony Pictures Entertainment has now brought on board Thomas E. Rothman as chairman of its motion picture group.

     

    Sony Entertainment chairman and CEO Michael Lynton’s contract has also been extended. Lynton will continue to oversee Sony’s global entertainment businesses, which include Sony Music Entertainment, Sony/ATV Music Publishing and SPE.

     

    As chairman of the Motion Picture Group, Rothman will oversee all of Sony’s movie activities worldwide and will report to Lynton. He will also work with Pascal to “ensure a smooth and orderly transition.” Pascal is now an independent producer at the studio.

     

    Rothman is currently chairman of SPE’s TriStar Productions. He will continue to oversee TriStar and its slate of films for the near term, which includes Ricki and the Flash, Billy Lynn, Money Monster and The Walk.

     

    “Tom has had an extraordinary career and we are thrilled to have him run the Motion Picture Group. Tom’s creativity, strong talent relationships and track record of enduring films and commercial success are unparalleled in this industry and exactly what we are looking for to grow our film business. Having run Fox Filmed Entertainment during a time of great successes and growth for that studio, and then producing at TriStar here at SPE, Tom knows this business inside and out like few others do,” said Lynton.

     

    “I am grateful for and humbled by the opportunity to lead the Motion Picture Group. I have had the pleasure of working closely with the exceptionally talented teams at SPE for the past year, and I am excited to build on those relationships in this new role. I want to thank Michael and Amy for their support ever since I came to the lot with TriStar. I am thrilled at this rare opportunity to lead the Motion Picture Group at such an exciting and transformative time for the studio,” Rothman added.

     

    Rothman previously co-led Fox Filmed Entertainment from 2000 to 2012 and founded that studio’s Fox Searchlight unit and headed worldwide production for the Samuel Goldwyn Company from 1989 to 1994. He also worked at Columbia Pictures from 1987 to 1989.

  • ‘Spider-Man’ swings back to Marvel in partnership with Sony Pictures

    ‘Spider-Man’ swings back to Marvel in partnership with Sony Pictures

    MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Entertainment is bringing Marvel Studios into the amazing world of Spider-Man.

     

    Under the deal, the new Spider-Man will first appear in a Marvel film from Marvel’s Cinematic Universe (MCU). Sony Pictures will thereafter release the next installment of its $4 billion Spider-Man franchise, on 28 July, 2017, in a film that will be co-produced by Kevin Feige and his expert team at Marvel and Amy Pascal, who oversaw the franchise launch for the studio 13 years ago. Together, they will collaborate on a new creative direction for the web slinger. Sony Pictures will continue to finance, distribute, own and have final creative control of the Spider-Man films.

     

    Marvel and Sony Pictures are also exploring opportunities to integrate characters from the MCU into future Spider-Man films.

     

    The new relationship follows a decade of speculation among fans about whether Spider-Man – who has always been an integral and important part of the larger Marvel Universe in the comic books – could become part of the Marvel Universe on the big screen. Spider-Man has more than 50 years of history in Marvel’s world, and with this deal, fans will be able to experience Spider-Man taking his rightful place among other Super Heroes in the MCU.

     

    The Walt Disney Company chairman and CEO Bob Iger said, “Spider-Man is one of Marvel’s great characters, beloved around the world. We’re thrilled to work with Sony Pictures to bring the iconic web-slinger into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which opens up fantastic new opportunities for storytelling and franchise building.”

     

    “We always want to collaborate with the best and most successful filmmakers to grow our franchises and develop our characters. Marvel, Kevin Feige and Amy, who helped orchestrate this deal, are the perfect team to help produce the next chapter of Spider-Man. This is the right decision for the franchise, for our business, for Marvel, and for the fans,” said Sony Pictures Entertainment chairman and CEO Michael Lynton.

     

    “Sony Pictures and Marvel Studios share a love for the characters in the Spider-Man universe and have a long, successful history of working together. This new level of collaboration is the perfect way to take Peter Parker’s story into the future,” added Sony Pictures Entertainment Motion Picture Group president Doug Belgrad.

     

    “I am thrilled to team with my friends at Sony Pictures along with Amy Pascal to produce the next Spider-Man movie. Amy has been deeply involved in the realization on film of one of the world’s most beloved characters. Marvel’s involvement will hopefully deliver the creative continuity and authenticity that fans demand from the MCU. I am equally excited for the opportunity to have Spider-Man appear in the MCU, something which both we at Marvel, and fans alike, have been looking forward to for years,” said Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige.

     

    Spider-Man, embraced all over the world, is the most successful franchise in the history of Sony Pictures, with the five films having taken in more than $4 billion worldwide.

  • Sony mulls alternate distribution options for ‘The Interview’

    Sony mulls alternate distribution options for ‘The Interview’

    NEW DELHI: Sony Pictures is still considering options for distributing controversial comedy The Interview following the decision to pull its theatrical release in the wake of a rumoured North Korean hacking attack.

     

    David Boies, speaking on NBC’s Meet the Press, said Sony had “only delayed” any release. “Sony has been fighting to get this picture distributed. It will be distributed,” Boies claimed. “How it’s going to be distributed, I don’t think anybody knows quite yet, but it’s going to be distributed.”

     

    Midweek, following the theatres owners’ decision not to screen the movie, Sony Pictures said it had “no further release plans for the film,” and company representatives declined to elaborate on Boies’ remarks.

     

    Nevertheless, Sony did refute a New York Post report that it was seeking to release the film for free via ad-supported online video site Crackle, which it owns. “No decisions have been made. Sony is still exploring options for distribution,” said a spokesman.

     

    Sony Entertainment CEO Michael Lynton told CNN on Friday 19 December that the studio had not “given in” to pressure from hackers and was still considering ways to distribute the movie.

     

  • Sony interested in buying TV networks in India

    Sony interested in buying TV networks in India

    MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Entertainment is interested in buying additional TV networks in India, a report by Variety, a US-based source of entertainment news, said quoting Sony Pictures Entertainment CEO Michael Lynton.

     

    Sony Pictures Entertainment’s India subsidiary Multi Screen Media currently owns 10 channels.

     

    The Variety report said Lynton emphasises that the company would be interested in buying additional TV networks in India or deploying capital in additional production companies outside of the US, but not in growing its film library through major acquisitions.

     

    Referring to Sony Corp’s investor conference late last year, the report said Lynton and Sony Pictures Entertainment co-chairman Amy Pascal, had said at Sony Corp’s investor conference late last year, that the studio was going to pour more resources into its television business as it was cutting back on its movie production.

     

    What is more surprising is that Pascal had then said that she would be assuming oversight of the TV production division.

     

    The report quotes Sony Corp CEO Kazuo Hirai as saying that the company is not selling its entertainment business. “We’re looking at selling businesses on the electronics side that we don’t deem to be core,” Hirai says, adding, “We sold off our chemicals business and all this other stuff. … I’m not entertaining even the notion of selling our entertainment assets.”

     

    Variety noted that Sony Imageworks shuttered its branch in India after previously closing its New Mexico operation and is in the process of shifting jobs from Los Angeles to Vancouver. Scores of employees are being laid off in the process.

     

    Between 2007 and 2013, Sony invested $415 million in media networks and $960 million in cable and broadcast TV production. Those sectors accounted for 39 per cent, or $3.4 billion of Sony Pictures’ $8.8 billion revenue in 2013.