SANTA MONICA, Calif. and
VANCOUVER, British Columbia,
Oct. 4, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Global
content leader Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF.A, LGF.B) has signed industry
veteran David Spitz to a new
long-term deal as President of Domestic Theatrical Distribution,
the Company announced today.
During his more than 20–year tenure with Lionsgate and its
predecessor companies, Spitz has helped launch the global
blockbuster Hunger Games franchise, the John Wick
action series, multiple Academy Award® winners La La Land,
Hacksaw Ridge, Crash and Precious, the breakout
sensation Wonder and the sleeper hit The Hitman's
Bodyguard. He has also shepherded the distribution of the
eight Saw films, the highest-grossing long-running horror
franchise of all time, and all 19 Tyler Perry films.
Spitz has also been instrumental in helping to build the
Pantelion film brand with the box office successes Overboard,
How to Be a Latin Lover, and Instructions Not Included,
the highest-grossing Spanish-language film ever released in the
U.S. In addition, he has played a key role in establishing
Lionsgate's Codeblack Films as a prominent urban film label.
"David's distribution leadership is a key element in guiding our
business forward," said Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Chairman
Joe Drake. "He has great
relationships with exhibitors, talent, and our studio partners, and
a deep understanding of the right release dates and best
distribution strategies for our movies. He will continue to
be an integral part of our motion picture leadership team in the
years ahead."
"I'm thrilled to be part of the most innovative and visionary
studio in the business and fortunate to be surrounded by an
incredibly talented group of distribution executives led by
Mike Polydoros and Shaun Barber," said Spitz. "I look forward to
the enormous opportunities that lie ahead for our Company, our
industry, and our theatrical movie-going audiences."
Mr. Spitz began his entertainment industry career as a film
buyer for Mann Theaters in 1990. He served two years as a
regional branch manager for MGM Distribution before joining LIVE
Entertainment in October 1996 as
Western Division Manager. LIVE Entertainment became
Lionsgate's predecessor company Artisan, releasing the blockbuster
The Blair Witch Project in 1999. Mr. Spitz joined
Lionsgate as part of the Company's acquisition of Artisan in
2003.
Upcoming Lionsgate releases include the action thriller
Hunter Killer, the adventure
epic Robin Hood, the third
installment of the John Wick action franchise, the Seth
Rogen/Charlize Theron comedy
Flarsky and Roland Emmerich's
action drama Midway.
ABOUT LIONSGATE
The first major new studio in decades, Lionsgate is a global
content leader 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, video games, esports
and other new entertainment technologies. Lionsgate's content
initiatives are backed by a nearly 17,000-title film and television
library and delivered through a global sales and distribution
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 media inquiries, please contact:
Peter D. Wilkes
Pwilkes@lionsgate.com
(310) 255-3726
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SOURCE Lionsgate