Robert Simonds’ new studio named Rich Sullivan and Philip Goore to the company’s expanding team.
Sullivan will take the role of chief financial officer and Goore will serve as executive vice president of business and legal affairs.
“As we continue to build our team, Rich and Phil add essential strength to our company,” Simonds said. “Both are enormously well respected for their business leadership, experience and acumen and we couldn’t have recruited two executives better suited for their jobs. We look forward to their excellent counsel, guidance and governance and welcome them both to our team.”
Also read: Jack Pan Joins Robert Simonds’ New Studio as President of Marketing
The two are among the latest high-profile hires for the company that launched four months ago. The studio recruited former Disney production and marketing chief Oren Aviv as its president and chief content officer of the Motion Picture Group, and Adam Fogelson signed on as motion picture chairman.
Sullivan will report to studio COO Thomas McGrath. He most recently served as deputy chief financial officer for Dreamworks Animation SKG, where he was head of investor relations and corporate finance.
Goore will report to General Counsel Noah Fogelson. He will oversee talent and rights deals while also evaluating and advising on studio business issues, including marketing contracts, guilds, tax, credits, co-production and financing agreements. Since 1999, Goore has served in senior business affairs roles at three studios: Universal Pictures, New Line Cinema and DreamWorks.
Also read: Adam Fogelson Embraces New Role: ‘I Didn’t Want to Go Back to Another Studio’
The company’s Board of Directors has several prominent players in the world of global finance and entertainment such as Frank Biondi, former president and CEO of Viacom and former chairman and CEO of Universal Studios; Tony Vinciquerra, former Chairman and CEO of Fox Networks Group; Gigi Pritzker (“Drive”), film and stage producer, businesswoman and filmmaker; David Bonderman, founding partner of TPG; Bill McGlashan, managing partner and founder of TPG Growth; and John Zhao, CEO of Hony Capital, one of China’s largest and most respected private equity firms.
The studio has already scored its first major television production commitment with NBC’s recent primetime pick-up of the drama series “State of Affairs,” starring Katherine Heigl. The show will debut this November.