Sony Pictures Entertainment has promoted Andrew Gumpert to president of worldwide business affairs and operations for the Sony Pictures Entertainment Motion Picture Group, studio chairman Tom Rothman announced Tuesday.
Gumpert previously served in a similar capacity for Columbia Pictures. By adding the studio’s other divisions to his portfolio, Sony will consolidate its dealmaking responsibilities under Gumpert, who will report directly to Rothman.
Gumpert will work closely with Motion Picture Group president Doug Belgrad to set and implement the studio’s day-to-day business operations and business affairs strategies.
In addition to his deal-making responsibilities, Gumpert will remain directly involved with the studio’s most high-level strategic planning, including overseeing (along with the studio’s CFO, Stefan Litt) the studio’s relationships with its outside financing partners, such as Lonestar Capital and Village Roadshow.
Gumpert will also oversee the business affairs and strategic operations for Columbia Live Stage, the studio’s theatrical group, which is creatively overseen by Lia Vollack. That group is currently developing several projects, including the musical “Groundhog Day,” based on the 1993 Bill Murray movie, with Tim Minchin/Matthew Warchus (“Matilda”), Scott Rudin (“The Book of Mormon”) and Danny Rubin, the writer of the original film, who’s writing the book for the show.
As part of the promotion, the senior business affairs executive for each motion picture group production division will now report to Gumpert, with each division having a dedicated business affairs team.
At Columbia, Michael Marshall has been promoted to head of business affairs and will serve as executive VP of business affairs and administration, working closely with senior VPs Lumumba Mosquera and Mark Wyman.
At TriStar, Brian Burkin has been promoted to executive VP/head of business affairs.
At Sony Pictures Animation, Jeffrey Korchek, who most recently served at Mattel as VP of licensing acquisitions, business affairs and aontent, has been hired as executive VP of business affairs and strategy. Korchek will supervise Kym Wulfe, who is being promoted to senior VP of business affairs. Ronni Coulter, who has overseen business affairs for the animation studio for more than nine years, will be retiring from the studio.
At Screen Gems, VP of business affairs Carol Smithson will head business affairs and continue to work closely with EVP and general manager Pam Kunath.
Laine Kline has joined the studio as executive VP of business affairs for international productions. Kline joins the studio from 20th Century Fox, where he was head of business affairs at Fox International Productions.
“Gump is an incredible executive and has compiled a terrific team. He is smart and dedicated and creative and honest. He has Doug’s and my full confidence, as does the outstanding team he supervises. We congratulate all of our fine colleagues on their promotions,” said Rothman.