Sanford Panitch Continues as President of Sony’s Motion Picture Group
In an exciting development for Sony Pictures, Sanford Panitch will continue to lead as President of the Motion Picture Group. Panitch previously shared this role with Josh Greenstein, who is transitioning to Paramount after the recent sale to Skydance.
This leadership shift sees several key promotions within the organization:
- Peter Kang has been elevated to President of Production at Columbia Pictures.
- Nicholas Weiss and Dave Fruchbom have been named co-heads of Global Creative and Strategy.
- Andrea “Ange” Giannetti is now Executive Vice President of Production and Senior Creative for Columbia Pictures.
Continuity in Marketing Leadership
Danielle Misher, who heads Theatrical Marketing, and Steven O’Dell, President of International Marketing and Distribution, will continue to manage Sony’s marketing strategies. Weiss and Fruchbom will report directly to Misher, collaborating closely with O’Dell on international marketing efforts. Meanwhile, Kang and Giannetti will maintain their reporting lines to Panitch, while Misher and O’Dell will report to Tom Rothman, CEO and Chairman of Sony’s Motion Picture Group.
A Fond Farewell to Josh Greenstein
In a statement, Rothman expressed his regret at Greenstein’s departure, saying, “We are all sorry to see Josh go. He has been a wonderful colleague for many years, and we wish him the very best.” Rothman emphasized the importance of having a strong team, highlighting the talent within their marketing group. He praised Weiss and Fruchbom for their creative advertising expertise and expressed confidence in the team’s ability to elevate Sony’s marketing efforts.
Celebrating Leadership and Vision
Rothman also commended Peter Kang as one of Hollywood’s most skilled production executives, noting his long-standing collaboration with Panitch. He expressed confidence in Kang’s ability to lead Columbia Pictures effectively and in Giannetti’s track record of delivering successful films.
Panitch, who joined Sony in 2016 and became co-president in 2019, has played a pivotal role in overseeing major franchises like "Spider-Man," "Jumanji," and "Venom," as well as navigating some recent challenges with films like "Morbius" and "Kraven the Hunter."
Key Contributors to Sony’s Success
Kang, onboard since 2019, has been instrumental in the development of upcoming films, including “Bad Boys: Ride or Die” and the comedy “No Hard Feelings” starring Jennifer Lawrence. He was also pivotal in the success of Sony’s collaboration with PlayStation Productions, leading to the release of “Uncharted.”
Fruchbom and Weiss, with tenures at Sony since 2015 and 2014 respectively, have crafted memorable marketing campaigns for films such as Quentin Tarantino’s “Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood” and Greta Gerwig’s “Little Women.” Giannetti, a stalwart at the company for 35 years, has overseen significant productions like the latest “Jumanji” films and “The Equalizer 3.”
Looking Ahead: Exciting Times for Sony Pictures
“I’m thrilled to have someone as accomplished and smart as Peter leading Columbia Pictures,” said Panitch. He expressed his excitement for future collaborations and the array of blockbuster films on the horizon. “We have a lot of big event movies moving down our pipeline, so it is a very exciting and promising time at Sony, where we continue to prioritize the theatrical experience.”
Sony’s upcoming slate includes highly anticipated titles such as Darren Aronofsky’s crime thriller “Caught Stealing,” the sequel “28 Years Later: Bone Temple,” Marvel’s “Spider-Man: Brand New Day,” and a new installment of “Jumanji.”
Stay tuned for more updates from Sony Pictures as they continue to shape the future of film in Hollywood!
