First Look Studios has tapped Bill Lee to be acting chief executive officer, the distribution company announced on Monday. He will step in for CEO Trevor Short, who will continue directing the company, while Lee handles day to day operations.
Lee is an industry veteran, who has worked for companies such as Blockbuster and Mosaic Sales Solutions.
“I am excited to get back to the coal face of the entertainment industry with a company like First Look as we navigate the rapidly changing landscape of the distribution business in general,” Lee said in a statement.
At Blockbuster, Lee served as a consultant and chief merchandising officer, where he helped the embattled home entertainment company try to revitalize its brand.
From 1998 through 2008, Lee was president and a board member of Mosaic Sales Solutions, where he oversaw the company’s operations, client relationships and business development. Lee is credited with expanding the marketing company’s client base to include brands such as
Disney, Microsoft, Xbox, Sony, and Wal-Mart.
Prior to Mosaic, Lee was a senior retail officer for several leading retail companies including; Bloomingdales, The Limited and The Children’s Place.
Among First Look’s 1000 titles are films such as “War, Inc.,” “Transsiberian,” “The Proposition and “Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans.” It’s been a time of tremendous change at the top of the small distributor. In July, Chief Operating Officer Dean Wilson died from a heart attack.
