Netflix has named Lionsgate EVP of publicity Julie Fontaine as the new head of its film publicity division.
Fontaine will begin at the streaming entertainment giant at the end of June and will report to chief communications officer Jonathan Friedland.
In her six years at Lionsgate, she worked on such hits as “The Hunger Games” and “Divergent” series, as well as the Oscar-winning “La La Land” and Oscar-nominated “Hacksaw Ridge.”
Prior to working at Lionsgate, Fontaine worked as VP of Domestic Publicity at Walt Disney Pictures.
Fontaine’s hire comes as Netflix has been ramping up its film acquisition and development strategies.
One of the studio’s purchases, “I Don’t Feel At Home in This World Anymore,” won the U.S. Dramatic Grand Jury Prize at Sundance this year, while two Netflix titles, “The Meyerowitz Stories” and “Okja,” premiered in competition at Cannes, prompting a new rule banning any films from competition that do not have theatrical releases in France.
“Okja,” which is directed by Bong Joon-Ho, will be released on Netflix on June 28.