Relativity Media president of theatrical marketing and distribution, Peter Adee, is leaving the studio in June after 10 months on the job.
An individual with knowledge of the company's plan said industry veteran Terry Curtin, formerly of Revolution Studios and before that of Disney, was likely to replace him.
Update: Relativity confirmed Adee's departure shortly after this story was posted. The company's news release is below.
Before joining Ryan Kavanaugh's Relativity in August, 2010, Adee was president of worldwide marketing and distribution for Overture Media.
He replaced Geoffrey Ammer, who had the job at Relativity for nine months.
In a written statement, Adee said, “I had agreed to stay with Relativity during the transitional period to ensure a well-managed marketing and distribution operation, but had always planned to depart when the time was right. With the success of Limitless, I think the studio has proven itself as a formidable player in the industry. I wish Ryan and the entire team continued success."
Also read: Ammer steps down as Relativity Marketing Chief
Adee has worked in the entertainment industry for more than 30 years. In addition to Relativity and Overture, he has had executive positions at MGM, where he is a former president of worldwide marketing, Universal Pictures, where he was president of domestic theatrical marketing, New Wave Entertainment, where he was president, DreamWorks and the Walt Disney Co., where he was senior VP, creative services.
Here's the full press release:
Marketing & Distribution Chief Adee to Depart Relativity
Relativity Media CEO Ryan Kavanaugh announced today that the studio’s President of Theatrical Marketing and Distribution, Peter Adee, will be leaving the company on June 1st, 2011.
Adee, a veteran of studios such as Universal and Disney, transitioned to Relativity when the company acquired the marketing and distribution assets of Overture Films from Liberty Media last fall. Adee has no immediate plans for employment.
“I had agreed to stay with Relativity during the transitional period to ensure a well-managed marketing and distribution operation, but had always planned to depart when the time was right. With the success of Limitless, I think the studio has proven itself as a formidable player in the industry. I wish Ryan and the entire team continued success”, said Adee.
Kavanaugh added, “We were so lucky to have Peter to guide us through our initial launch into distribution and preparing us for growth ahead. He is among the best in the business and helped to build an impressive team that rivals any in town. He has been instrumental in finding his replacement which we will announce shortly.”
Relativity currently has box office hit Limitless, starring Bradley Cooper, Abbie Cornish and Oscar®-winner Robert De Niro, in theatres. Looking ahead, the studio has popular book series adaptationJudy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer debuting on June 10th, followed by David R. Ellis’ Shark Night 3-D releasing on September 2nd. The highly-anticipated Immortals will release on November 11th, starring Henry Cavill, Stephen Dorff, Isabel Lucas, Freida Pinto, Luke Evans, Kellan Lutz, with John Hurt and Mickey Rourke. The studio is about to begin production on a yet-to-be titled Snow White film starring Oscar®-winner Julia Roberts as the queen and Armie Hammer as the prince.