Sandra Stern has been promoted to president of the Lionsgate Television Group.
The 30-year industry veteran spearheads all business, legal, administrative and operational aspects of the division and directs its strategy, transactions and negotiations worldwide. She has worked on production, distribution and digital media strategies to continue a growth trajectory that has taken the Television Group from $8 million in revenue in 2000 to nearly $600 million last year.
Stern, who up to this point was the group’s chief operating officer (COO), is credited with forging new relationships, business models and multiple window financing strategies for Lionsgate hits such as “Orange Is the New Black,” “Mad Men,” “Weeds,” “Nashville” and “Manhattan.”
Lionsgate has built a roster of more than 30 shows on over 20 different networks. Plus, all of the company’s new series from last year have been renewed, including “The Royals,” “Manhattan,” “Deadbeat,” and “Chasing Life.” Additionally, the Lionsgate TV is launching a record 16 original new series this year.
“Sandra and Kevin Beggs have complementary business and creative skills that make them a tremendous team in building our television business into one of the financial and strategic pillars of our company,” said Lionsgate Chief Executive Officer Jon Feltheimer. “Sandra is one of the key executives moving our company forward, and her dealmaking skills, industry acumen and talent relationships are helping to elevate our Television Group to the next level of performance.”
“Sandra is a skilled negotiator with a tremendous grasp of where our industry is headed, and I couldn’t ask for a more talented, dedicated and innovative partner,” said Lionsgate Television Group Chairman Kevin Beggs. “She plays an incredibly valuable role in building our stature as a leading supplier of premium content to broadcast, cable and digital networks as well as exploring new and exciting growth opportunities.”
Stern joined Lionsgate in 2003 as executive vice president, Business and Legal Affairs, and was promoted to COO of the Television Group in 2005. Before joining Lionsgate, she served as chief operating officer of Artists Television Group, where she helped create and structure the company and directed its business affairs, legal, finance, administrative and production operations.
Prior to that, she worked for eight years, first as senior vice president, then executive vice president, of the Columbia TriStar Television Group at Sony Pictures Entertainment.