Bill Lewis is out as senior vice president of theatrical distribution and marketing at Anchor Bay Films roughly a year after he was tapped for the job, two individuals with knowledge of the situation told TheWrap.
The veteran executive is leaving due to structural changes in the department.
Going forward, Anchor Bay’s marketing and distribution at the company will continue to be handled internally, but the company has formed an alliance with independent film distributor Freestyle Releasing to handle support services on certain films. Those movies will continue to be distributed under the Anchor Bay banner.
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Lewis joined Anchor Bay in November 2012 with more than three decades of experience in the film business, including a stint at Summit Entertainment as its general sales manager and executive vice-president. His position was eliminated when Summit was acquired by Lionsgate in 2012.
During his career, Lewis also oversaw domestic theatrical distribution at MGM, and worked for companies like Hemdale, Lorimar and U.A. Theaters.
Upcoming Anchor Bay releases include Billy Bob Thornton‘s period drama “Jayne Mansfield’s Car” starring Robert Duvall, John Hurt and Kevin Bacon; the relationship drama “At Middleton” with Andy Garcia; and Rob Zombie’s horror film “Lords of Salem.”