Lionsgate Co-Chair Rob Friedman to Step Down

Lionsgate Motion Picture Group co-chair Rob Friedman is stepping down, and will instead serve as special advisor to the office of CEO Jon Feltheimer, Lionsgate announced Friday.

Friedman has worked in the entertainment industry for over 40 years. The Motion Picture Group will continue to be run by its current leadership team that includes Co-Chair Patrick Wachsberger, Co-President Erik Feig, Co-COO Steve Beeks, Chief Brand Officer and President of Worldwide Marketing Tim Palen, President of Acquisitions and Co-Productions Jason Constantine and President of Domestic Theatrical Distribution David Spitz.

“Rob has played an integral role in leading the successful growth and diversification of our Motion Picture Group over the past four years, and he has helped assemble one of the strongest and most exciting film slates in our history,” said Feltheimer.  “We look forward to his continued guidance and counsel in navigating a fast-changing industry environment.  In his capacity as my Special Advisor, he will be working closely with me on our OTT platforms, Atom Tickets partnership and other new ventures.”

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“I am excited by the opportunity to work closely with Jon, Michael Burns and the rest of the Lionsgate leadership team in helping to guide the overall strategic direction of the Company,” said Friedman.  “It has been a privilege to serve as Co-Chair of Lionsgate’s Motion Picture Group for the past four years, and I have been fortunate to work with a team of world-class executives in every facet of our film business.”

In January 2015, both Friedman and Wachsberger renewed “long-term” agreements with Lionsgate to remain as co-chairs of the studio’s Motion Picture Group.

The studio did not, however, indicate just how long those agreements would last. Friedman joined the company in 2012 after Lionsgate acquired Summit Entertainment, where he served as the Co-Chairman and CEO since 2007.

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Before then, he held executive positions at both Warner Bros. and Paramount.

Lionsgate’s upcoming slate includes “Deepwater Horizon,” “La La Land” and “American Pastoral,” as well as “Patriots Day,” “John Wick: Chapter 2” and “Granite Mountain.”