Public relations firm PMK-BNC is launching a new film marketing and distribution department to be headed by Zipline Entertainment’s President, Marian Koltai-Levine, the company announced on Monday.
With the new division, the firm — which has had to deal with the defections of several high-profile publicists and their clients since the January merger between PMK and BNC — plans to shepherd the rollout and marketing of independent films released outside of the studio system.
Koltai-Levine launched Zipline, a marketing firm that also worked on several distribution campaigns, in 2009. Among the firms the company worked on are Focus Features' indie-hit “The Kids Are Alright” and “Bass Ackwards,” which premiered at the Seattle International Film Festival the spring.
“Our clients will now have one-stop expertise to tap into the services they need: marketing, distribution, digital, social media, publicity, promotions and product placement — the full gamut of services," said Koltai-Levine in a statement.
Much of her team from Zipline will be on board at PMK-BNC, including veteran publicity/marketing executive Nina Baron, Nathalie Kohen, Lee Meltzer, George Nicholis, Freida Orange and Morgan Ressa. Former PMK executive Rachel Aberly will spearhead the film operations in Los Angeles and report to Koltai-Levine, who will be based in New York.
Prior to founding Zipline Entertainment, Koltai-Levine headed marketing at both Picturehouse and Fine Line Features. Prior to her studio experience, she was a senior publicist at then-PMK.
