ENTERTAINMENT ONE ANNOUNCES EUROPEAN FILM LEADERSHIP
ENTERTAINMENT ONE ANNOUNCES EUROPEAN FILM LEADERSHIP FOLLOWING ALLIANCE FILMS ACQUISITION
Combined European team brings unprecedented film expertise together under eOne
Toronto/London/Madrid – January 15, 2013 – Entertainment One (“eOne” or “the Group”) announces UK and Spain leadership appointments, following its acquisition of Alliance Films announced on January 9, 2013.
Patrice Théroux, who leads eOne’s global Film business, is pleased to announce that effective immediately, Alex Hamilton will oversee the combined UK Film team, including the recently acquired Momentum Pictures business, as Managing Director and Jorge Vazquez will serve as Managing Director for the company in Spain.
Théroux also announces that Adam Hurst will transition from his current role as eOne’s Deputy CFO to take on the role of Finance Director for the combined UK Film business; and Igor Ibeas, will serve as Deputy Managing Director for the company in Spain.
“We’re delighted to present our European leaders. As we move forward, adding Spain to our core film territories, it’s with the confidence that we are being championed by the industry’s finest,” said Théroux. “They all have an incredible knowledge of their markets and the international film business. We are thrilled to harness their leadership to continue to build eOne’s European Film operations for years to come.”
Joining Jan Kouwenhoven (who leads eOne Film Benelux), Hamilton, Vazquez, Hurst and Ibeas will continue to build on the Group's strategic relationships across Europe and around the world. Through new partnerships with the talented European creative community and the combined investment in content across all eOne businesses, eOne’s Film division expects to see continued success through multi-territory acquisitions, multi-platform opportunities and extended international partnerships.
UK
Alex Hamilton, Managing Director, eOne Films UK
Since joining eOne in 2008, Alex Hamilton has spearheaded eOne UK’s thriving film business. From its first theatrical release, Twilight, in December 2008, Hamilton has overseen the growth of the UK group into the country’s leading independent distributor, with the company achieving #1 market share amongst independents in 2010 and 2012, and #2 in 2009 and 2011. Hamilton also brokered eOne’s significant output deal with LoveFilm in 2011.
Prior to joining eOne, Hamilton served as President of Icon Film Distribution UK, where he acquired and/or released such films as Match Point, La Vie En Rose, Bridge to Terabithia and 30 Days of Night. He also held roles at both MGM and Virgin Cinemas before serving as Director of Sales at Momentum Pictures. During his time at Momentum he played a senior management role in the release of such films as Amelie, Lost In Translation and O Brother, Where Art Thou?, whilst also bringing to the company a couple of low budget hits : The Magdalene Sisters and My Little Eye. He began his career in the film industry as a Trainee Programmer for the British Film Institute.
Adam Hurst, Finance Director, eOne Films UK
Since joining eOne in 2008, following the company’s listing on the AIM market, Hurst established and managed eOne’s Group Finance team, which oversees all aspects of the global operation’s reporting, financing and governance framework. In 2010, he led the Group’s step up to the main market of the London Stock Exchange and was appointed Deputy Chief Financial Officer. Most recently he has been responsible for leading the team planning for the integration of Alliance Films. Prior to joining eOne, Hurst held senior corporate finance roles in industry, latterly as Group Financial Controller at FTSE 100 company Tate & Lyle plc. Hurst is a chartered accountant, having qualified with PwC.
Spain
Jorge Vazquez, Managing Director, eOne Films Spain
Jorge Vazquez entered the film business 14 years ago when he joined Aurum Producciones.
Serving in various roles with the company, he was responsible for the successful launch of The Lord of the Rings trilogy, as part of the company’s agreement with New Line Cinema and led the Theatrical division to box-office success with The Passion of the Christ and My Big Fat Greek Wedding, among others. Named Managing Director in 2008, Vazquez has increased the company’s profile in the market not only by reaching studio-level market share but by bringing hits including The Twilight Saga to Spain. He also secured the company a prosperous output deal with Summit/Lionsgate for Spain.
Igor Ibeas, Deputy Managing Director, eOne Films Spain
Ibeas has served as Aurum´s Deputy General Manager since February 2008; overseeing the growth of the company which has successfully become the leading independent distributor in Spain. The group has also doubled theatrical market share with audience-favourites including The Twilight Saga series, Expendables and Insidious. Prior to that, Ibeas served as Head of Home Entertainment and New Media at Aurum. He held various roles at Universal Pictures before joining Aurum.
eOne also announced today that Charles Ogilvie is leaving the Company.
As a founder and director of Contender Entertainment from its inception in 1995, Ogilvie joined eOne in 2007 when Contender was acquired by eOne to establish eOne’s UK business. Since then, he has overseen the finance and operations in the UK through the Company’s rapid growth and development. The Company wishes to thank him for many contributions.
The Group is working quickly to bring the companies together under eOne and expects to make further announcements on leadership, branding and organizational structure in the coming weeks and months.
About Entertainment One
Entertainment One Ltd. (LSE:ETO) is an international entertainment company that specializes in the acquisition, production and distribution of film and television content. The company’s comprehensive network extends around the globe including Canada, the U.S., the UK, Ireland, Spain, Benelux, France, Germany, Scandinavia, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and South Korea. Through established Entertainment and Distribution divisions, the company provides extensive expertise in film distribution, television and music production, family programming and merchandising and licensing. Its current rights library is exploited across all media formats and includes more than 35,000 film and television titles, 2,700 hours of television programming and 45,000 music tracks.