Women in Home Entertainment 2014
24 Nov, 2014
For the seventh consecutive year, Home Media Magazine is honoring the women of the home entertainment industry. We have highlighted the leading executives and some of the rising stars. We open with the top executives, EVPs and up. Then we list SVPs and other executives according to studio, with sections on the top executives from the independent supplier, retail, digital delivery and other sectors of the industry. The result, we hope, illustrates their achievements and the integral role women play in home entertainment.
KELLEY AVERY
Head of Worldwide Franchise Content Strategy and Distribution
DreamWorks Animation
An industry pioneer, Avery applies her experience in brand marketing, home entertainment and retail merchandising to lead DreamWorks Animation through the changing media landscape. She steers the studio in creating cutting-edge strategies for the new digital era.
With a purview that includes oversight of new product initiatives and responsibility for DreamWorks content on physical, digital and TV platforms, Avery has grown some of the studio’s most successful franchises, including “How to Train Your Dragon,” “Shrek” and “Madagascar.” Additionally, Avery was integral in finalizing a groundbreaking deal with Netflix to bring DreamWorks Animation offerings to the streaming service. Avery began her career with Walt Disney Studios where her leadership resulted in record-breaking performances for such releases as Snow White, Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King. She went on to head DreamWorks’ home entertainment division before serving as president of worldwide home entertainment for Paramount Pictures, which became one of the top performing studios worldwide under her watch.
JANICE MARINELLI
President, Disney Studio In-Home and Digital Distribution & Disney-ABC Content Distribution
Marinelli heads the distribution and licensing of Disney’s movie releases and library titles across a variety of windows, including physical and digital. Under her direction, the division distributes film and television properties from Disney, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar Animation Studios, Disneynature, Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm, DreamWorks Studios, ABC Studios, ABC Entertainment, ABC Family, Disney Channel, Disney XD and Disney Junior. She spearheads the studio’s rapidly expanding digital businesses, negotiating key movie output deals with a range of distributors and platforms. Under her leadership, Disney this year successfully launched its exclusive cloud-based movie service, Disney Movies Anywhere, with iTunes, Google Play and Vudu. Also under Marinelli’s watch, the studio saw the release of the hugely successful Frozen, which is on track to be the top title (physical and digital) of 2014 in the United States. The Oscar-winning animated film is already the best-selling Blu-ray of all time and is the top-selling digital title of all time.
MARY DAILY
President and Chief Marketing Officer, Worldwide Marketing
20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
With an out-of-the box approach, Daily continues to be the driving force behind the studio’s most innovative marketing partnerships. She leads creative development, promotions, digital consumer marketing, brand marketing, public relations and media for the studio’s products. An advocate for crafting new home entertainment experiences, she seeks to bridge the gap between digital and physical media and complement the digital lifestyle of today’s connected consumer. Daily has steered the marketing initiatives behind Fox’s biggest digital marketing initiative, Digital HD, and has played a key role in the digital campaigns for top Digital HD releases. In a successful, first-of-its-kind campaign for the Digital HD launch of The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, Fox and Google Glass teamed with YouTube personality iJustine, who traveled though Iceland in a crowd-sourced adventure through Google Glass. Also this past year Daily managed a promotion with Lego to create a Lego replica of the hotel in The Grand Budapest Hotel, sparking a global conversation around the film, which became the best-selling Fox Searchlight comedy in 2014.
LEXINE WONG
Senior EVP, Worldwide Marketing
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Wong oversees all the worldwide marketing for SPHE’s digital and physical distribution strategies, new technologies, and acquisition of titles. With an emphasis on maximizing the digital entertainment experience, the industry veteran plays a critical role in formulating marketing strategies for SPHE’s digital products, including digital ownership, early electronic sellthrough, video-on-demand, and in-home and in-store disc-to-digital to deliver new and enhanced ways to experience watching films and television in the home. Most recently, Wong was a member of the team that launched SPHE’s and Walmart’s Vudu Extras+ for UltraViolet titles — an industry first. In addition, she’s responsible for global programming, media, creative service, consumer insights and the production of added-value content for DVD, Blu-ray and various online and digital offerings.
Wong oversees marketing teams in 17 international territories and licensing territories representing 159 countries.
SUZANNE COLE
EVP, media, Universal Pictures
Cole oversees all strategic activities in print, broadcast, online and outdoor media for more than 20 theatrical features and 30 home entertainment releases each year. During her 15-year tenure at Universal, Cole has managed media campaigns for numerous films, including Neighbors, Lone Survivor, Ride Along, Les Misérables, Oblivion, Bridesmaids, American Gangster, The 40-Year-Old Virgin and United 93, as well as for the company’s blockbuster franchises, including the “Despicable Me,” “Fast and Furious,” “Bourne” and “American Pie” movies.
VICTORIA COLF
EVP, worldwide content servicing and digital solutions, Warner Bros. Technical Operations
Colf oversees the studio’s content servicing and digital solutions group, which supports all of Warner’s businesses worldwide, including TV and home entertainment clients. Colf is also responsible for creating and supporting solutions that enable Warner’s rapidly growing digital businesses. In addition, she helps oversee DETE (digital end-to-end), the first studio digital supply chain, which cleared the way for sales and distribution to rapidly expand digital distribution partnerships and revenue in film and television. Prior to taking her current role, Colf was SVP of digital solutions and services, overseeing day-to-day operations of Warner Bros. Digital Solutions and Services, supporting the studio’s expanding efforts in distributing content through new media outlets, including Web-based and wireless offerings.
DEBORAH FEINERMAN
EVP, business affairs and legal, Paramount Home Media Distribution
Feinerman is responsible for licensing, sales, distribution, operations, acquisitions and marketing of Paramount product across home entertainment, television and digital media. Previously, she was SVP and deputy general counsel. She joined the general counsel’s office in 2000 after a 20-year stint in the Los Angeles offices of the law firm Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher. Feinerman earned a J.D. from Loyola Law School and a B.A. in economics from UCLA. She serves on the Corporate Law Department Section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association executive committee.
HILARY HOFFMAN
EVP, global marketing, Universal Pictures Home Entertainment
Hoffman oversees worldwide strategic direction for both physical and digital platforms, ensuring that plans, tactics and collateral materials align to maximize revenue. During her tenure at Universal, Hoffman has overseen the campaigns of some of the studio’s biggest releases and has been a driving force behind Blu-ray Disc and digital, including the development of next-generation EST.
MELANIE LAITHWAITE
EVP, business affairs & business operations, Universal Pictures Home Entertainment
Laithwaite oversees all legal matters related to sales, distribution, productions and acquisitions, operations, licensing, and marketing across the studio’s groups and territories worldwide, as well as having responsibility for international licensees, strategic projects and HR functions.
MARY McLAREN
EVP and COO, 20th Century Fox International Theatrical and Home Entertainment
A 30-year Fox veteran, McLaren provides strategic leadership to both studio divisions. She also oversees Fox’s international post-production team and the administration of Fox’s 36 distribution offices around the world. Additionally, McLaren plays a leading role in driving Fox’s strategic agenda on key international growth initiatives that include expansion into local film production and establishing and building the studio’s presence in emerging markets. McLaren is the senior executive liaison with all of the studio’s long-term and new third-party acquisition relationships, including Lucasfilm, MGM and more recently Relativity Media and DreamWorks Animation.
MARGIE PACACHA
EVP, Business affairs and legal, Paramount Home Media Distribution
Pacacha oversees sales, distribution, operations, acquisitions, marketing and promotions, litigation, licensing, antitrust, and administration across physical and digital platforms. Among the deals she has negotiated are a revenue-sharing deal with Redbox, a catalog licensing deal with Warner Home Video and many supply-chain agreements. She also has played a part in the launch of new business models and technologies, including Blu-ray Disc and the cloud-based service UltraViolet. Prior to joining Paramount in 2000, Pacacha held posts at Republic Entertainment Inc., Spelling Entertainment and Best Film & Video Corp.
ANNE PARDUCCI
EVP, marketing, and GM, family entertainment, Lionsgate
Parducci oversees strategic marketing, brand management, social media and creative direction for packaged media and digital. She plotted marketing campaigns for “The Twilight Saga,” “The Hunger Games” and “Divergent” franchises. She also oversees marketing direction for brand partners, including A&E, Miramax, Roadside Attractions, Tyler Perry Studios and StudioCanal. Parducci was instrumental in the development of Lionsgate’s BeFit channel on YouTube. She is also responsible for the family entertainment division and implementing digital initiatives across multiple social platforms, including more than 200 Facebook movie property pages.
HELEN PARKER
EVP and managing director, A&R, Universal Pictures Home Entertainment
Parker is responsible for spearheading the home entertainment division’s artist and repertoire business around the world. Based in London, she oversees content acquisitions and productions for all media and manages a roster of international talent and content distributed by NBC Universal, spanning documentaries, direct-to-video films, live-comedy shows, anime and live-event productions, among others.
JESSICA SCHELL
EVP and GM, film, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment
Schell has global responsibility for all operations related to the sales, marketing, distribution, finance and administrative functions of the studio’s film-based home entertainment releases, including both new theatrical titles and catalog films. Prior to joining Warner Bros., Schell spent nine years at NBC Universal, most recently serving as EVP of worldwide new media and digital entertainment for Universal Pictures since late 2011. Before that she was EVP of business development and strategic planning. She also served as SVP of digital media strategy and business development at NBC.
KELLY SOOTER
Head of Home Entertainment, DreamWorks Animation
Sooter brings her marketing and retail experience to DreamWorks Animation’s physical and digital content on a global basis. She helps lead the charge in exploring new and innovative ways of delivering the studio’s stable of franchise brands and characters to consumers through evolving distribution platforms. Sooter’s leadership, retail knowledge, marketing expertise and creativity are instrumental in her ability to deliver consumer value and build dynamic business models for the home entertainment industry. Previously, Sooter was domestic head of DreamWorks Home Entertainment, where she was instrumental in launching the domestic video division. Under her leadership, DreamWorks achieved groundbreaking successes with titles including Shrek, and Academy Award winners Gladiator and Saving Private Ryan. Prior to joining DreamWorks, Sooter also worked at Paramount Home Entertainment and The Walt Disney Company.
JOANIE WALLACE
EVP, HE, Worldwide Operations, 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
Wallace is charged with managing a cross-functional team responsible for contract management, manufacturing, distribution and customer service for physical and digital products released worldwide. Before joining Fox, Wallace worked for the accounting team at Orion Entertainment.
CLARISSA WEIRICK
EVP and general counsel, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment
Weirick oversees licensing, sales, production, acquisitions and daily operational legal matters, including marketing and distribution of the studio’s movies, television shows and interactive video games in physical and digital formats on a worldwide basis. She also oversees all legal matters for WBHE’s direct-to-consumer platforms, including Flixster, RottenTomatoes.com, Turbine and mobile games.
Paramount Home Media Distribution
MICHELE BELL
SVP, worldwide creative services
Bell has more than 15 years of marketing experience and is responsible for the division’s advertising creative services. That includes disc packaging; menu design; and print, broadcast, VOD and Web advertising. Bell previously held positions at Universal Studios and New Line Cinema.
BRENDA CICCONE
SVP, worldwide publicity and communications
Ciccone manages global publicity and corporate communications for Paramount Home Media Distribution. Leveraging more than 20 years in entertainment public relations, she helms PR campaigns for the studio’s home entertainment labels and distribution partners.
MELINDA FROELICH
SVP, marketing
Froelich is responsible for overseeing the marketing, advertising, public relations, promotions and release strategy for all transactional windows after theatrical release. Prior to joining Paramount in 2005, she worked at The Walt Disney Co.
DINA MAROVICH
SVP, media and interactive marketing
With nearly 20 years of experience in the industry, Marovich oversees media planning and buying. She joined Paramount in 2006 after managing media planning for Buena Vista Home Entertainment releases at Starcom Worldwide.
SYRINTHIA STUDER
SVP, marketing and acquisitions
Studer leads the division’s content acquisitions, procuring film projects and licensed properties for worldwide distribution across many platforms. She also leads home entertainment marketing for Paramount’s network and cable brand partners.
AUBREY THOMASON
SVP, business affairs and legal
Thomason oversees the business and legal aspects of domestic sublicensing. She also oversees legal affairs for acquisitions, marketing, promotion and publicity, and handles select digital
sublicensing matters.
■ Inge Mueller, VP, worldwide market intelligence and POS tracking
■ Jyoti Sarda, VP, marketing, Paramount Home Media Distribution International
■ Rozita Tolouey, VP, brand marketing
■ Michelle VenDange, VP, digital retail marketing, Paramount Home Media Distribution International
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
JENNIFER ANDERSON
SVP, Marketing
Anderson joined SPHE in 1999, and her responsibilities span both physical and transactional digital releases. She oversees the marketing strategies, national promotions and publicity for new-release films from Columbia Pictures, Screen Gems, Sony Pictures Classics, TriStar and Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions, as well as made-for-television movies and catalog titles. Anderson began her career with Warner Home Video.
ALISON BIGGERS
SVP, Strategic Marketing
Biggers is responsible for SPHE’s strategic marketing programs. She joined the studio in 1999 when it was Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment and was promoted to VP of worldwide DVD marketing in 2002. A graduate of UCLA, Biggers began her career with MGM Home Entertainment.
GERI BLUEROCK
SVP, Sales Development
Bluerock leads the division’s North American sales development group, which is responsible for developing commercial strategy and standardizing business tools to deliver account-level sales plans. With more than 20 years of home entertainment and retail experience, Bluerock has held leadership positions in sales, sales research and analysis, retail operations, category management, vendor managed inventory, demand planning and retail buying. She joined SPHE in 2005 after serving at MGM Home Entertainment.
NATASHA CURRIE
SVP, EMEA Support and Commercial Partnerships
Currie is responsible for commercial strategy and performance across physical and digital platforms for licensee and partnership territories in the EMEA region. She also manages a centralized team that delivers marketing and insights support, supply chain and digital client services. Prior to her current role, Currie was SVP of international operations for Sony. She also held a number of positions with Walt Disney Television International and CIC Video International. She graduated with a B.A. with Honors from London University.
LISSA FREED
SVP, Business Partner Manager
Freed oversees human resources management for Sony Pictures Home Entertainment and Motion Picture Group globally with additional oversight for Sony Pictures operations in Europe. She partners closely with the executive leadership to support and guide SPE’s talent agenda and organization development. Freed holds a B.S. degree in business management and a certificate in human capital and effective organizations from the USC Marshall School of Business.
TRACEY GARVIN
SVP, Worldwide Marketing
SPHE looks to Garvin to oversee, develop and produce special features, interactive content and menus for all worldwide disc and digital releases from the studio. Before her promotion in 2006, she was VP of marketing for the studio. Prior to joining the company in 1990, Garvin held several positions in the entertainment industry at New World Entertainment and MCA Records.
COOPER JACKSON
SVP, Business Affairs
Jackson is responsible for evaluating, structuring and negotiating home entertainment agreements worldwide, including digital licenses, distribution partnerships, content acquisitions, and other initiatives across digital and physical media. She plays a key role in shaping complex deals for SPHE’s digital products, including EST, VOD and pay-per-view, and digital and physical media distribution strategies across SPHE groups and territories. Jackson held positions at Genius Products and Warner Home Video prior to joining Sony in 2008.
AUDREY LEE
SVP, Legal Affairs
Lee oversees legal matters related to licensing, sales, acquisitions, distribution and marketing of SPHE’s film and television product in the digital and physical home entertainment markets across the United States, Canada, Latin America and Japan. Prior to joining Sony, she handled mergers and acquisitions and securities matters at the Los Angeles offices of Latham & Watkins and venture capital investments at Idealab. Lee earned an M.B.A. from the UCLA Anderson School of Management and a J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School.
JACQUI MARSHALL
SVP, Legal Affairs, EMEA
Marshall leads the corporate legal team for Sony in the EMEA region. She oversees legal matters for SPHE, including physical and digital licensing, joint ventures, operational and retailer agreements, and all other corporate and commercial initiatives. Prior to joining Sony, Marshall was VP of legal and business affairs at Universal Pictures.
JANE MOHON
SVP, Marketing Services
For consumer media campaigns, SPHE turns to Mohon. Her responsibilities include setting strategies and budgets, and managing overall media operations across traditional and digital media channels. By guiding global and shopper insights and strategies, she also helps inform commercial decisions and influence key customer relationships. Mohon also leads the division’s digital marketing team, helping to establish digital marketing strategies across various platforms worldwide.
KELLY NIELSEN
SVP, Worldwide Creative Advertising
Nielsen heads the division’s worldwide creative advertising group, covering design and production of DVD and Blu-ray Disc packaging, as well as in-store displays. She also shepherds SPHE’s trade and consumer advertising campaigns, covering print, broadcast, digital, outdoor and trailers. Before joining Sony in 1997, she held positions at J. Walter Thompson and Prism Pictures.
KIM OVERALL
SVP, Northern Europe and EMEA Partnerships
Overall leads the business in the United Kingdom, Northern Europe and with the studio’s partners across EMEA. She is responsible for defining the commercial strategies for the region and supporting the EMEA territories. She joined SPHE in 2008 as the managing director for Australia and New Zealand. Previously, she was European VP of international sales and marketing at Paramount Home Entertainment and VP of international marketing for DreamWorks Home Entertainment.
■ Jill Allen, VP, digital accounts
■ Caroline Dean, VP, European marketing
■ Ellen Goodridge, VP, global digital operations and product development
■ Staci Griesbach, VP, worldwide publicity
■ Sheela Jairaj, VP, sales
■ Susan Johnston, VP, business development, Canada
■ Helena Ku, VP, business affairs
■ Dina Wiggins, VP, legal
20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
CINDY BALLARD
SVP, Worldwide Human Resources
Ballard oversees human resources for Fox’s worldwide distribution groups, including home entertainment and enterprise operations covering strategic organizational initiatives, talent management, employee relations, recruitment, HR development and more.
JENNIFER CHAI
SVP, Worldwide Brand Marketing, Fox Family and Animation
Chai oversees worldwide brand marketing and strategy for the Fox Family and Animation team for the physical and digital business. She also takes point on the studio’s new DreamWorks Animation business. Additionally, Chai had a hand in shaping Fox’s digital initiatives, including Digital HD.
RIO CYRUS
SVP, Worldwide Brand Marketing, Acquisitions and TV
Cyrus oversees global brand marketing and strategy for Fox TV, theatrical home entertainment for MGM, Relativity and other third-party film acquisitions. She has contributed to the success of every title from The Bible, Skyfall and “Sons of Anarchy” to “The Simpsons” and “Modern Family.”
AUBREY FREEBORN
SVP, Worldwide Consumer Marketing
Freeborn leads the global marketing strategy for Fox’s film and TV content on Digital HD and VOD. She spearheaded the digital launch of Avatar with first-of-its-kind interactive features and the industry-first Digital HD launch of Prometheus. She also helps grow the digital ownership business with various clients.
JULIA HOWE
SVP, Worldwide Brand Marketing, Live-Action
For worldwide brand marketing on live-action and franchise releases, the studio counts on Howe. Before joining Fox, she served as marketing director of Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa for the Associated Press. Prior to that, she provided strategic marketing consultancy to clients of Branded, a London-based brand and communications firm.
CHRISTINE LAWTON
SVP, Legal Affairs
Lawton is responsible for legal affairs across all of Fox’s global physical and digital home entertainment business. Prior to joining Fox in 2012, Lawton held similar positions at Universal Studios Home Entertainment, DreamWorks SKG and The Walt Disney Company’s Buena Vista Home Video.
JULIE MARKELL
SVP, Worldwide Creative Development
Markell oversees global creative development for all releases with the goal of developing innovative, successful creative campaigns that connect with and engage the consumer. Prior to joining Fox, Markell served as a creative director and group lead at Los Angeles advertising agencies BBDO and J. Walter Thompson.
KATHRYN TRALLI
SVP, Retail Planning and Analysis
Tralli leads Fox’s retail and planning analysis for physical and digital content. During her 17-year tenure, she has built her group from two people to 26, with the group supporting sales, marketing and senior management teams.
■ Tyla Bucher, VP, brand marketing
■ Cameron Dillavou, VP, international marketing
■ Marlene Duran, VP, worldwide physical and digital account services
■ Jacqueline Gustafson, VP, worldwide content development
■ Debbie Haag, VP, brand marketing
■ Hilarie Hildebrandt, VP, retail marketing
■ Molly Madden, VP, sales
Universal Pictures Home Entertainment
PAM BLUM
SVP, Global Marketing Services
Blum oversees creative marketing services and the development of value-added content for the studio’s Blu-ray Disc, DVD and digital releases on a worldwide basis, in addition to all home entertainment promotions across North America.
ELLEN COCKRILL
SVP, Animation, Universal 1440 Entertainment
Cockrill oversees development and production of animated non-theatrical movie and TV content for the home entertainment market under the studio’s Universal 1440 Entertainment banner. The 18-year veteran currently produces the PBS series “Curious George” and has won two Daytime Emmys.
NANCY EAGLE
SVP, Business and Legal Affairs, Universal 1440 Entertainment
Eagle oversees business and legal affairs for Universal’s home entertainment production arm, Universal 1440 Entertainment, in addition to rights and talent acquisition, negative pick-up distribution agreements, foreign co-productions, product integration, intellectual property matters and litigation management.
PATTI JACKSON
SVP, Live-Action Production, Universal 1440 Entertainment
Jackson oversees the development and production of live-action films for non-theatrical productions under the Universal 1440 Entertainment banner. She has overseen nearly 80 productions, including films in the “Death Race” and “Bring It On” franchises.
LINDA LEIGHTON
SVP, Customer Service, Retail Inventory Team and Systems Administration
Leighton oversees the division’s North American customer service, retail inventory team and merchandising in addition to planning and aligning Universal’s IT systems development activity. She also helps manage the relationships with Universal’s distribution partners, including Mattel and Paramount Home Media Distribution.
LEA PORTENEUVE
SVP, Communications and Publicity
Porteneuve oversees business, technology and executive communications for Universal’s home entertainment division. She also spearheads all strategic publicity initiatives in support of the studio’s physical and digital home entertainment offerings.
HEIDI TURK
SVP, Supply Chain
Turk manages master data, procurement, physical production, distribution and logistics for Universal’s packaged media in North America. She also serves as a primary liaison to Universal’s distribution partners.
■ Stacy Barger, VP, creative services
■ Elizabeth Bishop, VP, creative services
■ Jennifer Black, VP, publicity
■ Candice Chen, VP, media
■ Sandy Choi, VP, marketing
■ Aurelie De Troyer, VP, acquisitions
■ Kathleen Gallagher, VP, customer marketing
■ Lisa Gooding, VP, live-action production
■ Denise Haro, VP, strategic planning
■ Mariann Harris, VP, human resources
■ Jenny Hollowood, VP, commercial, local acquisitions and productions
■ Jerrlyn Iwata, VP, digital distribution
■ Kristin Johnson, VP, media
■ Tracy Kim, VP, digital distribution and digital platforms
■ Aghi Koh, VP, animation production
■ Paige Lewis, VP, marketing
■ Brigitte Lifson, VP, business and legal affairs
■ Linda Martinez, VP, business and legal affairs
■ Stacy Melle, VP, digital distribution, film marketing
■ Vicky Preminger, VP, business and legal affairs
■ Stephanie Sigel, VP, creative services
The Walt Disney Company
SUSAN McLAIN
SVP, Product Marketing And Distribution
McLain manages the in-home release plans and the product lifecycle for Disney’s theatrical releases and television content across all windows, formats and outlets. She steers the marketing strategies for physical and digital distribution, windowing of releases, as well as cross-brand strategies and physical to digital initiatives. Most recently, McLain spearheaded the marketing and creative for the launch of the Disney Movies Anywhere app and website. She is responsible for the service’s ongoing consumer marketing efforts.
■ Lisa Ayala-Williams, VP, worldwide creative services
■ Sandra Brewer, VP, marketing
■ Cherylyn Carr, assistant general counsel
■ Lori Cohen-Elias, VP, product marketing and distribution
■ Cynthia Cruz, VP, contract administration
■ Michelle Davis, VP, product marketing and distribution
■ Elizabeth Duke, assistant chief counsel
■ Anna Frost, VP, digital marketing
■ Lindsey Green, VP, pay television and digital sales
■ Kim Harbin, VP, communications
■ Jennifer Lourie, VP, product marketing and distribution
■ Yulia Poltorak, VP, international in-home sales
■ Shayna Smith, VP, EHV/VOD customer marketing and international product marketing and distribution
■ Liz West, VP, publicity
Warner Bros. Home Entertainment
RUSSELL ARONS
SVP, Worldwide Marketing, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
Arons leads global marketing for packaged and digital video game franchises such as “Batman,” “Lego,” “The Lord of the Rings” and “Mortal Kombat.” Her responsibilities includes marketing game content released on Sony, Microsoft, Nintendo, PC and mobile platforms. She leads a team of more than 40 people across brand and digital marketing, public relations, consumer research and customer relationship management.
WENDY L. AYLSWORTH
SVP, Technology, Warner Bros. Technical Operations
Aylsworth is charged with overseeing the establishment of new technologies for Warner’s production divisions and assessing the impact of emerging technologies on content creation and distribution. Her department participates in national and international technical standards and trade organizations to promote commonality for the benefit of the entertainment sector. Aylsworth is president of the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers.
DEBRA BAKER
SVP, Global Business Development
Baker focuses on driving new business partnerships, models, channels and products across the video, digital distribution, games and direct-to-consumer businesses at Warner. She seeks out opportunities for those business units and recommends new businesses, products and revenue streams to support and drive company priorities. Baker also oversees Warner’s media and entertainment focused accelerator, Media Camp LA.
NICOLE COLEMAN
SVP, Sales Integration
Coleman directs all internal functions related to sustaining and facilitating North American physical and digital commercial activity. She is responsible for all elements and personnel related to customer business planning, trade funds management, sales reporting and systems, retail trade policy and terms, and sales goals and incentives.
KRISTINA FUGATE
SVP, Marketing New-Release
Fugate spearheads all theatrical new-release U.S. marketing efforts for Warner titles across disc and digital platforms. She’s responsible for developing strategies resulting in strong performance for franchises, including “The Dark Knight Trilogy,” “Harry Potter,” “The Hangover,” “The Hobbit,” and recent 2014 titles, including The Lego Movie, Edge of Tomorrow and Godzilla. She joined Warner in 2004 as director of domestic marketing.
JACQUELINE HAYES
SVP, Business and Legal Affairs, and Deputy General Counsel
Hayes provides legal counsel on matters concerning the acquisition, distribution and copy protection of film and TV content for both packaged and digital media. She has been instrumental in the development of the studio’s new business models and licenses for the digital distribution of content across new-media platforms. She has become increasingly involved in new technology and copy protection issues associated with such distribution.
ROSEMARY MARKSON
SVP, TV Marketing
Markson oversees the management of all Warner TV properties for home entertainment, including business strategy, product development, consumer marketing and retail marketing. She is also responsible for managing talent and studio relationships and ensuring that key content partners are properly serviced. Markson’s responsibilities include both packaged content and Digital HD.
DORINDA MARTICORENA
SVP, Worldwide Marketing and New Technology
Marticorena is responsible for all global product development and marketing strategies and campaigns for more than 300 title releases per year, in as many as 80 languages, including “The Hobbit,” Man of Steel, “Harry Potter,” “The Hangover,” The Dark Knight, The Wizard of Oz, “The Matrix Trilogy,” “Friends,” “The Big Bang Theory” and “Looney Tunes." She oversees global product marketing and market research, online marketing, and product planning and mastering for Blu-ray, 3D, UltraViolet and other digital products.
ARDIS H. RUBENSTEIN
SVP, Worldwide Creative Advertising
Rubenstein helps the studio navigate the world of home entertainment as audiences continue to find new ways to experience media and movies. Her keen eye and management skills guide her creative team through the amazing new ways the industry has adapted to technological changes year by year.
SAMANTHA RYAN
SVP, Development and Production, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
Ryan oversees the development and production teams responsible for all of the company’s video games, including those based on original properties, studio franchises and outside licenses, from inception through release. Previously, Ryan was CEO of Warner’s game developer, Monolith.
LINDA WANG
SVP, Human Resources
Wang directs worldwide recruitment, benefits, compensation, employee relations, performance management and organizational development for Warner Bros. Home Entertainment and Warner Bros. Television Distribution. Wang’s team has adeptly managed the growth of the studio’s physical and digital businesses by ensuring the company is well positioned to attract and retain the best talent.
Lionsgate Home Entertainment
JILL ANDERSON
SVP, sellthrough sales
Anderson oversees management of the studio’s home entertainment business at Walmart, Sam’s Club and Best Buy — the latter where she started her entertainment retail career. Anderson’s success in managing some of retail’s biggest accounts directly contributes to Lionsgate’s strong box office-to-DVD conversion rates and collaborative digital offers.
ANGELA HENRY
SVP, home entertainment sales
Henry helps manage daily sales with a particular focus on the Walmart account. She helped launch the Summit Home Entertainment division in 2007. Prior to joining Summit, Henry started her career at Warner Bros. Home Entertainment in 2001 as a sales manager, covering a wide variety of retailers. Lionsgate acquired Summit in 2012.
AGAPY KAPOURANIS
SVP, Television & Digital Media Distribution
Kapouranis specializes in new strategies for content placement with major digital players, as well as leveraging media opportunities worldwide. She also manages the North American subscription streaming market, where she has been instrumental in identifying windowing opportunities and creating new business models.
SANJANA NAIKSATAM
SVP, retail and digital operations
Naiksatam oversees customer service and retail operations including merchandising activities. Her role includes managing and developing systems to support the back-end operations for the domestic digital group.
KAJSA VIKMAN
SVP, marketing, and GM, fitness
Vikman oversees the studio’s fitness initiatives, including acquisitions, production, marketing, branding and creative on DVD and digital platforms. She played an integral role in the development of the Lionsgate/YouTube partnership for the BeFit channel — now slated to become a standalone OTT video service.
■ Tracy Ames, VP, marketing
■ Dawn Arnone, VP, operations
■ Mariko Gueringer, VP, creative services
■ Chela Johnson, VP, marketing
■ Amanda Kozlowski, VP, digital and on-demand
■ Kate Nayberg, VP, DVD production
■ Helen Reich, VP, sales administration
■ Jennifer Sandler, VP, publicity
■ Jenna Sonenshein, VP, marketing
■ Wendy Wong, VP, marketing
Anchor Bay Entertainment
JULIE CARTWRIGHT
EVP, Worldwide Marketing
Cartwright manages global marketing for Anchor Bay releases as well as key talent, filmmaker and partnership relationships. She joined Anchor Bay in 1999 and helped grow the “Thomas & Friends” DVD brand by double digits over three years by expanding retail, creatively marketing and developing unique product offerings. Cartwright went on to launch the company’s TV DVD business. She has overseen Anchor Bay’s fitness titles for the past decade, driving huge growth over that time.
ERIN McGREGOR
SVP, Operations
With responsibility for all North American operations, McGregor oversees the replication and shipment of more than 25 million disc units annually for the various labels, including The Weinstein Company, RADiUS, AMC and Anchor Bay. She negotiates major contracts with the company’s outsourcing partners and works with various divisions to help drive efficiency and cost savings.
SALLY SERAPHIM
SVP, Sales
With 25 years of experience, Seraphim oversees sales and manages the company’s Walmart and Best Buy business. Her innovative retail ideas include placing fitness lines in sporting goods sections and children’s properties in toy departments. She helmed the release of Django Unchained and the sales aspects with key accounts on “The Walking Dead.” Previously, Seraphim worked at Turner Home Entertainment.
■ Edie Bartlett, VP, sales
■ Erin Carter, VP, brand marketing
■ Cindy Chen, VP, business affairs/legal
■ Patsy Fox, executive director, sales
■ Roxanne Giordano, executive director, worldwide business support, sales
■ Julianne Gorman, director, brand marketing
■ Jennifer Johnson, executive director, retail marketing
■ Jane McCowan, VP, retail marketing
Cinedigm
SUSAN MARGOLIN
President, Docurama and Special Acquisitions
Margolin has established a reputation as a sales and marketing powerhouse during her more than 25 years in the distribution business. She co-founded New Video Group with Steve Savage in 1991, building it into a successful home entertainment distributor. After Cinedigm acquired the company, she became co-president of Cinedigm Entertainment Group, where she led the content and marketing groups. Under Margolin, the company acquired Oscar-nominated films including The Invisible War, Hell and Back Again, GasLand and Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory.
YOLANDA MACÍAS
EVP, Acquisitions, Forecast, Planning and Digital Sales
With more than 20 years of experience, Macías is responsible for sourcing, evaluating, negotiating and acquiring content for all distribution platforms. She also oversees the strategy, growth and relationships with the distributed content providers. During her previous tenure at Gaiam Vivendi Entertainment, Macías oversaw content acquisitions and led the digital and television distribution teams.
JILL NEWHOUSE CALCATERRA
EVP, Corporate Communications
Calcaterra is a tireless evangelist for Cinedigm and has worked alongside CEO and chairman Chris McGurk since he joined the rapidly expanding company in early 2011. She spearheads many of the company’s business development initiatives, including partnerships with Bit-Torrent, Vuze, Spondo and others, and is steadfast in her pursuit of all things “new, different and cutting edge.”
SUSANNE LEAHY
SVP, Finance
Leahy has been with Cinedigm (formerly New Video) since 2000. As SVP of finance and operations, content and entertainment division, she is responsible for the daily activities of the finance and operations department. Leahy also oversees the division’s budgeting and internal financial reporting and analysis.
BOBBI LEVINE
SVP, Production
A 20-year-plus veteran of the industry, Levine oversees worldwide production and delivery for every division of the company, including theatrical, digital, TV, OTT and physical. She implemented and manages the in-house studio, which prepares and delivers content to such digital platforms as iTunes, Netflix, Amazon and Hulu. Levine has also supervised DVD and Blu-ray authoring.
■ April Benavides, VP, brand marketing
■ Gem Benedict, VP, digital sales
■ Suzanna Lee, VP, business development and strategy
■ Michelle Nunes, VP, operations
■ Angela Palmieri, VP, marketing and brand management
HBO Home Entertainment
SOFIA CHANG
EVP and GM
Chang oversees the disc and digital distribution division of HBO. After joining the company in 2000, she spearheaded marketing of HBO discs, ascending to VP of marketing, and then SVP of marketing and creative services. She oversaw award-winning campaigns for Oz: Season One and for “The Sopranos” final-season campaigns. In 2008, Chang became SVP of consumer marketing for retail products, also assuming responsibility for HBO’s licensing business, leading the development of merchandise such as the successful beverage and comic book series for “True Blood,” as well as fragrances, cosmetics and digital games for multiple franchises.
ANH-VAN NGUYEN
VP, Worldwide Production and Operations
Nguyen oversees the production and asset delivery of the division’s electronic-sellthrough and physical products worldwide. She also manages the manufacturing and distribution of DVD and Blu-ray titles. She joined HBO in 2002, moving to the home entertainment group in 2005.
KAMINI (CONNIE) SARVANANDAN
VP, International
Sarvanandan is responsible for overseeing the physical businesses outside the United States, including Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Australia. She joined HBO in 2011. Sarvanandan previously worked at Warner Home Video Canada.
PBS Distribution
ANDREA DOWNING
Co-President
Downing has spearheaded numerous program launches while creating innovative strategies. She has also been instrumental in the formation of PBS America and in expanding the organization’s focus to become a multichannel, multiformat distribution unit, all while creating key growth in the wholesale and digital distribution divisions. Downing has led her team to maximize the value of Masterpiece’s hit “Downton Abbey.”
DEBBIE RIES
Managing Director, Children’s Distribution
Ries, who has spent 25 years in the children’s media business, is responsible for maximizing home entertainment revenue for PBS’s children’s programming, including marketing, developing new products, expanding sales opportunities and acquiring new properties. She joined PBS from nCircle Entertainment, which she founded in 2006. Before nCircle, Ries was part of the team that launched Barney the Dinosaur, and she was the global SVP of HIT Entertainment.
GILLIAN ROSE
Managing Director, Drama
Rose joined PBS Distribution in 2013 after eight years with New York’s PBS station, WNET. Her focus is primarily on dramas, with an emphasis on making strategic investments in home entertainment rights for dramas that broadcast on Masterpiece and PBS, as well as acquiring distribution rights to dramatic series that air on other U.S. networks, including Showtime, Starz, Syfy and Pivot TV.
AMY LETOURNEAU
VP, Strategy And Acquisitions
Letourneau oversees corporate strategy and marketing, as well as global acquisitions efforts across factual, drama and children’s programing. With more than 15 years of experience in commercial and public media, Letourneau’s portfolio includes numerous award-winning films including Steve James’ The Interrupters and Ken Burns’ The Central Park Five, which earned the Entertainment Merchants Association’s Top Documentary Title from an independent studio.
Grindstone Home Entertainment
CHRISTY CANNON
VP, Marketing
Cannon supervises marketing campaigns for all Grindstone titles. She plays a leading role in coordinating marketing, creative, promotions, publicity and distribution. Cannon previously held positions with Sterling Home Entertainment, Hallmark Entertainment and Imperial Entertainment.
■ Whitney Dickinson, marketing manager
Starz
MARA WINOKUR
SVP, Digital
Winokur oversees strategy, operation and execution of the digital businesses and initiatives supporting Starz’s various film, television and digital-only content properties. Winokur and her team manage digital distribution, licensing, syndication, content and vendor relationships across a wide array of partners and distributors.
Shout! Factory
MELISSA BOAG
VP of Kids & Family Entertainment
Boag oversees all the kids and family entertainment releases. She spearheads the marketing, advertising and branding, and participates in acquisitions, digital channel management and worldwide retail and distribution strategies. Serving at Shout! Factory for more than 11 years, Boag also initiated website development and e-commerce.
KATHY CALLAHAN
Associate VP of Sales and E-Commerce
Callahan manages consumer catalogs and non-traditional accounts, and artist sales, among other accounts. She is critical to Shout’s success in e-commerce and handles revenue-generating affiliates.
LAUREN BLUM
Senior Director, Publicity
Blum works with a variety of music artists, actors, directors and comedians for music and DVD releases. Recent campaigns include the “My Little Pony” line and Mel Brooks: Make a Noise, among others.
Wolfe Video
MARIA LYNN
President
Lynn assisted Kathy Wolfe in the creation of Wolfe Video nearly 30 years ago and now serves as its president. The company is internationally known as the leader in mainstreaming films with gay content. While casting a wide net in traditional retail, television and VOD, Lynn has forged strategic partnerships with mainstream platforms.
DEG: The Digital Entertainment Group
AMY JO SMITH
President, DEG: The Digital Entertainment Group
At the helm of the DEG since its inception in 1997, Smith has led the industry-funded group’s efforts to enhance and promote home entertainment as it evolved from videocassettes to DVDs to Blu-ray Discs to digital. Currently, the DEG is working to promote such recent digital initiatives as Digital HD, UltraViolet, Ultra-HD 4K and high-resolution audio. Smith, a former White House communications advisor, was inducted into the Video Hall of Fame in 2009, and in 2007 was the recipient of the Visionary Award presented by Home Media Magazine and The Hollywood Reporter. A University of Pennsylvania graduate, Smith serves on the Alumni Advisory Board of the Annenberg School at Penn, the Board of the Penn SCRAB and Tom Sherak MS Hope Foundation Board.
Entertainment Merchants Association
CARRIE DIETERICH
SVP, strategic initiatives, Entertainment Merchants Association
Dieterich has more than 25 years of experience in the entertainment industry. She joined the Entertainment Merchants Association (EMA) in 1994, when it was known as the Video Software Dealers Association. She was VP of marketing and industry relations since 1999 until she was promoted to her current post this month. Dieterich’s current responsibilities include overseeing the association’s research efforts and marketing initiatives. She is also responsible for logistics for trade events, including the Los Angeles Entertainment Summit, Independent Product Market, Digital Media Pipeline and the Digital EMA salons.
JENNIFER LANE BURNELL
Director of brand image, Entertainment Merchants Association
Burnell, who first joined the EMA in 2002, creates marketing and sales materials for events, including Digital Media Pipeline, the Independent Product Market and the Los Angeles Entertainment Summit; digital initiatives; and membership sales. She also helps manage the EMA’s digital supply chain activities. Burnell has worked in the home entertainment industry for nearly two decades, having been a store manager for Stop & Shop Video in New England and the marketing and production coordinator at Video Store Magazine (now Home Media Magazine).
Netflix
ELIZABETH BRADLEY
VP, Content Acquisition, Domestic TV
Bradley licenses television content in the United States, and TV and features in Canada. Bradley joined Netflix in 2006 negotiating DVD agreements, and in 2010 joined a newly formed team focused on licensing strategy for the television marketplace.
PAULINE FISCHER
VP, Content Acquisition
Fischer manages film content acquisition from major studios and mini-major partners, including Lionsgate. She previously held positions in worldwide acquisitions and strategy, planning and business development at Paramount Pictures.
BRYONY GAGAN
VP, Business and Legal Affairs
Gagan oversees business and legal affairs related to content acquisition, original productions and DVD. She is a graduate of Stanford Law School.
CINDY HOLLAND
VP, Original Content
A 12-year veteran at Netflix, Holland manages the company’s original series initiatives, including “House of Cards,” “Orange Is the New Black” and others. She recently greenlighted U.K. production “The Crown.”
ANNA LEE
Director of Content, DVD
Lee oversees packaged-media acquisitions and digital content services for global territories. She previously worked at Bertelsmann AG and Time Warner.
KELLY MERRYMAN
VP, Content Acquisition
Merryman manages content acquisitions for Netflix’s foreign expansion. Previously, she held positions in digital distribution and business development at Sony Pictures.
LISA NISHIMURA
VP, Original Documentary and Comedy Programming
Nishimura manages the company’s original documentary and comedy initiatives. She previously oversaw global independent studio content acquisitions.
JESSICA RODRIGUEZ
VP, Content Acquisition
Rodriguez manages content acquisitions for Latin America. She previously held business development and GM positions at Discovery Channel, Landmark Communications, National Geographic Channels, Universal and BBC Worldwide for Latin America.
Hulu
ELAINE PAUL
CFO, Strategy And Business Development
In addition to her current tenure in corporate strategy, Paul previously served as VP of business development for the Walt Disney Internet Group, where she led a team responsible for developing strategic partnerships and worked to enhance and monetize the online assets of the company. Paul also worked on various mergers and acquisitions, strategy and growth initiatives, including Disney’s investment in Hulu and the merger of Disney-owned joint ventures A&E and Lifetime.
JENNY WALL
SVP, Head of Marketing
Wall is responsible for strategy and implementation across the Hulu brand, acquisition and retention channels as well as communications, content, consumer insights and creative. Prior to joining Hulu, she spent time at Netflix leading the global creative team where she spearheaded the Watch Responsibly brand campaign along with launch campaigns for Netflix’s original series.
BEATRICE SPRINGBORN
Head of Originals
Prior to heading up original programming for Hulu, Springborn was head of television for Storyline Entertainment, which has deals with Universal Television, NBC International and Sony Pictures TV. She developed and produced the MTV series “Happyland,” which premiered this fall. Prior to Storyline, Springborn was SVP for Caryn Mandabach Productions.
Redbox
KIERA HYNNINEN
SVP, Marketing
Hynninen oversees the kiosk vendor’s brand and expansive customer base to help Redbox dominate the disc rental marketplace. She joined Redbox in 2013 following stints at Kraft Foods, Holiday Inn, The Weather Channel and National Geographic Channel.
■ Lori Flynn, VP, purchasing
Walmart
LAURA PHILLIPS
SVP and General Merchandise Manager, Entertainment
Phillips plays an instrumental role in managing Walmart’s entertainment business. She oversees the product development, sourcing, buying and merchandise development for the entertainment division. Phillips joined Walmart in 1994 as a store intern. A year later she transitioned to the Walmart home office as the buyer for toys, cosmetics and flowers. In 2003 she was promoted to VP and divisional merchandise manager, working in various departments. In 2010, Phillips was promoted to SVP of toys, seasonal, celebrations and seasonal key events. She has been in her current post since February 2013.
Comcast NBCUniversal
MAGGIE McLEAN SUNIEWICK
VP, Programming
Suniewick manages editorial and programming across all video platforms and consumer interfaces, including Xfinity On Demand, Xfinity TV and Xfinity TV Store. In addition, she oversees the content development team and works closely with content partners to bring their programming to as many Xfinity platforms as possible.
Public Relations
SHAWNA LYNCH
EVP, Bender/Helper Impact
Shawna has spearheaded the strategic public relations campaigns for virtually every studio and their DVD releases for the past two decades. She leads an essential part of the marketing effort to elevate the awareness of each DVD or Blu-ray that she represents and plays an integral role in driving sales.
SUE PROCKO
Founder/CEO SPPR Inc.
For more than 25 years, Procko has worked as an entertainment industry public relations professional. She founded her own public relations firm, SPPR Inc., in 1992. Since then, Procko has created myriad promotional and marketing campaigns across all media platforms. In 1997, SPPR was the first company to downcast a satellite media tour to the then-burgeoning Internet, a radical promotional effort at that time, now commonly known as a podcast.
JULIE SIEGEL
Director, Publicity, SPPR Inc.
Siegel oversees the home entertainment publicity campaigns for dozens of films represented by SPPR from such studios as The Weinstein Company, Anchor Bay Films and Overture Films. She has worked on campaigns for The King’s Speech, My Week With Marilyn, The Iron Lady, Blue Valentine and many others.
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