Sony Pictures
Entertainment has promoted Valerie Van Galder and Marc Weinstock to
co-presidents of Worldwide Theatrical Marketing, it was announced today by
Jeff Blake, chairman of worldwide marketing and distribution for the
studio, to whom the two will report.
Van Galder and Weinstock will collectively develop and oversee
worldwide marketing campaigns for all films released by Columbia Pictures,
Screen Gems and Sony Pictures Animation.
The two have worked together for more than a decade, first joining
forces while working at Fox Searchlight. Van Galder originally brought
Weinstock to join her at Screen Gems in 2000, when she oversaw marketing
and publicity for the genre label. When Van Galder moved from her role as
president of TriStar Pictures in January 2006 to take over the reins of the
domestic marketing division at Columbia Pictures, Weinstock made a seamless
transition to lead motion picture marketing for Screen Gems and has since
launched eight #1 films.
Van Galder and Weinstock have been the marketing architects for a total
of 28 #1 films.
Blake has reunited the two longtime colleagues to work together in
developing and implementing the global marketing blueprint and launch
strategy for more than 20 motion pictures a year.
"Val and Marc are recognized as two of the most creative, imaginative
and strategic motion picture marketers in the industry today," said Blake.
"They have worked magnificently well together as partners for more than a
decade, and they have an incredible and enviable track record of success.
By reuniting their talents, we will bring their experience and leadership
to our offices overseas where we will deliver their consistent innovation
and skill and make sure that our campaigns get the same strong care and
treatment abroad. As we place our global marketing structure under one
roof, Marc and Val each bring with them the trust and confidence of the
studio's top filmmakers, talent and executives, and we couldn't be in
better hands."
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Over the next several months, the two will begin working together to
shape the marketing campaigns for upcoming titles such as Columbia
Pictures' Quantum of Solace, the 22nd James Bond adventure, starring Daniel
Craig as 007; Angels & Demons, the feature film adaptation of Dan Brown's
bestselling novel, which reunites the team behind the worldwide smash hit
The DaVinci Code; Roland Emmerich's 2012; The Taking of Pelham 1,2,3,
starring Denzel Washington and John Travolta; and Nick and Norah's Infinite
Playlist, starring Michael Cera and Kat Dennings. They are also overseeing
the campaigns for Screen Gems' Lakeview Terrace, which is directed by Neil
LaBute and stars Samuel L. Jackson, Kerry Washington, and Patrick Wilson;
Quarantine; Underworld: Rise of the Lycans, the next installment of the
highly successful series, and District 9, from producer Peter Jackson,
among many other films. The two will also oversee marketing for the
upcoming feature films from Sony Pictures Animation including the recently
announced Smurfs movie, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, and Hotel
Transylvania.
Since her promotion to president of domestic marketing in 2006, Van
Galder has launched such hit films as Vantage Point, Superbad, Spider-Man
(TM) 3, Ghost Rider, The Pursuit of Happyness, Casino Royale, The DaVinci
Code, Click, Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, RV, The Grudge 2,
Gridiron Gang, The Pink Panther, Monster House, and Sony Pictures
Animation's first full length CGI feature film Open Season, among others.
Van Galder previously served as president of TriStar Pictures, where
she developed and shepherded three films -- Running With Scissors, Silent
Hill, and Premonition -- in addition to leading the Screen Gems/TriStar
marketing team.
Prior to running TriStar, Van Galder served as executive vice president
of marketing for Screen Gems, where she launched such hit films as The
Exorcism of Emily Rose, Underworld, Resident Evil: Apocalypse, Boogeyman,
and You Got Served, all of which opened #1 at the box office. During her
tenure at Screen Gems, she also developed campaigns for such films as The
Mothman Prophecies, Snatch, and The Brothers, among others.
Before joining the studio, Van Galder served as senior vice president
of marketing and publicity at Fox Searchlight, where she was instrumental
in launching such films as The Full Monty, Waking Ned Devine, The Ice
Storm, and The Brothers Mc Mullen. Prior to joining Fox Searchlight, Van
Galder was vice president of marketing and publicity at Hard Rock America.
She began her career at Rogers and Cowan in the motion picture publicity
department after graduating from UCLA.
Weinstock has served as president of marketing for Screen Gems since
October 2007 and has headed up marketing for the division since January
2006, when he succeeded Van Galder as executive vice president. He has
overseen marketing for such #1 hits as Resident Evil: Extinction, Stomp the
Yard, Underworld: Evolution, When a Stranger Calls, and Prom Night. In
addition, he developed campaigns for such hits as First Sunday, This
Christmas, and TriStar films such as Christophe Gans' Silent Hill, and the
Sandra Bullock/Julian McMahon film Premonition.
Prior to SPE, Weinstock spent three years as director of marketing for
Fox Searchlight Pictures.
Weinstock graduated from Emory University with a degree in
International Relations and a minor in Film Studies.
Sony Pictures Entertainment
Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a division of Sony Corporation of
America (SCA), a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE's global
operations encompass motion picture production and distribution; television
production and distribution; digital content creation and distribution;
worldwide channel investments; home entertainment acquisition and
distribution; operation of studio facilities; development of new
entertainment products, services and technologies; and distribution of
filmed entertainment in 67 countries.
Source: Sony Pictures Entertainment
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