Kevin Wilson appointed head of Amazon Studios & MGM Theatrical Distribution – CinemaCon

Kevin Wilson has officially been named head of theatrical distribution for Amazon Studios and MGM as the parent company combines labels into one theatrical distribution group.

The news follows the death of former Amazon MGM head of sales Erik Lomis, who was fondly remembered at Tuesday’s CinemaCon by several including Chris Aronson; former MGM Motion Picture executives Michael De Luca and Pam Abdy, now at Warner Bros.; and then Jeff Goldstein, director of domestic sales for Warner Bros.

Recently, Amazon’s return to cinema grossed $272 million worldwide Creed III and the current $69 million worldwide gross for Ben Affleck’s Dramedy Heaven, about how Nike got Michael Jordan to create the Air Jordan sneakers. The longtime lieutenant of Lomis, Wilson is a distribution veteran who has covered more than 100 films in the United States that have grossed more than $7 billion.

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Wilson worked at Summit Entertainment and the distribution of Open Road Films, where he lined up the pictures of the Oscar winners for best picture headlight And The pain box; Oscar Nominations for MGM’s Best Picture Liquorice Pizza And women talk; and overseeing the distribution of successful franchise films including dusk And No time to die.

East Coast sales veteran Mark Boxer, who joined Amazon sales during the Bob Berney era, has been named head of specialty theater sales and will report to Wilson’s group. He oversaw the releases of Amazon Original Movies as Sound of Metal, Hotel Transylvania 4, Being the Ricardos and day and date of publication Come 2 America. Prior to joining Amazon, Boxer was EVP of Sales and Distribution at IFC Films and oversaw the release of award-winning pictures including childhood. At Amazon, he will oversee the release of feature films; the studio’s Culver Theater space; and Prime Premiere releases. Boxer is also a former Sony and Savoy Pictures sales veteran.

Here’s the latest on Wilson’s promotion from Courtenay Valenti, head of film, theater and streaming at Amazon Studios:

We are in a very dynamic and exciting time as the integration of the MGM film group and Amazon Studios is complete. Six weeks ago, we brought together the creative development and production teams from AOM and MGM under Julie Rapaport. Julie’s team is now executing our larger film strategy across both distribution platforms. Therefore, now is the right time to merge both film distribution groups (MGM and AOM) into a unified team.

The death of Erik Lomis was a very sad moment and a great loss for everyone who knew him and worked with him. But we are very fortunate that Kevin Wilson, Erik’s partner and longtime colleague, will become Head of Theatrical Distribution. Kevin will oversee and execute our local theatrical distribution strategy, reporting to me and working closely with Sue Kroll, Head of Marketing, Amazon & MGM Studios, and her team members Stephen Bruno and Gerry Rich on the release of all our Amazon & MGM Studios films.

A seasoned executive, Kevin has many years of experience in theatrical distribution and has released more than 100 films of all genres and forms, earning nearly $7 billion in US box office. In addition, Kevin was a key sales executive at several start-up companies. including Summit Entertainment and Open Road Films. Kevin has extensive relationships with both exhibition partners and industry peers and has released award-winning Best Picture winners headlight And The pain box; notable best picture nominees including Liquorice Pizza And women talk; In addition to overseeing the distribution of highly successful franchises including Dusk, No Time to Die, Creed III and last Heaven.

Mark Boxer, along with his team, will now report to Kevin’s group as Head of Specialty Theater Rentals. For the past six years, Mark has overseen the release of Amazon Original Movies, including Sound of Metal, Hotel Transylvania 4, Being the Ricardosand day and date of publication Come to America. Prior to joining Amazon Studios, Mark was EVP, Sales and Distribution at IFC Films overseeing the release of award-winning films such as childhood. In his current role, Mark will oversee the releases of select feature films; our Culver Theater Room; and Prime Premiere releases.

We are fortunate to have two such talented sales managers as we continue to grow and invest in our film business. Please join my congratulations to Kevin, Mark and their combined team. And don’t hesitate to share this email with partner teams.