MGM Sales Director Erik Lomis Recalls Paramount CEO Chris Aronson for Industry Impact and Will Rogers Charity: ‘Different from Everyone Else’ – CinemaCon

MGM Domestic Distribution Chief Erik Lomis’ legacy was commemorated this morning at CinemaCon by his Paramount Domestic Distribution boss Chris Aronson, who worked with the former at MGM years ago. Lomis died suddenly on March 22 after having just released MGMs Creed III to record cash register results; a win for Amazon, the studio’s streaming company, as well.

Lomis was a force during the pandemic. As most studios looked to abandon their streamer tentpoles as the exhibition’s status remained closed and questionable, Lomis pushed for a theatrical release of the latest Daniel Craig James Bond film. Not only did he ensure that the film was screened until cinemas reopened, but he also foresaw the impact that Covid would have on the industry in mid-March 2020. Lomis was the first studio sales manager who had the courage to move No time to die; at a time when the effects of Covid were widely known among various studio heads across the city. Lomis was also instrumental in getting Amazon to film the Ben Affleck-Matt Damon Heaven Dramedy from a Prime Video launch to a theatrical release this spring.

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However, Lomis was not only about brilliant sales pitches, but also about his commitment to charitable causes, especially donations to the Will Rogers Institute. “When Erik called, you gave in,” a distribution source told me after his death.

“Our industry has lost one of the most passionate, intelligent and best sales managers. Erik Lomis was different from everyone else,” Aronson said in a very heartfelt speech.

“You can take the boy out of Philly, but you can never take Philly out of the boy. Erik was a friend to many, a mentor to many and honestly just an incredibly special person. Although Erik’s sudden death is so difficult to understand, we must understand that life can only be understood backwards, but life must be lived forward,” Aronson added.

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“And that’s how Erik wanted it: always live ahead. Make the most of each day…days that usually started before most others woke up,” Aronson continued.

“Erik, like many of us, loved to win. Win at work, win at golf and win on the field. Erik was a huge Philadelphia Eagles fan and over the years we enjoyed many Eagles-49ers games, including last season’s NFC Championship game. While my team typically came out on top and had many more Super Bowl wins than his team, in hindsight I’m glad Erik’s team won the last one. I’ll always think of Erik when the Niners play the Eagles, but it just won’t be the same.”

“But things like wins and losses that once seemed so important will just fade away. So what really matters? What counts is not your own success, but your own importance. What counts is every act of courage, integrity, sacrifice and compassion we can do. And Erik was incredibly compassionate. His tireless efforts and his work for the Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers set the standard not only for me, but also for Todd Vradenburg, Jim Orr and many others. Erik’s passion for Will Rogers and the work of the charity has resulted in donations in his honor from over 100 people totaling over $150,000 and more.

“Some people come into our lives and quickly leave. Others stay long, leave footprints in our hearts and we are never the same. Eric was one of those people. His footprints are on his family, they are on me, they are on this company, and they are on anyone whose life was fortunate enough to cross paths with his.

“There are some people who bring such great light into the world that the light remains after they die. May Erik’s light shine bright,” Aronson concluded.