Jeff Blake Named Chairman, Worldwide Marketing and Distribution for Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group

Jeff Blake Named Chairman, Worldwide Marketing and Distribution for Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group

CULVER CITY, Calif., Sept. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Jeff Blake has been named Chairman of Worldwide Marketing and Distribution for the Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, it was announced today by Michael Lynton, Chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures Entertainment, and Amy Pascal, Chairman of SPE's Motion Picture Group.

"Jeff Blake is not only one of Sony's greatest assets, but I think he is recognized industry wide as one of the best in the business," said Lynton. "As the marketing landscape changes and becomes more and more fragmented and the exhibition community faces the challenge of converting to digital cinema, there is no one better to guide us than Jeff Blake. He is truly second to no one and he inspires those around him to do their best work. We couldn't be more proud to recognize his extraordinary contributions with this promotion. "

"When it comes to fully understanding how to strategically move all the pieces on the marketing and distribution chess board on a worldwide basis, Jeff Blake is always thinking two moves ahead and that gives Sony a true competitive edge," said Pascal. "He is the studio's secret weapon and while he would be the first to credit his fantastic sales and marketing team, there are few executives here that deserve more credit for our successes during the past several years than Jeff."

Jeff Blake became Vice Chairman of Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) in October 2002 and served as President, Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, Worldwide Marketing and Distribution since October, 2000.

Mr. Blake was previously President of Worldwide Distribution for Columbia Pictures and has headed the studio's film distribution arm since 1992. Mr. Blake directs and oversees the global marketing and distribution of all films from SPE'S production entities -- Columbia Pictures, Revolution Studios, TriStar and Screen Gems. Since January, 2002, twenty-eight of those films have been #1 hits at the box office, more than any other studio during a comparable time.

Among them are such blockbusters as Spider-Man(R) 2, Hitch, 50 First Dates, Men in Black(TM)2, Mr. Deeds, Bad Boys II, Anger Management, Panic Room, Daddy Day Care, Spider-Man(R), Something's Gotta Give, S.W.A.T., XXX, Black Hawk Down, Charlie's Angels(TM) and The Grudge, among many others.

Mr. Blake became President of Sony Pictures Releasing in August 1994. Prior to that, he was President of Domestic Distribution for Columbia Pictures, a title he had held since joining SPE.

Mr. Blake previously worked at Paramount Pictures, where he served as Executive Vice President and General Sales Manager of Domestic Distribution from 1987 to 1992. While there, he contributed to the release of such hit films as Ghost, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Top Gun, Beverly Hills Cop 2, and The Hunt for Red October.

Mr. Blake's career began at Paramount in 1974. He subsequently moved to the Los Angeles offices of the Walt Disney Company's theatrical sales unit, Buena Vista Distribution, in 1980, as assistant to the general sales manager. He returned to Paramount as manager of the Western Division in 1981 and was promoted to Vice President of Theatrical Distribution in 1984.

Mr. Blake is a member of the California Bar Association, Vice President of the Motion Picture Pioneers Foundation and a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences. He is also a member of the Los Angeles chapter of Variety Club Children's Charities and was honored with the 1995 Humanitarian Award from the Variety Club of Queens, New York. He holds a bachelors' degree in economics from Northwestern University and a law degree from Whittier College of Law.

Steve Elzer Senior Vice President, Media Relations Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group (310)-244-7142

Source: Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group

CONTACT: Steve Elzer, Senior Vice President, Media Relations of Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, +1-310-244-7142

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