Decision Makers
Board of Directors
Jon Feltheimer was named Chief Executive Officer of Lionsgate in March 2000; his title expanded to include the role of Co-Chairman in June 2005. His blueprint for Lionsgate's growth, combining the flexibility and entrepreneurial culture of an independent with the financial and strategic relationships of a major studio and the structure and consumer focus of a top digital age company, draws upon his 25-year career in the entertainment industry.
During Mr. Feltheimer's tenure, Lionsgate has grown into the leading next generation filmed entertainment studio through a combination of organic growth and accretive strategic acquisitions. With the acquisitions of Artisan Entertainment, Trimark Holdings and other available libraries, Lionsgate now manages one of the most prestigious and prolific libraries in the entertainment industry with 12,000 titles, a diverse portfolio of businesses and an exciting, commercially potent feature film slate of 12 to 15 releases a year.
Lionsgate's feature film slate has generated more than $400 million at the North American box office in the past 12 months. The Company has achieved approximately 7% North American theatrical box office market share for calendar year 2009 to date, propelled by such hits as TYLER PERRY’S MADEA GOES TO JAIL, the second highest-grossing film in Lionsgate history, and MY BLOODY VALENTINE 3D. Other recent successes include SAW V, the latest installment of the most popular long-running horror franchise in history, RELIGULOUS, FORBIDDEN KINGDOM, RAMBO and THE BANK JOB. Lionsgate has earned 31 Academy Award® nominations and seven Oscar® wins over the past nine years, more than any other independent studio.
The highly diversified company also features a vibrant television business with several prime-time cable and broadcast network series, including the Emmy Award-winning drama series “Mad Men” and “Weeds,” and a syndicated portfolio through its Debmar-Mercury television distribution arm that includes Tyler Perry’s “House of Payne,” “The Wendy Williams Show,” Tyler Perry’s “Meet the Browns,” “Family Feud” and “South Park.” Lionsgate’s $600-million-a-year home entertainment business has 7% market share and the industry’s highest box office-to-DVD conversion rate, including such recent hit titles as TRANSPORTER 3, SAW V, and TYLER PERRY’S THE FAMILY THAT PREYS. Lionsgate is also building a portfolio of new channel businesses, including FEARnet, the branded horror channel operated with partners Sony and Comcast, now approaching the 30 million subscriber mark, and EPIX, the new premium entertainment channel with partners Viacom and MGM. The company recently announced the acquisition of TV Guide Network and TV Guide.com. TV Guide is one of the 25 most widely distributed networks in the country, reaching 83 million households.
During Mr. Feltheimer’s nine-year tenure as CEO, Lionsgate has increased its revenues from approximately $180 million in 2000 to a projected $1.5 billion this year, grown its market capitalization, built a strong balance sheet supported by significant available cash and a $340 million JPMorgan credit facility, and created a unique and successful business model.
In addition to the Artisan and Trimark purchases, Lionsgate has continued to grow its business through a series of acquisitions. In October 2005, Lionsgate acquired Redbus Film Distributors (subsequently renamed Lionsgate U.K.), which has expanded the Company’s presence in the international arena. In July 2006, the Company purchased Debmar-Mercury, extending Lionsgate’s reach into television syndication with such syndicated successes as Tyler Perry's “House of Payne” and “Meet the Browns,” Paramount’s “South Park,” “Family Feud,” the “Wendy Williams Show,” and E! Entertainment’s “True Hollywood Stories.”
In August 2007, Lionsgate acquired the independent production and distribution company Mandate Pictures, which subsequently released the box office hit and Best Picture Academy Award® nominee JUNO, as well as HAROLD AND KUMAR 2 and NICK AND NORA’S INFINITE PLAYLIST. Lionsgate made a 42 percent equity investment in Break.com, the leading online site for young men ages 18-34, and a 43 percent investment in Roadside Attractions, an independent film production and distribution platform. Lionsgate has also created a vibrant global distribution infrastructure that includes the product of a growing roster of third parties including Relativity Media, Gold Circle Films, Miramax, Televisa and StudioCanal, in addition to Lionsgate’s own content.
Before joining Lionsgate, Mr. Feltheimer spent nine years at Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE). He engineered the creation of TriStar Television as part of SPE's acquisition of television assets from New World Entertainment Ltd. He was subsequently named head of the Columbia TriStar Television Group, head of Sony Entertainment Television and executive vice president of SPE, leading the television group's evolution into an international powerhouse that launched or partnered in nearly 30 branded channels, regional networks and co-production ventures around the world. While at Sony, Feltheimer's strong creative talent relationships helped lead to such hits as “Mad About You,” “The Nanny,” “Dawson’s Creek,” “Party of Five” and “King Of Queens,” and he oversaw the company's distribution business, including the syndication launches of shows as diverse as “Seinfeld” and “Ricki Lake,” as well as managing the Comp
| Organization |
Position |
Status |
| Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. |
President, Digital Media |
Current |
| Cinemanow, Inc. |
Chairman |
Current |
| Cinemanow, Inc. |
Chief Executive Officer |
Former |
| Cinemanow, Inc. |
Co-Founder |
Former |
| MTV Networks Company |
|
Former |
| Microsoft Corporation |
|
Former |
| International Business Machines Corporation |
|
Former |
| Cinemanow, Inc. |
Board of Directors |
Former |
| University of California, Los Angeles |
Bfa In Motion Picture and Television Production |
Former |
| Organization |
Position |
Status |
| Mandate Pictures |
CEO, Mandate Pictures, Co-Chief Operating Officer and President, Lionsgate Motion Picture Group |
Current |
| Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. |
President, Motion Picture Group and Co-Chief Operating Officer |
Current |
Steve Beeks was named President of Lionsgate in February 2004; his title was expanded to include the role of Co-Chief Operating Officer in 2007. Beeks joins Chief Executive Officer Jon Feltheimer, Vice Chairman Michael Burns, and Co-Chief Operating Officer Joe Drake as a member of Lionsgate’s senior team. He is responsible for all corporate operations, plays a key role in the strategic direction for the Company and is involved in all major production and distribution decisions. He also has direct oversight of Lionsgate UK and Lionsgate Australia as well as Lionsgate’s home entertainment businesses, including packaged media and all digital media initiatives.
Following the merger of Lionsgate and Artisan, Lionsgate’s home entertainment division has emerged as one of the largest and most powerful in the industry, capturing nearly 7% market share for the year to date. Under Mr. Beeks’ stewardship, the Lionsgate filmed entertainment library has maintained a trend of steady growth year-over-year and is on track for nearly $275 million in revenue this year.
Beeks previously served as President of Artisan Home Entertainment, which he joined in January 1998, following the purchase of the Company by Bain Capital. The revenue of the division grew from $115 million to $300 million during his tenure. As president of the division, he spearheaded the marketing, advertising, sale and distribution of Artisan’s theatrical films and extensive library of feature films in the videocassette and DVD market as well as overseeing the acquisition and/or production of new programming.
Previously, Mr. Beeks started Hallmark Home Entertainment, for the Hallmark Cards Company, as an independent home video distributor in October 1994, distributing filmed entertainment produced by the Company as well as several other independent suppliers. He became one of the leading independent home video distributors with exclusive relationships with The Samuel Goldwyn Company, October Films, Showtime Original Pictures and others.
From early 1986 until early 1994, he was Vice President, Business Development for The Paragon Group, a limited partnership formed to invest in the entertainment industry, and Executive Vice President and President, Home Entertainment Group for Republic Pictures Corporation.
Mr. Beeks holds a Masters Degree in Business Administration from the Harvard Business School and a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, California
Jim Keegan is Chief Financial Officer of Lionsgate and is responsible for all aspects of the Company's financial planning, forecasting, financial management, accounting and capital structure. A 20-year veteran of the entertainment industry, he has previously served as Chief Financial Officer of such entertainment companies as Artisan Entertainment and Trimark Pictures.
Mr. Keegan is a member of Lionsgate's senior decision-making team. During his five-year tenure with the Company, Lionsgate has implemented streamlined and centralized state-of-the-art accounting systems, bolstered its credit facilities and strengthened its balance sheet through a series of convertible subordinated debenture and secondary stock offerings.
Mr. Keegan began his career at the Big Four accounting firm Price Waterhouse Coopers. He joined the entertainment industry as a manager of pay television accounting at Columbia Pictures Television. He was subsequently promoted to director of pay TV accounting at Columbia Pictures Television and then was named Controller of the RCA/Columbia Pictures Home Video joint venture.
He became Controller of Trimark Pictures Home Video in 1988 and, the following year, began an eight year tenure as Chief Financial Officer of Trimark Pictures, where he played an integral role in taking the Company public in 1989. He worked four years as Chief Financial Officer of Artisan Entertainment before being recruited to join Lionsgate as Chief Financial Officer in late 2002. Lionsgate's capitalization has grown from several hundred million dollars to more than 1 billion during Mr. Keegan's tenure and its revenues have more than tripled.
Gordon Lancaster, a Canadian Chartered Accountant, is a senior executive with extensive domestic and international corporate experience, in fields including equity and debt financings, regulatory compliance, acquisitions and integration, legal, risk management and taxation. Mr. Lancaster was with leading global accounting firm Deloitte & Touche LLP for 20 years, including five years as a partner. He also has more than 20 years' experience in senior financial positions with a variety of private and public firms, serving as Chief Financial Officer for First City Group, Vancouver International Airport Authority, Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. and Power Measurement Inc.
Wayne Levin is General Counsel and Executive Vice President of Corporate Operations for Lionsgate. He is the Company's senior legal and business affairs executive and is a member of Lionsgate's senior decision-making team. He reports to Chief Executive Officer Jon Feltheimer in his capacity as General Counsel and to President and co-Chief Operating Officer Steve Beeks in his operational capacity.
In addition to his operational management responsibilities, Mr. Levin has successfully negotiated and drafted a wide range of agreements, including agreements related to mergers, acquisitions, corporate restructurings and securities offerings. He has played a key role in Lionsgate's growth strategy, negotiating and overseeing the acquisitions and subsequent integration of such companies as Artisan Entertainment, Redbus Holdings (subsequently renamed Lionsgate U.K.), Debmar-Mercury and Mandate Pictures as well as Lionsgate's equity investments in Roadside Attractions and Break.com.
Mr. Levin was also the architect of Lionsgate's $400 million theatrical slate financing with a Goldman Sachs-led consortium of financial institutions (Pride Pictures) and the Company's $140 million theatrical and television slate financing with Quebec-based Societe generale de financement du Quebec. In addition, he manages closely the legal and business aspects of Lionsgate's relationship with top creative talent such as Tyler Perry, the Twisted Pictures' principals (the Saw franchise) and After Dark Films.
In his entertainment work, Mr. Levin has concluded agreements related to motion picture financing, including German tax funds and sale/lease-backs, slate financing transactions, acquisitions, negative pick-ups, co-productions, and distribution agreements, including output deals and home video revenue sharing arrangements. He has also concluded various motion picture production agreements including writer, producer, director, actor and other talent arrangements. Mr. Levin has negotiated with all major and independent studios and television networks.
Prior to joining the Company when Lionsgate acquired Trimark Holdings in October 2000, Mr. Levin headed up the Business & Legal Affairs department at Trimark Pictures from 1996 through 2000.
Mr. Levin worked in private practice for several years before joining Trimark Pictures. His practice primarily emphasized entertainment law, criminal law, and litigation. He completed a number of jury trials and arbitration proceedings as lead attorney.
Mr. Levin has served as an Adjunct Professor of Law for Southwestern University School of Law since 1994. As a professor of law for advanced entertainment studies, he teaches courses that outline the production, distribution and financing of theatrical motion pictures and the primary collective bargaining agreements.
Mr. Levin earned a B.S. from UCLA in 1985 and a J.D. from Southwestern in 1988. He was admitted to the State Bar of California in 1988.
Harald Ludwig. Mr. Ludwig previously served as a director from November 1997 to December 2004, and was re-appointed to our board of directors in June 2005. Mr. Ludwig is currently Co-Chairman of our board of directors and Chairman of our Strategic Advisory Committee. Since 1985, Mr. Ludwig has served as President of Macluan Capital Corporation, a leveraged buy-out company. Mr. Ludwig is a director, a member of the Governance Committee and Chairman of the Compensation Committee of West Fraser Timber Co. Limited, a public company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange. Mr. Ludwig is 53 years old and his place of residence is West Vancouver, British Columbia.
Arthur Evrensel. Mr. Evrensel became a director in September 2001 and is Chairman of our Compensation Committee. Mr. Evrensel has been a partner with the law firm of Heenan Blaikie LLP since 1992. Mr. Evrensel is 50 years old and his place of residence is North Vancouver, British Columbia.
Brian V. Tobin. Mr. Tobin became a director in January 2004 and is a member of our Audit Committee and our Strategic Advisory Committee. Mr. Tobin is currently the President of BVT Associates Inc., a consulting company, a Senior Business Advisor with Fraser Milner Casgrain LLP in Toronto, Canada, and is Special Advisor for the Canadian Youth Business Foundation. Mr. Tobin has been a consultant since 2002 and, prior to that, held numerous political positions in Canada, both federal and provincial, including as Federal Minister of Industry from October 2000 to January 2002, and Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador from 1996 to 2000. Mr. Tobin is a director and member of the Human Resources & Compensation Committee of Aecon Group Inc., a public company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange, Vice Chairman of the board of directors and a member of the Audit Committee of Consolidated Thompson — Lundmark Gold Mines Ltd., a public company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange, and Chairman of the board of directors and a member of the Compensation, Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of New Flyer Industries Inc., a public company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange. Mr. Tobin is also a director of Canpages Inc. and Marport Canada, Inc., both privately held companies. Mr. Tobin is 53 years old and his place of residence is Toronto, Ontario.
Daryl Simm. Mr. Simm became a director in September 2004 and is a member of our Compensation Committee and our Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee. Since 1998, Mr. Simm has been Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Omnicom Media Group, a division of Omnicom Group, Inc., of which he is an officer. Omnicom Media Group companies provide media planning and buying and related services to advertisers. Mr. Simm is 47 years old and his place of residence is New York, New York.
| Organization |
Position |
Status |
| Paterson Partners Inc |
Chief Executive Officer |
Current |
| Jump TV.Com |
Chief Executive Officer |
Current |
| Freepour Controls Inc. |
Partner |
Current |
| G. Scott Paterson |
|
Current |
| Automated Benefits Inc |
Chairman of the Board |
Current |
| Marilyn Van Stone Foundation |
Honorary Chairperson |
Current |
| Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. |
Board of Directors |
Current |
| Co-Art Gallery, Inc. |
Board of Directors |
Current |
| Co-Art Gallery, Inc. |
Trustee |
Current |
| Jump TV.Com |
Chairman |
Former |
| TSX Group, Inc. |
Vice-Chairman |
Former |
Hardwick Simmons. Mr. Simmons became a director in June 2005 and is a member of our Compensation Committee and our Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee. During his tenure at The NASDAQ Stock Market Inc. from February 2001 to June 2003, Mr. Simmons served first as Chief Executive Officer and then as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. From May 1991 to December 2000, Mr. Simmons served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Prudential Securities Incorporated. Mr. Simmons is currently the lead director and a member of the Corporate Governance, Nominating and Compensation Committee for Raymond James Financial, a public company listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and a director of Geneva Acquisition Corp., a special purpose acquisition company listed on the American Stock Exchange. Mr. Simmons is 68 years old and his place of residence is Katonah, New York.
| Organization |
Position |
Status |
| Recap Ventures |
Partner |
Current |
| Intracorp Capital, LLC |
Principal |
Current |
| Intrawest Corporation |
Chairman |
Current |
| Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. |
Director |
Current |
| Paradigm Environmental Technologies Inc |
Director |
Current |
| Intrawest Golf |
CEO |
Former |
| Intrawest Corporation |
CEO |
Former |
| Intrawest Corporation |
President |
Former |
| Intrawest Corporation |
Founder |
Former |
| Intrawest Corporation |
Operator |
Former |
| Versacold Income Fund |
Board of Directors |
Former |
| Morguard Corporation |
Director |
Former |
| AGF Management Limited |
Director |
Former |
| Morguard Corporation |
Vice-Chairman |
Former |
| University of Pittsburgh |
MBA |
Former |
| University of British Columbia |
MBA |
Former |
| University of Saskatchewan |
Degrees |
Former |
| University of British Columbia |
Degrees |
Former |
Laurie May. Ms. May has been a director since September 2005. Ms. May is Co-President and a director of Maple Pictures Corp. (“Maple Pictures”). Ms. May joined our company as Vice President, Business & Legal Affairs in March 1997, and was promoted to Senior Vice President, Business & Legal Affairs, which position she held until April 2005. In April 2005, the Company spun off its Canadian distribution operation into Maple Pictures, which distributes the Company’s film and television programs in Canada, as well as produces and distributes other filmed entertainment in Canada. Prior to joining the Company, Ms. May practiced corporate and entertainment law at Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP for three years. She was also an adjunct professor of Entertainment and Sports Law at the University of Western Ontario. She received her Bachelor of Laws from the University of Toronto Law School. Ms. May is 41 years old and her place of residence is Toronto, Ontario.
| Organization |
Position |
Status |
| NOVICA United, Inc. |
Chairman |
Current |
| Cinemanow, Inc. |
Vice Chairman |
Current |
| Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. |
Board of Directors |
Current |
| Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. |
Vice Chairman |
Current |
| Watchmusichere |
Vice Chairman |
Current |
| Hollywood Stock Exchange |
Cofounder |
Former |
| Ignite! Entertainment |
Chairman |
Former |
| Arizona State University |
B.S. |
Former |
Morley Koffman, Q.C. Mr. Koffman has been a director since November 1997 and is a member of our Audit Committee and Chairman of our Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee. Mr. Koffman is a lawyer with the firm of Koffman Kalef LLP, where he has practiced since 1993. Mr. Koffman is a director and the Chairman of the Corporate Governance Committee of Ainsworth Lumber Co. Ltd., a public company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange. Mr. Koffman is 78 years old and his place of residence is Vancouver, British Columbia.
Norman Bacal. Mr. Bacal became a director in December 2004. Mr. Bacal has been a partner with the law firm of Heenan Blaikie LLP since 1987, and has been co-managing partner of the firm since 1997. Mr. Bacal is 52 years old and his place of residence is Toronto, Ontario.
Executive News
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Gate profit rises on Mandate, TV
Broadcast Newsroom - 8/20/09 - View Story
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Phyllis Yaffe named to Lionsgate board
Hollywood Reporter - 8/18/09 - View Story
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Reports Net Income of $36.3 Million and Adjusted EBITDA of $53.0 Million for First Quarter of Fiscal 2010 Net Income Compares To $3.5 Million In Prior Year's First Quarter; Adjusted EB
Broadcast Newsroom - 8/18/09 - View Story
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TV boosts Lions Gate quarterly earnings
FOX 43 - 8/11/09 - View Story
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UPDATE 2-Lions Gate seals DVD distribution pact with Redbox
Forbes.com - 8/11/09 - View Story
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Lions Gate seals DVD distribution pact with Redbox (Reuters)
Yahoo! News - 8/11/09 - View Story
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UPDATE 2-Lions Gate seals DVD distribution pact with Redbox
CNBC - 8/11/09 - View Story
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Lions Gate seals DVD distribution pact with Redbox
Reuters - 8/11/09 - View Story
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Lions Gate profit rises on Mandate, TV
Broadcast Newsroom - 8/10/09 - View Story
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Television delivers strong quarter for Lions Gate
Los Angeles Times - 8/10/09 - View Story
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Lions Gate Entertainment Q1 Profit Rises
TradingMarkets - 8/10/09 - View Story
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UPDATE 2-Lions Gate Q1 profit rises on Mandate, TV
Reuters - 8/10/09 - View Story
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Lions Gate earns $36.34-million in Q2 2009
Stockwatch - 8/10/09 - View Story
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Lionsgate Reports Net Income of $36.3 Million and Adjusted EBITDA of $53.0 Million for First Quarter of Fiscal 2010
PR Newswire via Yahoo! - 8/10/09 - View Story
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Lions Gate nominates biggest shareholder to board
Los Angeles Times - 7/10/09 - View Story
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Lions Gate to nominate Rachesky to board
Reuters - 7/09/09 - View Story
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UPDATE 2-Lions Gate to nominate Rachesky to board
Reuters - 7/09/09 - View Story
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Lionsgate to Name Mark H. Rachesky, M.D., to Board of Directors Slate
TradingMarkets - 7/09/09 - View Story
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Uranium Star Establishes Special Advisory Committee for Emerging World-Class Vanadium Project in Madagascar
PR Newswire - 6/29/09 - View Story
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Uranium Star Establishes Special Advisory Committee for Emerging World-Class Vanadium Project in Madagascar
Canada NewsWire - 6/29/09 - View Story