CULVER CITY, Calif., June 27 /PRNewswire/ -- 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."
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. In this role, he also negotiated multi-million dollar offline partnerships with such companies as Max Factor and Borden Foods, and strategic alliances with various online properties including AOL and Barnes-and-Noble.com.
Weinstock graduated from Emory University with a degree in International Relations and a minor in Film Studies.
About 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. Sony Pictures Entertainment can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.sonypictures.com/.
