MUMBAI: Paramount Pictures has appointed Gerry Rich as the new president, Worldwide motion picture marketing. As announced by the Paramount Pictures chief operating officer and Motion Picture Group's vice chairman Rob Friedman, Rich will fill in the position vacated by Arthur Cohen in September 2003.
Cohen, after resigned from the post, is on board as a consultant for Paramount.
In his new position, Rich will be looking after all aspects of domestic and international marketing for Paramount Pictures theatrical releases. He will report to Rob Friedman, says a company release.
Says Friedman, "Gerry is an extraordinarily talented and creative marketing executive who has a long history of success. I am happy to welcome him to Paramount."
"I am thrilled for the opportunity to be part of a studio with such a rich history that's poised for incredible success. It's an exciting time to come on board," offered Rich.
An old hat at marketing, Rich's marketting career includes a stint at MGM/UA. While he joined, in 1993, as executive vice president marketing, he was promoted to president of Worldwide marketing for MGM/UA in 1995. During his tenure at MGM/UA Rich's marketing team revitalized the James Bond franchise for the 90's with GoldenEye, The World is Not Enough and Die Another Day. He also lead innovative interactive marketing campaigns on the genre films Stargate and Species as well as the campaigns on The Birdcage, Get Shorty, Legally Blonde and Hannibal, says the release.
As United Artists' co-president, in 1999, Rich along with Larry Gleason oversaw UA's production, co-productions and acquisitions. During this time he shepherded films like Ghost World and Jeepers Creepers.
Prior to MGM, he worked with Miramax, from 1991 to 1993, as head of marketing. He lead the marketing campaigns on a diverse slate of films such as The Crying Game, Reservoir Dogs, The Piano and Like Water for Chocolate.
A three time winner of "Excellence in Film Marketing" award, Rich has also served as a senior marketing advisor to Miramax working on the campaigns for the films Chicago, Gangs of New York, Kill Bill and Cold Mountain.
