Santa Monica-based Lionsgate on Friday named Brian Goldsmith as Co-Chief Operating Officer.
Goldsmith will spearhead Lionsgate’s corporate development activities, growing platform of channels, and digital initiatives.
He joins co-COO Steve Beeks in reporting to Lionsgate Chief Executive Officer Jon Feltheimer on corporate management issues and will also continue to work closely with Vice Chairman Michael Burns and General Counsel Wayne Levin on M&A activities and initiatives related to the Company’s capital structure, including significant corporate and project financings.
Goldsmith played a key role in arranging Lionsgate’s recently closed $800 million revolving credit facility as well as the Company’s October 2011 secondary equity offering and its two high yield debt offerings.
He was instrumental in the Company’s January 2012 acquisition of Summit Entertainment, the August 2011 sale of Canadian distributor Maple Pictures to Alliance Films and the February 2009 acquisition of TV Guide Network and TVGuide.com.
He has also played a significant role in overseeing Lionsgate’s partnerships with Viacom and MGM in the Epix channel, Sony and Comcast in the FEARnet Channel and the launch of Celestial Tiger Entertainment in Asia with partners Saban Capital Group and Astro’s Celestial Pictures.
“Brian played a leadership role in many of the initiatives that made 2012 a transformative year for us,” said Feltheimer and Burns. “His management of our channel partnerships, digital platforms and joint ventures will be a key ingredient of our continued growth. He will also continue to help set in place a capital structure that supports our profitable long-term growth while reducing debt and interest expense.”
