Sony Pictures Television distribution and networks co-president Mike Wald is retiring after 32 years with the company, the studio was set to announce Thursday morning. The news comes as Sony Pictures’ TV exec VP of North America Distribution Flory Bramnick also recently announced her departure.
“I have had the distinct privilege of working closely with Mike and Flory for many years, and it is hard to overstate the impact they have had on our business and the people around them,” Sony Pictures TV chairman Keith Le Goy said in a memo to staff. As part of the changeover, Le Goy also revealed a new structure for its distribution and networks unit.
Among the changes: Jason Spivak and Paul Littmann have been named presidents of distribution and networks. Spivak was previously co-president of distribution and networks, while Littmann was most recently executive VP of global distribution for Sony Pictures TV. They’ll both report to Le Goy.
“Jason and Paul know our business, our content and our partners incredibly well and they bring the experience, ambition and judgment to continue driving the organization forward,” Le Goy said in a memo to staff. “I am excited about what they will accomplish together.”
Also, Mark Young will serve as head of international. He had already overseen EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa), he’ll now also include LATAM (Latin America) and APAC (Asia-Pacific). Young will report to Spivak and Littmann. And as Variety previously reported, Monica Veiga now oversees North America as exec VP of distribution, North America, with Bramnick’s exit.
With the changes, Sony Pictures TV is also expanding its interest in distribution for YouTube, FAST channels, digital platforms and other platforms. The studio will hire a leader to oversee its YouTube and digital platforms business, reporting to Spivak and Littmann.
“We have strong momentum across the business, including in areas with significant potential for continued growth such as YouTube, FAST, digital platforms and other performance-based models,” LeGoy added in his memo. “Our independence gives us a unique advantage in pursuing these opportunities, with the flexibility to move quickly, work across virtually every major platform and market and continually find new ways to maximize the value and reach of our content.”
As for Wald, the exec’s career included roles across the U.S., Asia and Europe. In Asia, he helped launch AXN Asia and SET India; later, he led distribution across Europe, the Middle East and Africa and then took on more global responsibilities.
Here is Le Goy’s memo to staff:
Team,
I want to update you on some important changes within our Distribution & Networks organization.
After 32 years with Sony Pictures Television, Mike Wald has decided to retire at the end of this year. It is with mixed emotions that I announce his decision, which follows the news we shared earlier this month that Flory Bramnick will be stepping away after 24 years with the company. I have had the distinct privilege of working closely with Mike and Flory for many years, and it is hard to overstate the impact they have had on our business and the people around them.
Mike’s career at Sony has quite literally spanned the globe. He began in corporate development, working in both Culver City and Hong Kong during a period of significant growth across Asia’s entertainment markets. He helped cultivate some of our earliest relationships in the region and was part of the team that developed and launched AXN Asia and SET India. Mike later returned to Los Angeles as a key leader on our global pay television team before going on to lead our distribution business across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. He ultimately took on broader global leadership responsibilities, bringing a deep understanding of the marketplace, trusted relationships with partners and steady judgment that have been invaluable as our industry has transformed — all while never losing his unique sense of humor.
Flory has also been instrumental in building and shaping our business in North America. Since joining Sony in strategic sales in 2002, she has consistently been ahead of where the marketplace is going — ultimately leading the distribution of our film and television content across platforms in the U.S. and Canada. Throughout it all, she has continually found new ways to expand the reach and value of our content and build strong, enduring partnerships with our key customers.
Beyond their many accomplishments, Mike and Flory have been generous colleagues, trusted partners and mentors to so many people across Sony. They have helped develop the next generation of leaders, and their influence will be felt here for many years to come.
While we are very sad to see them go, I am incredibly optimistic about what lies ahead for our Distribution & Networks business. We have tremendous depth and experience across our leadership team, and I’m delighted to announce that Jason Spivak and Paul Littmann will jointly lead the organization as Presidents of Distribution & Networks, reporting directly to me. Jason and Paul know our business, our content and our partners incredibly well and they bring the experience, ambition and judgment to continue driving the organization forward. I am excited about what they will accomplish together.
Reporting to Jason and Paul, Mark Young will take on the role of EVP, Head of International, expanding his current oversight of EMEA to include LATAM and APAC, with the leadership in those regions reporting to him. Monica Veiga, EVP, TV Distribution, North America, will expand her responsibilities to include the broader North America business.
We have strong momentum across the business, including in areas with significant potential for continued growth such as YouTube, FAST, digital platforms and other performance-based models. Our independence gives us a unique advantage in pursuing these opportunities, with the flexibility to move quickly, work across virtually every major platform and market and continually find new ways to maximize the value and reach of our content.
We are exceptionally well positioned for continued success. We have extraordinary content, deep relationships across the marketplace and, most importantly, a remarkable team that knows how to turn those strengths into growth. Our business moves fast; we will move faster.
Please join me in thanking Mike and Flory for their extraordinary contributions to Sony Pictures Television, and in congratulating Jason, Paul, Mark and Monica on their new roles.
Keith
Leave a Reply