NEWS

WIRES

OTHER

Sony Pictures Entertainment Promotes Andrew Gumpert to President, Business Affairs and Administration for Columbia Pictures

As President of Business Affairs and Administration forColumbia, Gumpert will work closely with Columbia Presidents Matt Tolmach and Doug Belgrad. He will not only oversee deal negotiations and administration for the studio, but will be integrally involved in the budgeting and financing aspects of all of Columbia's theatrical releases. In this position, Gumpert will also work closely with Peter Schlessel, President of Worldwide Affairs for Sony Pictures Entertainment.

"Andrew has consistently demonstrated strong leadership in addition to his savvy negotiating skills throughout his rise at Columbia," said Michael Lynton. "With this promotion, Andrew will play an even more central role in driving our theatrical business and continuing the studio's outstanding track record."

"Our relationships with on-screen and behind-the-camera talent alike are the lifeblood of our business - the business of storytelling," said Amy Pascal. "Andrew's deal-making expertise is a great complement to the leadership Matt and Doug have brought to managing Columbia Pictures and building our upcoming slate."

In his four years withColumbia, Gumpert has been actively involved in negotiations surrounding many of the studio's top productions including: "Quantum of Solace," "Hancock," "Casino Royale," "The Da Vinci Code," "Spider-Man 3," "Superbad" and the upcoming "Seven Pounds," among others.

"I am grateful to be able to work with such an incredibly talented, successful and well-respected management team," said Gumpert. "This is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity."

Prior to returning Sony Pictures Entertainment in 2005, Gumpert led Business and Legal Affairs for Miramax's Dimension Films division for seven years. This position was preceded by Gumpert's first tenure atColumbia in the legal department in 1995. Gumpert began his career as a business litigator with the law firm Hill, Wynne, Troop and Meisinger.

About Sony Pictures Entertainment

Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America (SCA), a subsidiary ofTokyo-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 more than 100 countries. Sony Pictures Entertainment can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.sonypictures.com.

    Contact:

    Steve Elzer
    Steve_Elzer@spe.sony.com
    (310) 244-7142

SOURCE Columbia Pictures