Rory Bruer Named President, Worldwide Distribution

In a move that consolidates Sony Pictures' worldwide theatrical distribution activities under one roof, Rory Bruer has been promoted to president of worldwide distribution, it was announced today by Jeff Blake, Chairman of Sony Pictures Worldwide Marketing & Distribution.

As part of the consolidation, Mark Zucker has been named president of Sony Pictures Releasing International. The moves finalizes Blake's long-term goal to integrate the studio's marketing and distribution divisions on a global basis. Last year, Blake completed the merger of the studio's worldwide marketing operations.

The promotions recognize the key contributions of Bruer, who has served as president of Sony Pictures Releasing since 2002, and Zucker, who has served as President of Distribution for SPRI since 2006. As part of the streamlined consolidation of the division, Zucker will oversee SPRI reporting to Bruer and Bruer will continue to report to Blake.

"Sony was among the first studios to globalize its marketing division and I have long believed that by taking the next step and unifying our distribution operation under one roof worldwide, we could be even more efficient and productive," said Blake. "Our sales executives are the best in the industry. Rory and Mark have earned the trust and respect of filmmakers and exhibitors all over the world and they have helped build Sony Pictures into a first class distribution operation. We couldn't be in better hands as we launch our highly anticipated 2009 slate."

Upcoming films from Sony Pictures Releasing include such titles as Taking of Pelham 123, starring Denzel Washington and John Travolta, Roland Emmerich's 2012, Julie & Julia, starring Meryl Streep and Amy Adams, Pink Panther 2, starring Steve Martin, Paul Blart: Mall Cop, starring Kevin James, The International, starring Clive Owen, The Ugly Truth, starring Katherine Heigl and Gerard Butler, and Angels & Demons, starring Tom Hanks.

Bruer has been with Sony and its related companies for more than 25 years. As President of Sony Pictures Releasing, he has been responsible for overseeing domestic sales for all of the studio's releases including some of the most successful titles in Sony Pictures history: Spider-Man, 1,2 & 3, The DaVinci Code, Casino Royale, Hancock, Quantum of Solace, Men in Black 2, Hitch, and countless others. Since becoming president of the division, Bruer has been the distribution executive who has overseen the launch of more than 50 #1 hits since 2002.

Bruer also served as Executive Vice President of the company and Vice President for the Western Division. He spent 8 years in various sales positions for Columbia Pictures and another 9 years at TriStar. He joined Sony Pictures Releasing in 1994. Bruer has been active in charity and philanthropic work his entire career. In January of 2005, he was named President of the Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Foundation and in January 2007 he became Chairman.

Zucker was named President, Distribution for Sony Pictures Releasing International in 2006. He has been responsible for managing and overseeing the international distribution of films for all the Sony labels including Columbia Pictures, Screen Gems and Sony Pictures Classics.

A veteran of three decades in the motion picture industry, Zucker was previously Senior Executive Vice President of Sony Pictures Releasing International from 2001-2006 and prior to that Executive Vice President, Worldwide Distribution for Columbia Pictures for a year. From 1996-1999, he was Executive Vice President, Domestic Distribution for Sony Pictures Releasing. From 1994-1996, he served as Senior Vice President, Operations & Administration. From 1990-1994, he served as Vice President and, subsequently, Senior Vice President, Operations & Administration for Columbia Pictures Domestic Distribution. Zucker began with his association with the company in 1984 as Vice President of Marketing & Distribution Administration for TriStar Pictures, a position he held until 1990 when he was named Vice President, Operations & Administration for Columbia Pictures Distribution, and in 1992, he was elevated to Senior Vice President, Operations & Administration.

Before joining Columbia TriStar, Zucker was Director, Marketing Finance at MGM/UA from 1980-1984. He came to MGM/UA from Paramount Pictures, where he had been Director, Marketing Administration from 1975-1980.

In the years before becoming a part of the entertainment industry, Zucker held financial positions for organized labor and the advertising industry.

In 2003 and 2008, Zucker was honored by his peers as International Distributor of the Year. He is a graduate of Baruch College of The City University of New York from which he received his B.B.A. degree in Statistics.

  Contact:

  Steve Elzer
  Senior Vice President, Media Relations
  Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group
  (310) 244-7142
  steve_elzer@spe.sony.com

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

SOURCE: Sony Pictures

CONTACT: Steve Elzer, Senior Vice President, Media Relations of Columbia
TriStar Motion Picture Group, +1-310-244-7142, steve_elzer@spe.sony.com, for
Sony Pictures