Andrew Karpen is staffing up his New York-based distributor and has hired a quartet of former Focus Features executives including new president of distribution Jack Foley.
Myles Bender arrives as president of marketing and creative advertising; Tyler DiNapoli as president of marketing, media and research; and Kent Sanderson as president of acquisitions and ancillary distribution.
Foley has been in distribution for more than 30 years and led distribution at USA Films, October Films and MGM before his appointment as president of distribution at Focus Features.
He has held senior posts at Miramax and Columbia Pictures and worked on the likes of Brokeback Mountain, The Pianist, Pulp Fiction and Thelma And Louise.
Bender began his career at Gramercy Pictures and USA Films and has worked on Being John Malkovich and The Big Lebowski. He served at Focus as svp of creative advertising and marketing, working on Lost In Translation and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, among others.
DiNapoli oversaw marketing for the Bow Tie Cinemas and at Focus worked on such films as Atonement and Dallas Buyers Club.
Sanderson previously served as evp of distribution and merchandising at Amplify, where he managed ancillary channels and played a key role in acquiring The Zero Theorem and The Better Angels. Prior to Amplify he worked at Focus Features in acquisitions and helped guide the digital distribution strategy.
“I’m thrilled to be working with some of the most talented people in the film industry,” said CEO Karpen. “Jack, Myles, Tyler and Kent each bring different skills and abilities to the table, but they all share my love of great films.”
RJ Millard handles corporate and film publicity responsibilities through his Obscured Pictures and among other posts also previously worked at Focus, where he served as vp of publicity.
The team will work on Bleecker Street’s previously announced titles from producer Shivani Rawat’s ShivHans Pictures including Danny Collins, Captain Fantastic and Trumbo.
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