Lionsgate to Staff Up Hong Kong-Based Sales Team

SANTA MONICA: Lionsgate Television International is restructuring its Asian distribution business, with plans to boost its presence in Hong Kong and scale back its Australian operation, resulting in the departure of regional sales chief Tim Stuart.

Stuart, the VP of Asia-Pacific sales who had been operating out of Australia, left the independent studio last week. “It was a tough decision but I have firm family commitments in Australia," Stuart said. "I am pleased to have spent four years building the Australasian base for Lionsgate and look forward to my next phase of business here in Sydney.”

Lionsgate plans to hire a Hong Kong-based senior distribution executive within the coming months. Until then, Wendy Reeds, VP of international and home-entertainment sales, will manage distribution to Japan and South Korea, while Hong Kong-based Jenny Suen, sales director, will oversee the rest of continental Asia. Amanda Cordner, VP of international, will handle sales to Australia and New Zealand.

Peter Iacono, who heads Lionsgate International, commented, “We thank Tim Stuart for his valuable contributions during his tenure at Lionsgate and look forward to being closer to our clients in Asia from our base in Hong Kong. Regretfully, Tim Stuart will not make the move. Tim has created a strong base for us in the region. We thank him, and we will miss his expertise.”