Gaumont Television Appoints MarVista Alum Vanessa Shapiro

PARIS/LOS ANGELES: Vanessa Shapiro, a former MarVista Entertainment exec, has been hired by Gaumont Television as president of worldwide distribution, based in Los Angeles.

In her new role, Shapiro will work directly under Christophe Riandee, vice CEO of Gaumont, and will divide her time between Los Angeles and Paris. She will oversee the global sales and distribution of Gaumont Television’s entire catalog, including its drama, animation and French programming. She will manage new and existing business development, all sales, presales and co-productions, while also handling the company’s marketing needs.

Shapiro will collaborate with Gene Stein, the president of Gaumont Television U.S.; Nicolas Atlan, the president of Gaumont Animation; and Isabelle DeGeorges, the senior VP for France. Elizabeth Dreyer, the senior VP of European co-productions, and VPs of international distribution Hana Zidek and Nicola Andrews will now report to her.

Previously, Shapiro had been serving as MarVista’s executive VP of distribution since 2007. Earlier in her career, she worked for Sony Pictures Entertainment.

Riandee said: “Given all of our recent activity on both the drama and animated fronts, coupled with the fact that Gene and Nicolas are both in Los Angeles, we decided to move our sales and distribution from London to Los Angeles. Vanessa is the perfect hire for this position given her outstanding track record and 20-plus years of experience, her solid and longstanding relationships around the world, and her strong financial background.”