Sony Shake-Up: Peter Kang Being Elevated to Head of Columbia
The executive ranks at Sony’s movie studio are getting a shake-up, with Peter Kang being promoted to president of production of Columbia Pictures and Josh Greenstein stepping down as president of the Motion Picture Group.
Sony brass officially confirmed the two moves hours after word broke that Greenstein is going to work for David Ellison in a major role once closes its $8 billion merger with Global. Earlier this year, signed a multi-year extension on his contract as the chairman-CEO of ’ Motion Picture Group, signaling that the top job isn’t available as of yet.
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Kang will report to Sanford Panitch, who now becomes the sole president of Sony’s motion picture group, having previously shared the job with Greenstein. Kang joined Sony in 2019 from Lionsgate, where he served as co-president of production. He is a veteran of Paramount and 20th Century, working on projects that include the Planet of the Apes franchise and Gone Girl.
Panitch joined Sony in 2015 and a year later was named the president of Columbia Pictures. In 2019, he was promoted to president of the Motion Picture Group alongside Greenstein. Prior to Sony, he held positions at 20th Century (née Fox) and founded Fox International Productions.
While Greenstein shared creative oversight with Panitch as co-president of the Motion Picture Group, he came from the marketing and distribution side of the aisle initially. In the wake of his departure, Danielle Misher, head of theatrical marketing, and Steven O’Dell, president of international marketing and distribution, will continue to oversee the marketing operation at the Motion Picture Group. The duo will now report directly to Rothman instead of Greenstein.
Also on the marketing side, Nicholas Weiss and Dave Fruchbom have been promoted to co-heads of Global Creative and Strategy, reporting to Misher and working closely with O’Dell on international matters.
And in further changes on the production side in the wake of Kang’s promotion, 35-year Sony veteran Andrea Giannetti has been elevated to EVP, production and senior creative at Columbia Pictures. Kang and Giannetti will continue to report to Panitch.
“We are all sorry to see Josh go. He has been a wonderful colleague for many years, and we wish him the very best,” Rothman said. “The key to a sound organization, however, is to have a strong bench. Our marketing group has that, and I am very pleased to recognize some of our outstanding longtime talent with expanded roles. Dave and Nick are two of the finest creative advertising minds I have encountered in my many years of doing this, and Danielle and Steven provide expert, experienced leadership. I am confident our marketing prowess will only grow.”
Rothman continued, “Likewise, Peter is one of the most skillful and dedicated production executives in all of Hollywood. Sanford and I have worked with him off and on for over 25 years, with great success. I’m sure that Peter will keep the Columbia lady’s torch shining brightly, and that Ange will continue to deliver big hit movies, as she always has. And I know I can count on Sanford to embrace his expanded responsibilities. The depth and breadth of his abilities are unmatched and critical to our success.”
Sony’s upcoming slate includes Darren Aronofsky’s Caught Stealing and Margot Robbie and Colin Farrell’s A Big Bold Beautiful Journey, with new installments in the world for the Spider-Man, Jumanji and 28 Years Later film series.
“I’m thrilled to have someone as accomplished and smart as Peter leading Columbia Pictures,” Panitch said. “And in addition to the pleasure of working with all the many capable executives at each of the divisions I oversee, I feel especially fortunate to collaborate directly with the exceptional Ange Giannetti,” said We have a lot of big event movies moving down our pipeline, so it is a very exciting and promising time at Sony, where we continue to prioritize and prize the theatrical experience.”
July 28, 1 p.m. Updated to include the full roster of Sony’s moves in the marketing group.
A previous version of this story misstated that Sanford Panitch would be receiving a new role at Sony.
