StudioCanal and Lionsgate UK have appointed Kevin Dersley as managing director of joint home entertainment venture Elevation Sales.

Dersley, previously a senior buying manager at Tesco and head of video at Entertainment UK, will take up the role on Jan 21.

The news comes in the week that saw both HMV and Blockbuster entering administration.

Dersley said: “Whilst the industry has its challenges as this week’s sad news has bought into sharp focus, I firmly believe that the future of packaged media remains vibrant and positive, a view that is passionately shared by the teams at Lionsgate and StudioCanal.”

Elevation Sales works in conjunction with both studios to facilitate the sales and distribution of their home entertainment products. The company saw its market share grow from 5.27% in 2011 to 7.47% in 2012.

Upcoming Lionsgate theatrical releases include Arnold Schwarzenegger’s The Last Stand and The Paperboy with Nicole Kidman.

Studiocanal has Michael Winterbottom’s The Look of Love, starring Steve Coogan, and Dan Mazer’s comedy I Give It  A Year.

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