Doug Belgrad to lead Sony motion picture group

Belgrad reports to SPE co-chairman and SPE motion picture group chairman Amy Pascal and becomes her second-in-command.

In his new role, Belgrad will integrate creative decision-making with business and financial planning across all of the motion picture group labels.

The role will entail dealing with a recent influx of big-name executives such as ex-Fox head Tom Rothman who is now in charge of TriStar Productions and Warner Bros emigré Jeff Robinov, busy setting up his Studio 8 at Sony.

Belgrad will oversee local-language production operations and assume additional responsibilities in business affairs and music.

He will continue to serve as president of Columbia Pictures. Columbia presidents of production Mike DeLuca and Hannah Minghella and president of physical production Andy Davis will continue to report to him.

Belgrad joined Sony Pictures in 1989. He climbed to co-president of production at Columbia Pictures in 2003, becoming president in 2008.

He has bought, developed and supervised such titles as the Men In Black franchise, Hitch, Hancock, every Adam Sandler film at Columbia, The Karate Kid, American Hustle, Captain Phillips, Zero Dark Thirty, Bad Teacher and Heaven is for Real, among others.

“Doug is an outstanding leader with a deep understanding of the motion picture business,” said Pascal. “He has a rare combination of taste, relationships, experience and business judgment.”

“I have been blessed with an exciting and productive career at Sony Pictures,” said Belgrad.  “We have an incredible team here and I couldn’t be more excited to continue working closely with Amy and everyone in the motion picture group as we further collaborate across all of our labels.”