The CEO of the new distributor announced today [13] that Jason Cassidy becomes president of marketing, Elliott Kleinberg general counsel and evp of operations and business affairs, Steven Andriuzzo CFO and Ben Cotner svp of acquisitions.

AMC Entertainment and Regal Entertainment Group founded the acquisition-based domestic theatrical distribution company earlier in the year and the principals aim to release eight to 10 films a year. The company will give the two exhibition giants greater control in assembling slates and is particularly timely given the recent furore over the move by Warner Bros, Fox, Universal and Sony to back premium VOD.

“This group of talented professionals brings an impressive breadth of experience to our new venture and will allow us to hit the ground running,” Ortenberg (pictured) said. “Jason Cassidy is the perfect candidate to help us build new marketing models and convert consumer intent into theatrical attendance.

“Elliott Kleinberg has a terrific understanding of the motion picture business that will aid us in building relationships between Open Road and the rest of the entertainment community.

“Steven Andriuzzo’s expertise in motion picture finance and home entertainment specifically will be of great benefit to us. Additionally, we are fortunate to have been able to attract a rising star in the acquisition community, Ben Cotner, to help us identify and attract the kinds of movies we are looking for as we build Open Road Films.”

“I am absolutely thrilled to join Tom and the rest of the Open Road team at the outset of this innovative venture,” Cassidy said. “The sky is the limit and I’m truly excited to be part of a new distribution model.”

Cassidy most recently served as evp of worldwide marketing at Miramax and started his career at October Films. Kleinberg served as COO of United Artists and prior to that was a partner at the law firm Kleinberg Lopez Lange Cuddy Edel & Klein. 

Andriuzzo joins Open Road Films from Paramount Pictures, where he served as svp of planning and finance for the domestic home entertainment division and before that he served several years as head of corporate finance and motion picture group controller at DreamWorks. He also played a key financial role in IPO of DreamWorks Animation. 

Cotner previously served as executive director of acquisitions and co-productions at Paramount Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions Group.

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