Rob Friedman (born 1950) is an American media executive.
Rob Friedman | |
|---|---|
 Rob Friedman, 2012 | |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Entertainment media executive |
| Known for | Co-Chairman of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group |
He was the Co-Chairman of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, overseeing all aspects of Lionsgate’s domestic and international feature film acquisition, production and distribution as well as the home entertainment releases of theatrical feature films.[1] He stepped down in 2016.[2] Friedman joined Lionsgate in January 2012 following the company’s acquisition of the worldwide filmed entertainment studio Summit Entertainment[3] where he served as the Co-Chairman and CEO since 2007.[4]
Friedman started his career in 1970 in the mailroom at Warner Bros. Studios and in the subsequent 27 years he held many posts ultimately rising to become the studio's President of Worldwide Advertising and Publicity.[5]
In 1997, Friedman moved to Paramount Pictures as Vice Chairman of the Paramount Motion Pictures Group. In 2000, he also added the role Chief Operating Officer, ultimately overseeing seven divisions.[6] He created the studio's specialty film division then known as Paramount Classics.[7] Friedman also served on the Board of Directors of UIP, the joint international distribution venture between Paramount and Universal Studios, and Movie Link, one of the internet's first legal film download to view sites.[8]
In 2017, Friedman joined Tang Media Partners as CEO and chairman of TMP Entertainment.[9] TMP's entertainment holdings merged to become Global Road Entertainment and Friedman became Chairman and CEO of the Global Road Entertainment studio.[10] He left these positions in November 2018.[10]
He is a member of the Wilshire Boulevard Temple.[11] He was a prominent supporter of Hillary Clinton in her 2016 presidential campaign.[12]
Professional honors and awards edit
In November 2010, Friedman was named the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year in the Media, Entertainment and Communications category for his work in creating Summit.[13]
Friedman is on the Board of Directors of the Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Foundation[14] and a supporter of the Special Olympics movement, having served on the Special Olympics Southern California Board (SOSC) as well as the international Board of Directors for the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games.[15]
Friedman is a Founding Member of the 2015 Special Olympics World Summer Games Organizing Committee for which he currently serves as Chairman of the Board and played a role in bringing the 2015 World Games to Los Angeles.[16] In 2011, Friedman was selected by SOSC as the Honoree at the 15th annual Pier Del Sol.[17]
Friedman is a member of the Board of Governors of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences.[18]
References edit
- ^ Finke, Nikki (January 19, 2012). "Rob Friedman & Patrick Wachsberger Sign Lionsgate Employment Contracts; Joe Drake Stays To Run 'The Hunger Games'". Deadline.
- ^ Busch, Anthony D'Alessandro,Anita (2016-09-16). "Rob Friedman Stepping Down As Co-Chair Lionsgate; Will Serve As Special Advisor To CEO". Deadline. Retrieved 2018-04-12.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Fritz, Ben (January 14, 2012). "Lions Gate to acquire Summit". Los Angeles Times.
- ^ Swanson, Tim (April 19, 2007). "Summit Entertainment's $1 Billion Deal". Portfolio.
- ^ "Record Summer for Movies". Associated Press. September 6, 1989.
- ^ Dunkley, Cathy (January 13, 2002). "Par pumps exec duet". Variety.
- ^ McNary, Dave (July 12, 2005). "Par's Grey area". Variety.
- ^ Petrikin, Chris (October 14, 1999). "U, Par extend UIP pact". Variety.
- ^ Faughnder, Ryan (8 August 2017). "Former Lionsgate film executive Rob Friedman joins Tang Media". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2019-05-07.
- ^ a b "Global Road CEO Rob Friedman to Exit Studio". www.thewrap.com. 9 November 2018. Retrieved 2019-05-07.
- ^ Hollywood Reporter: "Hollywood's Hottest $150 Million Project Is an 83-Year-Old Synagogue - Studio heads, agency chieftains and top producers have come together, "Avengers"-style, to save their iconic but decaying Wilshire Boulevard Temple -- an A-list house of worship far from the Westside" by Gary Baum May 30, 2012
- ^ Variety: "Hillary Clinton Returning to L.A. for Rob Friedman-Hosted Fundraiser" by Ted Johnson August 25, 2015
- ^ "Robert Friedman, 2010 EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Media, Entertainment & Communications winner". Ernst & Young YouTube. Retrieved November 14, 2010.
- ^ "Board of Directors - Advisory Members". Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Foundation.
- ^ Cohn, Beverly. "Special Olympics Holding its 15th Annual Pier del Sol Event". Splash Magazine.
- ^ "Games Organizing Committee". 2015 Special Olympics World Summer Games.
- ^ "Pier del Sol Viva la Fiesta".
- ^ Stringer, Mike. "The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Introduces Four New Governors". A&E Playground. Retrieved June 27, 2011.