Fox Ups Paul Hanneman, Tomas Jegeus To Run Global Marketing & Distribution

BREAKING: 20th Century Fox Film has restructured its marketing operations into a worldwide unit, promoting Paul Hanneman and Tomas Jegeus to co-Presidents of Worldwide Theatrical Marketing & Distribution. Under the new structure, both the domestic and international marketing and distribution teams will report to Jegeus and Hanneman. They begin their new roles immediately. This comes after Fox let Oren Aviv go as marketing chief. According to the studio, the move was made to embrace the idea of film as a global game and create cohesion between domestic and offshore campaigns.

There is no mention here of whether Fox is done making moves, and rumors continue to race that the studio could be the next landing place for Jeff Robinov, who left Warner Bros recently. Some say he won’t land until January, and I’ve heard there is question of whether he would report to Jim Gianopulos, the well-regarded Fox Film chairman/CEO who has been running the studio solo since the exit of Tom Rothman and likely doesn’t want another partnrr. Robinov went out on a good note with Man Of Steel, and looks better than ever given the success of his passion project Gravity from Alfonso Cuaron, which has turned out to be the sleeper hit of the fall. But his exit was considered contentious, and I’ve heard it has colored opinions at Fox. I’ve heard Rupert Murdoch is determined to get him—even if it is as a producer with money behind him–but all of this continues to be loose talk, until it isn’t.

Related: Exclusive: Oren Aviv Exited At 20th Century Fox

As for the marketing restructure, Gianopulos said: “Our industry is more global than ever before. Paul and Tomas have proven success in the global arena, having run the industry’s most successful international operations, and coupled with our excellent domestic team, they will reshape our worldwide marketing and distribution strategies for the future.” Both will report to Gianopulos.

Fox also confirmed the exit of Aviv as Chief Marketing Officer for the domestic division. The studio indicated Aviv will announce his next move shortly. (more…)