Marvel Studios Names Douglas Finberg EVP International Marketing
April 16th, 2009 Leave a comment Visited 33 times, 1 so far today
Douglas Finberg has been named Executive Vice President International Marketing of Marvel Studios, the Hollywood subsidiary of Marvel Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: MVL). In his new role, Finberg will be responsible for developing and overseeing the worldwide marketing campaigns for the studio’s slate of upcoming films, including IRON MAN 2 (May 7, 2010), THOR (May 20, 2011), THE FIRST AVENGER: CAPTAIN AMERICA (July 22, 2011) and THE AVENGERS (May 4, 2012). Finberg joins Marvel from Paramount Pictures where he served as Senior Vice President International Marketing for Paramount Pictures International (PPI). The announcement was made today by Kevin Feige, President of Marvel Studios and Tim Connors, COO of Marvel Studios. Finberg will report to Feige and Connors.
In September 2008, Marvel Studios signed an agreement for Paramount to distribute five Marvel-produced feature films on a worldwide basis, with Tele Munchen distributing IRON MAN 2 in Germany and Austria. Marvel Studios plans to tap Finberg’s experience establishing international marketing campaigns, systems and programs while broadening the reach of its releases on a worldwide basis. Finberg will work closely with the Paramount marketing and publicity teams to optimize the return on investment from creative, interactive, media, publicity and strategic campaigns for Marvel Studios’ theatrical and home entertainment releases.
“Doug’s strong international experience in establishing entertainment franchises, coupled with his first-hand knowledge of Paramount’s marketing and distribution operations, will be of enormous benefit to Marvel as we bring our films to the global marketplace,” said Feige. Finberg stated: “In just a short time, Marvel Studios has been established as a premier film studio for blockbuster entertainment. I’m looking forward to being part of that continued success and leveraging the Marvel characters’ strength on a worldwide basis.”
Finberg held his role at Paramount Pictures International since February 2006. As the most senior executive on PPI’s Los Angeles team, Finberg’s primary focus included working with DreamWorks Animation SKG on such films as SHREK THE THIRD, KUNG FU PANDA, MADAGASCAR 2 and MONSTERS VS. ALIENS. Finberg also worked on live-action pictures including MISSION IMPOSSIBLE 3, TRANSFORMERS, IRON MAN, EAGLE EYE and INDIANA JONES 4.
Before joining Paramount Pictures International, Finberg was part of DreamWorks SKG, where he helped launch the company’s international theatrical division. At the beginning of his film career, he worked with Universal and MGM/UA and was also with LucasFilm Ltd.
About Marvel
Marvel Entertainment, Inc. is one of the world’s most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of over 5,000 characters featured in a variety of media over seventy years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in licensing, entertainment (via Marvel Studios and Marvel Animation) and publishing (via Marvel Comics). Marvel’s strategy is to leverage its franchises in a growing array of opportunities around the world, including feature films, consumer products, toys, video games, animated television, direct-to-DVD and online. For more information visit www.marvel.com
Except for any historical information that they contain, the statements in this news release regarding Marvel’s plans are forward-looking statements that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including exposure to the current economic recession, exposure to tightening credit markets, financial difficulties of Marvel’s licensees, a decrease in the level of media exposure or popularity of Marvel’s characters, changing consumer preferences, delays and cancellations of movies and television productions based on Marvel characters, and concentration of Marvel’s toy licensing with one licensee. In addition, the following factors, among others, could cause the financial performance of Marvel’s film production operations to differ materially from that expressed in any forward-looking statements: (i) Marvel Studios’ potential inability to attract and retain creative talent, (ii) key film talent’s potentially becoming incapacitated or suffering reputational damage, (iii) the potential lack of popularity of Marvel’s films, (iv) the expense associated with producing films, (v) union activity or other events which could interrupt film production, including strikes by Hollywood writers, directors and actors, (vi) changes or disruptions in the way films are distributed, including a decline in the DVD market, (vii) piracy of films and related products, (viii) Marvel Studios’ dependence on a single distributor for its self-produced films, (ix) that Marvel will depend on its film distributors for information related to the accounting of film-production activities, (x) Marvel’s potential inability to meet the conditions necessary for an initial funding of a film under Marvel’s $525 million film slate facility, (xi) Marvel’s potential inability to obtain financing to make more than four films if an interim asset test related to the economic performance of the film slate is not satisfied, (xii) cash flows from our films potentially being insufficient to pay our film facility interest costs, (xiii) fluctuations in reported income or loss related to the accounting of film-production activities and (xiv) a possible default by one of the lending banks in our film facility. These and other risks and uncertainties are described in Marvel’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Marvel’s Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. Marvel assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward looking statements.
Contacts
For Marvel Entertainment, Inc.
Media:
Paul Pflug / Melissa Zukerman, 323-658-1555
paul {at} pcommgroup(.)com
melissa {at} pcommgroup(.)com
or
Investor Relations:
Jaffoni & Collins
David Collins / Richard Land, 212-835-8500
mvl {at} jcir(.)com
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