by Robbie Lezama
2700 Colorado Ave., Ste. 200
Santa Monica, CA 90404
Telephone (310) 449-9200
Facsimile (310) 255-3870
http://www.lionsgate.com/
Brief Overview:
One of the Liongate’s most profitable subsidiaries, Lionsgate Films continues to compete in the film industry as a “mini-major” studio, producing hits like The Hunger Games and distributing the infectious Twilight series. While Lionsgate Entertainment also focuses on the production and distribution of television, family/home entertainment, on demand and digital content, we know Lionsgate mainly for the films. Noteabley, Lionsgate Films also owns Summit Entertainment, which produced Twilight, and 43% of the production studio Roadside Attractions.
Twilight and The Hunger Games
When people in the film industry think of Lionsgate, they think of The Hunger Games and the Twilight Series. The Hunger games grossed about $68.3 million after it came to theaters on March 23, 2012. Subsequently, its first weekend barreled through and came out with $152.5 million. This became Lion gate’s highest grossing film in just one weekend. The Twilight series has become attracted a global fan base and continues to sell both in and out of theaters. The last installation of the series was released in theaters November 12, 2012. Lions Gate’s timely acquisition of Summit Entertainment aided in the studio’s continual success.
Executives
Jon Feltheimer
CEO Lions Gate Entertainment:
Jon is the Chief Executive Officer of Lions Gate Entertainment and has held that position since 2000. Feltheimer’s has led Lionsgate to grow into the leading American independent filmed entertainment studio.Before joining Lionsgate, Mr. Feltheimer spent nine years at Sony Pictures Entertainment, where he served as head of the Columbia TriStar Television Group and head of Sony Entertainment Television.
Patrick Wachsberger
CO-Chairman Lions Gate Films
Patrick Wachsberger is the President and CEO of Summit Entertainment and also serves as a Co-Chairman for Lionsgate Films. Prior to running Summit Entertainment, Wachsberger served as President and CEO of Odyssey Entertainment and Odyssey Distributors, Ltd. Prior to heading Odyssey, Wachsberger was President of J & M Entertainment, one of the industry’s leading foreign sales companies. He served there for 11 years.
Rob Friedman
CO-Chairman Lions Gate Films:
As Co-Chairman of Lionsgate Films, Rob oversees 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.
Financials:
Lionsgate Entertainment:
| Financial Highlights | |
| Fiscal Year End: | March |
| Revenue (2012): | 1587.60 M |
| Revenue Growth (1 yr): | 0.30% |
| Employees (2012): | 607 |
| Employee Growth (1 yr): | 24.90% |
Films like Twilight and Expendables 2, helped the film studio to a $37.8 million in profit for the third quarter. Liongate’s total film revenue was $673.5 millon. This is due to the increased revenue streams of the studio’s home entertainment and theatrical divisions. The studio, “brought Twilight franchise in-house when it bought Summit at the beginning of 2012.” Even after the transaction of $412.5, Lionsgate still made more than $52 million in the quarter.
Current News:
CBS And Lionsgate Enter 50/50 Partnership On Highly Distributed Entertainment Cable Network
On March 26, 2013 CBS and Lionsgate entered a 50/50 partnership for the cable network TVNG and TVGuide.com. Originally, Lionsgate had purchased TV Guide for $255 million in 2009 and sold JP Morgans, One Equity, a %49 share towards the end of that year. In this deal CBS bought their share for $100 millon from One Equity. In the end, this partnership will allow “CBS’s programming, production and marketing assets with Lionsgate’s resources in motion pictures, television and digitally delivered content.”
DVD and Blu-ray Sales for the Fifth Film in The Franchise Increase From Breaking Dawn – Part 1’s Opening Weekend
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2, which came out in stores March 2, had record breaking numbers. Overall the film has grossed $829 million at the box office. The fact that this is the fifth film in the franchise and is the highest grossing, goes to show how powerful the fan following really is. By purchasing Summit Entertainment on Janurary 13, 2012, Lionsgate was able to bank on this last Twilight film which continues to thrive. Blu-ray sales accounted for a about 27% of first weekend sales. This is 22% up of the first weekend sales of Breaking Dawn Part 1.
Whats Next for Lionsgate films?
Temptation
Lionsgate’s most recent release is the film Temptation: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor starring, Jurnee Smollett-Bell, Vanessa Williams and Brandy Norwood.The film follows a married woman and her temptation for a charming billionaire, which only leads to betrayal and recklessness.
The Big Wedding
In theaters April 26, The Big Wedding follows a long divorced couple that fakes being married as their family unites for a wedding. The movie will star Robert De Niro, Diane Keaton and Katherine Heigl.
Peeples
Coming to theaters May 10, the film, Peeples, covers the story of “regular guy” crashing a “preppy” family reunion only to ask for their daughter’s hand. This comedy will star Craig Robinson, Kerry Washington and David Alan Grier.
You’re Next (In theaters August 23)
This thriller follows a family away for a reunion as they come under attack during their wedding anniversary. With a surprising twist and shocking visuals, Youre Next will deliver. The film will star Sharni Vinson, Joe Swanberg and AJ Bowen.
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire In theaters November 22
As one of Lionsgate’s more anticipated films, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, which is in theaters Novemeber 22, will surely deliver. In this sequel, starring Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth, two previous winners, Katniss and Peeta, are dethroned from the victories and are put back in to the arena. This second installation in the Hunger Games “trilogy”, will surely bring a massive first weekend at the box office.
Works Cited:
http://www.ctam.com/html/summit/bios/feltheimer.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jon_Feltheimer
http://www.filmbug.com/db/343434
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rob_Friedman#cite_note-1
http://markets.on.nytimes.com/research/stocks/fundamentals/fundamentals.asp?symbol=LGF
http://markets.on.nytimes.com/research/stocks/tools/analysis_tools.asp?symbol=LGF
http://investors.lionsgate.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=62796&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1792214&highlight=
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2070862/
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1931435/
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1951264/