Sony Pictures Television International Promotes Marie Jacobson to Executive Vice President, Programming and Production, International Networks

Sony Pictures Television International Promotes Marie Jacobson to Executive Vice President, Programming and Production, International Networks

CULVER CITY, Calif., April 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Pictures Television International (SPTI) announced today that Marie Jacobson has been promoted to executive vice president, programming and production, international networks. The announcement was made today by Andy Kaplan, president, international networks.

"Marie's extensive background, enthusiasm for her projects and a constant desire for innovation make her a valuable member of our senior management team," said Kaplan. "She has spearheaded programming and production for our channels and recently took on digital programming for SPTI, and I'm thrilled to announce her much-deserved promotion."

Based at SPTI's headquarters in Culver City, California, Jacobson is charged with the overall program strategy of all Sony owned and majority-owned channel investments. She oversees program and format acquisitions, original series production, program development and all program planning for the international networks group. She is responsible for delivering launch strategies for all new network ventures as they pertain to programming as well as sourcing the highest-caliber Sony and third-party programming on offer for the benefit of SPTI's international networks.

As part of her promotion, Jacobson adds oversight of digital programming for SPTI. This includes the management of mobile and digital program development and production, mobile games and the strategic planning and implementation of SPTI's mobile networks. Overseeing the acquisition and deployment of Afterworld, SPTI's first multi-platform content initiative spanning TV, web, wireless and gaming, marks Jacobson's first digital play in her new role.

Besides being responsible for acquiring the rights to many scripted series from both SPTI and other studios for broadcast on SPTI's international networks, Jacobson has led the team responsible for acquiring rights to produce local-language versions of third party formats such as The Amazing Race (AXN Asia), Big Brother (SET India), Pop Idol (SET India and SET Latin America), Yo Soy Betty, La Fea (SET India) and Dancing With The Stars (SET India).

Most recently, Jacobson has spearheaded the development of original formats for global distribution. Six Degrees of X, slated to commence production in June, is set for premiere on AXN channels worldwide later this year.

Jacobson previously served as senior vice president, programming and production, international networks, since 2003. Prior to that she was senior vice president, programming, international networks, since 2000. Prior to joining SPTI, Jacobson served as chief executive of TV1, the FOXTEL - AUSTAR Pay-TV channel partnership of Sony, Universal and CBS Paramount in Australia. She assumed the CEO position after serving as the channel's head of programming and acquisitions. Before TV1, Jacobson served as director, programming and special projects for Comedy Central in New York. She joined Comedy Central as manager, program planning and scheduling. Jacobson also held positions at Columbia TriStar Television Distribution (now Sony Pictures Television) in Los Angeles, including manager, sales administration, and analyst, television research. Jacobson's career began as a television research associate for Paramount Domestic Television in Los Angeles.

About Sony Pictures Television International

Sony Pictures Television International (SPTI) is the division of Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) responsible for all television business outside of the United States. SPTI operates three complementary lines of business: 1) distribution of SPE's feature films and television programming to television, mobile and digital content delivery outlets around the world, 2) local television production in key international markets, and 3) international television networks. In addition to being a leader in the distribution of current and classic U.S. and international films and television product worldwide, SPTI produces high profile, locally produced television in local languages. With dedicated offices in France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Miami (Latin America), the People's Republic of China, Russia, Spain and the United Kingdom, SPTI currently oversees production in nine regions of the world and is the leader in international television production among all major Hollywood studios. SPTI's worldwide television networks portfolio is a key strategy in the SPE's long-range commitment to the global marketplace, with over 40 networks in more than 130 countries reaching over 298 million viewers worldwide. SPTI is a Sony Pictures Entertainment company.

Contact: Ron Sato
Sony Pictures Television International
+1 310 244 4687
ron_sato@spe.sony.com

Gabriella Alaimo Thomas
Sony Pictures Television International
+1 310 244-3538
Gabriella_alaimo@spe.sony.com

Source: Sony Pictures Television International

CONTACT: Ron Sato, +1-310-244-4687, ron_sato@spe.sony.com, or Gabriella
Alaimo Thomas, +1-310-244-3538, Gabriella_alaimo@spe.sony.com, both of Sony
Pictures Television International

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