Gumpert upped as president, business affairs, administration at Columbia Pictures

Mumbai: Andrew Gumpert has been promoted to president of business affairs and administration for Columbia Pictures; it was announced by Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) chairman and CEO Michael Lynton and SPE Motion Pictures Group co-chairman of SPE and Chairman Amy Pascal, to whom he will jointly report.

Gumpert will work closely with Columbia presidents Matt Tolmach and Doug Belgrad. He will not only oversee deal negotiations and administration for the studio, but will be integrally involved in the budgeting and financing aspects of all of Columbia’s theatrical releases. In this position, Gumpert will also work closely with Sony Pictures Entertainment president worldwide affairs Peter Schlessel.

"Gumpert has consistently demonstrated strong leadership in addition to his savvy negotiating skills throughout his rise at Columbia," said Lynton. "With this promotion, Gumpert will play an even more central role in driving our theatrical business and continuing the studio’s outstanding track record."

"Our relationships with on-screen and behind-the-camera talent alike are the lifeblood of our business – the business of storytelling," said Pascal. "Gumpert’s deal-making expertise is a great complement to the leadership Tolmach and Belgrad has brought to managing Columbia Pictures and building our upcoming slate."

In his four years with Columbia, Gumpert has been actively involved in negotiations surrounding many of the studio’s top productions including: Quantum of Solace, Hancock, Casino Royale, The Da Vinci Code, Spider-Man 3, Superbad and the upcoming Seven Pounds, among others.

"I am grateful to be able to work with such an incredibly talented, successful and well-respected management team," said Gumpert. "This is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity."

Prior to returning Sony Pictures Entertainment in 2005, Gumpert led business and legal affairs for Miramax’s Dimension Films division for seven years. This position was preceded by Gumpert’s first tenure at Columbia in the legal department in 1995. Gumpert began his career as a business litigator with the law firm Hill, Wynne, Troop and Meisinger.