Jonathan Helfgot is joining Open Road Films as president of marketing, replacing Jason Cassidy.
Helfgot arrives at a good time for the independent distributor. Open Road, run by CEO Tom Ortenberg, is home of Oscar best picture winner Spotlight, a major coup for a company that’s relatively young.
Ortenberg launched Open Road in 2011 on behalf of mega-theater circuits AMC Entertainment and Regal Entertainment, which co-own the venture.
Helfgot’s hire comes not long after Peter Lawson exited his post as executive vp production and acquisitions at Open Road.
Helfgot joins Open Road Films from Rec Room, an original and branded content studio, which he founded and at which he most recently served as managing partner. At Rec Room, Helfgot and his partners worked with clients including Sony Pictures, Fox, Warner Bros, HBO, Netflix, Paramount, Universal, Disney and FX and has digital series in development with networks including Comedy Central and E! Entertainment. The remaining Rec Room partners will continue to oversee these projects under a new banner.
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“Jonathan is a widely respected and rising star marketer and will bring a boldly strategic and innovative point of view to our campaigns,” stated Ortenberg in a statement. “He is a proven leader with big ideas and I am thrilled to bring him on board.”
Added Helfgot: “Open Road Films is a dynamic studio that has released some of the highest quality films in recent memory. With an incredible slate in front of the company, I am thrilled to join Tom Ortenberg and his team, and excited to work with one of the best marketing departments in town to create engaging and ground-breaking campaigns.”
