Amazon MGM Theatrical Marketing Head Gerry Rich Resigns (Exclusive)
Longtime executive Gerry Rich has resigned as head of theatrical marketing at Amazon MGM Studios.
Rich had been the marketing head of United Artists Releasing, which was formed from the union of MGM and Annapurna in 2019. Then he segued to a top marketing job at Amazon when the company closed its deal to buy MGM for $8.5 billion in 2022. In the last six years, Rich oversaw the rollout of a wide range of movies, from James Bond entry No Time to Die, boxing drama Creed III, Luca Guadagnino’s Challengers, actioner Beekeeper, and the recent drama Nickel Boys.
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In a note to staff, Rich wrote he was stepping away to explore “new opportunities during this incredible time of change in the industry, and am confident that this is the right time for me to do that.” The departure is being characterized as amicable.
The timing is prescient, although unrelated, according to sources. The exit occurs when Amazon has solidified its grasp of the James Bond franchise, announcing a deal Thursday that creatively sidelined producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson.
Rich had a notable marketing tenure at MGM in the 1990s, where he worked with the duo on a revitalization of that included the Pierce Brosnan-starring Bond era. He was also involved in the campaign for the last Bond film, No Time to Die, released in 2021.
He got his start working at Columbia Pictures in the 1980s. He was also head of marketing at Miramax during the early 2000s era of Kill Bill, Chicago, and Gangs of New York and later served as Paramount Pictures’ president of worldwide motion picture marketing when the Melrose Boulevard-based studio released Iron Man, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull and Kung Fu Panda.
Read his note to staff below.
Dear Team Formerly known as UAR,
This is a bittersweet email for me to write. After much consideration and reflection, I’ve decided to leave Amazon MGM Studios at the end of March.
I’m excited about exploring new opportunities during this incredible time of change in the industry, and am confident that this is the right time for me to do that.
These past 6 years have provided me with the experience of a lifetime because of all of you. It’s been an honor to work alongside some of the most passionate, inspired and inventive people in the business.
I’m proud of all we built together, and all that we achieved as a small but mighty team. We successfully launched mainstream commercial hits like NO TIME TO DIE, HOUSE OF GUCCI, ADDAMS FAMILY (1 and 2), CREED 3, CHALLENGERS, BOYS IN THE BOAT, BEEKEEPER among so many others. I’m also in awe over the astonishing love, care, and skill you all brought to releasing auteur films like LICORICE PIZZA, WOMEN TALKING, BOTTOMS, AMERICAN FICTION and this year’s NICKEL BOYS. We’ve also celebrated so many nominations and wins with our filmmakers during awards season, including a best picture nomination every year for the last 4 years!
One of your collective super powers is your genuine love of movies – from big tentpoles to specialty titles – your dedication, expertise and infectious fandom – are responsible for so many of our big wins.
On a personal note, I so appreciate the humanity and kindness that you brought to our offices each and every day; I will miss that dearly.
And to my friends at Amazon MGM Studios, old and new, thank you for welcoming me into the Company after the acquisition of the MGM. I’ve enjoyed our collaboration and am looking forward to seeing this incredible slate of films get out into the world. I’ll always be rooting for you all.
Wishing you all the best,
Gerry
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