Sony poaches Fox exec for key post

Sony Pictures Entertainment has hired Fox executive Sanford Panitch to become its president of international film and television.

The newly-created post will see Panitch working alongside Sony Pictures Television president Steve Mosko on TV projects, as well as on the feature film side of the Hollywood studio.

This is the first significant hire SPE has made since Tom Rothman replaced co-chairman Amy Pascal, who left the business after embarrassing emails were exposed during the cyber-attack on Sony that crippled the business over Christmas.

Panitch, currently president of Fox local language film division Fox International Productions, will report to Sony Entertainment CEO Michael Lynton, who escaped the cyber-attack largely unharmed.

Panitch will focus in part on creating local-language TV series, coordinating with SPT’s president of international production Andrea Wong.

“Sanford is a talented and strategic senior executive with an exceptional career working with a wide range of international productions and talent,” said Lynton.

“There is tremendous growth potential in the international and local language markets, and we are thrilled to have someone with Sanford’s experience join our team.”

“This new role comes at a time of unprecedented change in the international marketplace especially in television, it’s a wonderful and unique opportunity to work with Steve Mosko, his outstanding organisation and again with my friend Tom Rothman [the former Fox chief who replaced Pascal as SPE’s chairman, motion picture group].”