Sonar’s Stein joins Gaumont as CEO exits

It has emerged Gene Stein exited Sonar Entertainment last week to join rival LA studio Gaumont, which is consolidating its television assets under one brand.

Stein (left) has been named president of the new unit, Gaumont Television US, with current Gaumont International Television CEO Katie O’Connell (below right) leaving the restructuring business.

Gaumon Television US will house LA-based Gaumont International Television, and Paris-based prodcos Gaumont Television Europe and Gaumont Animation.

New chief Stein had been Sonar’s CEO since May 2014, when he replaced Stewart Till at the Shannara Chronicles company, having previously been president of BermanBraun (now Whalerock Industries). He will report to Gaumont’s vice CEO, Christophe Riandee.

The exiting O’Connell launched Gaumont’s LA production base in 2010, and has gone on to package Narcos and Hemlock Grove for Netflix, and Hannibal for NBC.

“Katie expressed an interest in closing her chapter at Gaumont and we are grateful for all of the success she brought to this division,” said Riandee. “We are very proud of Hannibal, Hemlock Grove and Narcos that Katie shepherded from concept to screen.”

As a result of the restructuring, Gaumont Television’s head of French-language productions Isabelle Degeorges, head of European coproductions Elizabeth Dreyer, president of animation Pierre Belaïsch, and president of international distributor Erik Pack now all report to Riandee.

Pack and his sales team are now handling all Gaumont Television programmes, including new live-action series Spy City, Hannibal, Hemlock Grove, Narcos, F is for Family, Viva La Madness, and animated shows such as Calimero, Lanfeust Quest and Galactik Football.