Jeff Blake Extends Employment With Sony Pictures Through 2012
Jeff Blake has signed a long-term contract with Sony Pictures in which the respected industry veteran will continue to serve as chairman of worldwide marketing and distribution for the Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group through 2012.
In addition to his role overseeing the studio's worldwide marketing and distribution division, Blake continues to serve as vice chairman of Sony Pictures Entertainment.
While Blake's current contract was not set to expire until the end of 2008, Michael Lynton, chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures Entertainment, and Amy Pascal, co-chairman of SPE, began discussing the extension of Blake's employment agreement months ago.
Blake has served as vice chairman of Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) since October 2002.He was named chairman of Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, Worldwide marketing and distribution in September, 2005. Blake was previously president of worldwide distribution for Columbia Pictures and has headed the studio's film distribution arm since 1992.
Blake directs and oversees the global marketing and distribution of all films from SPE'S motion picture production entities -- including Columbia Pictures, TriStar, and Screen Gems.
He has overseen the launch of such hit films as SPIDER-MAN, SPIDER-MAN 2 and SPIDER-MAN 3, 21, SUPERBAD, CASINO ROYALE, THE DAVINCI CODE, TALLADEGA NIGHTS: THE BALLAD OF RICKY BOBBY, HITCH, THE PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS, PINK PANTHER, 50 FIRST DATES, MEN IN BLACK 2, FUN WITH DICK AND JANE, GHOST RIDER, MR. DEEDS, BAD BOYS II, ANGER MANAGEMENT, PANIC ROOM, DADDY DAY CARE, SOMETHING'S GOTTA GIVE, S.W.A.T., XXX, BLACK HAWK DOWN, CHARLIE'S ANGELS, VANTAGE POINT, and THE GRUDGE.
Blake is currently overseeing launch campaigns for such upcoming projects as HANCOCK, the action-comedy starring Will Smith, Adam Sandler's YOU DON'T MESS WITH THE ZOHAN, STEP BROTHERS, starring Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly, ANGELS & DEMONS, starring Tom Hanks and based on the best-selling novel by Dan Brown, and QUANTUM OF SOLACE, the highly anticipated 22nd James Bond adventure starring Daniel Craig.
Blake became President of Sony Pictures Releasing in August 1994. Prior to that, he was President of Domestic Distribution for Columbia Pictures, a title he had held since joining SPE.
Blake previously worked at Paramount Pictures, where he served as Executive Vice President and General Sales Manager of Domestic Distribution from 1987 to 1992. While there, he contributed to the release of such hit films as GHOST, INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE, TOP GUN, BEVERLY HILLS COP 2, and THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER.
Blake's career began at Paramount in 1974. He subsequently moved to the Los Angeles offices of the Walt Disney Company's theatrical sales unit, Buena Vista Distribution, in 1980, as assistant to the general sales manager. He returned to Paramount as manager of the Western Division in 1981 and was promoted to Vice President of Theatrical Distribution in 1984.
Blake is a member of the California Bar Association, and a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. He serves as a Vice President of the Motion Picture Pioneers Foundation and was honored in 2007 as Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Foundation Pioneer of the Year.
He is also a member of the Los Angeles chapter of Variety Club Children's Charities and was honored with the 1995 Humanitarian Award from the Variety Club of Queens, New York. He holds a bachelors' degree in economics from Northwestern University and a law degree from Whittier College of Law.