Spyglass taps another MGM exec

US-based Spyglass Media Group has appointed former MGM senior executive Damien Marin to president of worldwide distribution and acquisitions.

Damien Marin

Marin will be responsible for global sales and distribution strategy for new and existing content, reporting to Spyglass chairman and CEO Gary Barber, former CEO of MGM.

Marin previously worked in content distribution at MGM and was most recently executive VP, worldwide digital media and domestic pay television. During his tenure, he licensed content to global audiences in more than 100 territories.

Before MGM, he served as director, worldwide TV and home video distribution at Showtime Networks.

“Damien is one of the most talented executives in the industry and we consider it a huge coup that he is leading our distribution and acquisition efforts,” said Barber.

“Damien demonstrates exceptional knowledge and expertise in this rapidly evolving digital and media environment and will be a significant asset as we drive our business forward.”

Barber relaunched Spyglass Media Group earlier this year alongside Lantern Entertainment.

The company began as movie producer Spyglass Entertainment (Shanghai Noon, Seabiscuit), which was launched by Barber and Roger Birnbaum in 1998. It was scaled back in 2009 after Barber and Birmnaum left for MGM but is now back with a new focus on TV production.

Lantern holds the former assets of The Weinstein Company (TWC), which went bankrupt after its co-founder, Harvey Weinstein, was accused of multiple sexual assault and rape charges.

Lantern Capital bought the TWC assets in a US$289m sale last year and relaunched the company as Lantern Entertainment.

Spyglass has made a number of high-profile appointments this year, including naming former Miramax and Legendary Entertainment executive Lauren Whitney as president of television.