Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Leadership Changes: JP Richards and Keri Moore Depart
In a significant shakeup at Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, marketing president JP Richards and co-president Keri Moore have officially left the company, effective immediately. This announcement was made on Monday afternoon, signaling a pivotal moment for the studio as it adapts to a rapidly evolving industry landscape.
While the roles of Richards and Moore will not be filled right away, the Motion Picture Group’s executive vice presidents—Amanda Kozlowski (EVP Strategy & Chief of Staff), Jack Teed (EVP Global Creative Advertising), and Nasim Cambron (EVP Worldwide Publicity)—will temporarily lead global marketing initiatives. Additionally, Lionsgate MPG chair Adam Fogelson will take a more active role in overseeing the marketing department during this transition.
This leadership change follows the recent promotion of Erin Westerman to president of the Motion Picture Group, succeeding Nathan Kahane, who is set to embark on a production deal with the studio at the end of the year. “As we look ahead at our upcoming slate, we have decided to reevaluate our marketing strategy to better align with the demands of a rapidly changing market,” Fogelson stated in his announcement. “This transition means JP Richards and Keri Moore will be stepping away from their roles at the studio. I am immensely proud of their contributions to our team. JP has consistently offered bold, innovative ideas, while Keri has excelled as a comprehensive marketing strategist, adept at collaborating with filmmakers and talent.”
Richards, who has a background with Warner Bros and Apple TV+, and Moore, formerly with STX, joined Lionsgate in October 2022, taking over from Marisa Liston and David Edwards. Their departure comes on the heels of mixed performance from several major releases this summer, including the John Wick spinoff Ballerina, which grossed $132 million globally, and Hurry Up Tomorrow, featuring The Weeknd and Jenna Ortega, which earned $7.8 million worldwide.
Looking ahead, Lionsgate has some exciting titles on its upcoming slate, including Good Fortune, directed by Aziz Ansari and set to premiere at TIFF before its theatrical release on October 17; Now You See Me: Now You Don’t (November 14); and The Housemaid, directed by Paul Feig and starring Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried (December 25).
Reflecting on his time at Lionsgate, Richards expressed gratitude, stating, “The past three years have been incredibly rewarding. I had the opportunity to collaborate with my mentor and friend Adam, work closely with the brilliant Keri, and create alongside an exceptionally talented team. We pushed boundaries, dreamed big, and had a lot of fun, and I look forward to seeing what they achieve next!”
Moore echoed this sentiment, saying, “There’s truly no one else I would have chosen to work with than Adam Fogelson. These past few years have been remarkable, from the return of global theatrical releases post-pandemic, including John Wick: Chapter 4, to navigating industry challenges like strikes and a constantly evolving market. I’m incredibly proud of the dedicated team JP and I have built, and I’m excited to cheer them on from afar as they continue to deliver great content.”
In recent weeks, it has been reported that Legendary Entertainment is exploring potential partnerships with Lionsgate Studios, which has recently separated from Starz and is seen as a potential target for mergers and acquisitions. Sources indicate that this may lead to a co-production agreement between the two companies.
Stay tuned for more updates on Lionsgate and its upcoming film slate as the studio navigates this transitional period and looks to redefine its marketing strategy in a dynamic market.
