MUMBAI: Geoffrey Ammer has been named president of worldwide marketing and home entertainment for Marvel Studios, the Hollywood division of Marvel Entertainment. The announcement was made by Marvel Studios chairman David Maisel.
One of Hollywood’s most accomplished marketers with more than 20 years of experience, Ammer successfully led the motion picture marketing divisions for Sony Pictures and Disney. In his new position, he will oversee theatrical and home entertainment marketing for Marvel Studios’ upcoming slate of live action motion pictures.
Reporting to Maisel, Ammer will begin immediately working on campaigns to support this summer’s highly anticipated releases, Iron Man on 2 May and The Incredible Hulk on 13 June. He will be responsible for working with Marvel’s studio distribution partners in guiding pre and post release marketing initiatives on Marvel Studios’ slate, including creative advertising, publicity, promotions, licensing, merchandising, interactive marketing, research and media planning. This marketing activity will include working with Paramount as Marvel’s studio distribution partner on Iron Man and with Universal Studios as Marvel’s studio distribution partner for The Incredible Hulk.
Maisel said of the appointment, "We are pleased to have Geoff join our team in this very exciting time for Marvel Studios. His tremendous marketing experience and expertise will truly help to maximize the success of Iron Man and The Incredible Hulk this summer, as well as Marvel Studios’ future film releases."
Marvel recently launched its independent live-action film studio to develop, produce, and fully finance movies based on Marvel’s renowned catalogue of characters. In addition to the upcoming releases of Iron Man and The Incredible Hulk, in development at Marvel Studios are Captain America, Thor, Ant-Man and The Avengers. Marvel Studios is also working with Lionsgate on Punisher: War Zone slated for 12 September, 2008 and Twentieth Century Fox on X-Men Origins: Wolverine which is in production and slated for release on 1 May, 2009, as well as with Sony Pictures on Spider-Man 4, which is currently in development.
"The Marvel catalogue is one of the most valuable and iconic character-driven libraries in the industry, and I can’t think of another company with the wealth of unique, branded properties that Marvel controls," Ammer said. "As Marvel Studios begins producing its own motion pictures, this is a remarkably exciting time to join David Maisel and his team."
