MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Entertainment has promoted John Fukunaga to executive vice president, legal affairs.

He will report to Sony Pictures Entertainment senior executive vice president and general counsel Leah Weil.

Fukunaga returns to SPE’s legal department, where he will head the corporate and distribution legal group, after having spent the previous six years in Sony Pictures Television (SPT), where he served as senior vice president, international distribution.

In his new role, Fukunaga, together with his team, will be responsible for handling a variety of key matters across the company’s multiple business units, including mergers and acquisitions; strategic relationships and joint ventures; financings; television network operations; and television, home entertainment and digital distribution.

"We are thrilled to have John rejoin the Legal Department. John brings a wonderful background to the job from his most recent business role at Sony Pictures Television. His long history at the company, the depth of his knowledge, his keen legal skills and his deep international ties are all tremendously valuable as the company explores new opportunities around the world," said Weil.

Fukunaga has been with Sony Pictures for 15 years. He began his career at the company in the corporate and international legal department.