Display screen Gems President Steve Bersch Stepping Down After 16-12 months Sony Run

Sony movie division Display screen Gems, greatest identified for its lower-budgeted style and comedy fare, is getting a shake-up.

Steve Bersch, the division’s president, is stepping down and retiring after a 16-year stint at Sony Photos Leisure. Scott Strauss, government vp of manufacturing and growth, is taking the second to exit as nicely.

Sony Movement Image Group chair Tom Rothman made the announcement in an e mail Friday, writing, “Regardless of my greatest efforts to steer him in any other case, Steve Bersch has determined to step down from his position as President, Display screen Gems, when his contract ends on December 1st. After almost 16 years of distinguished service to SPE, and a long time extra within the enterprise total, Steve needs to pursue different life adventures – the fortunate son of a gun!”

It’s unclear who will probably be named to guide the division or if it is going to be merged with Sony’s different movie divisions.

Bersch joined Sony because the president of Sony Photos Worldwide Acquisitions in 2008, turning into head of Display screen Gems in 2018. He had massive sneakers to fill because the arm was beforehand run by Clint Culpepper, the mercurial government who made the division a driver of worthwhile hits for a few years.

However Bersch made it his personal and through his tenure, the manager oversaw the acquisition of a whole lot of movies, Rothman famous, and departs on the heels of Display screen Gems’ newest success for the Insidious franchise, Insidious: The Purple Door, which may change into the highest-grossing horror film of the yr. Amongst his acquisition offers was choosing up worldwide rights to Denis Villeneuve’s Arrival and making streaming offers for Tom Hanks dramas Greyhound and A Man Referred to as Otto.

Previous to Sony, Bersch held a number of posts at twentieth Century Fox.

The departing exec despatched alongside a word to workers concerning his exit: “After I arrived at SPE in January of 2008, I by no means imagined I’d spend virtually 16 years right here. It’s been a beautiful run. I’ll miss so many elements of the corporate, particularly my great colleagues, and the groups at Display screen Gems, Sony Photos Worldwide Acquisitions and AFFIRM Movies. After 4 a long time of working, I’m impressed by the concept of leaping into one thing new that permits for extra journey and extra private flexibility. Tony and Tom have constructed a fantastic firm the place you are able to do your greatest work, and I’m very grateful for the alternatives they offered for me right here.”