Entertainment One Films US (eOne) is pleased to announce that Allen Blackwell has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Urban and Comedy, Patrick McDonough has been promoted to Senior Vice President and General Manager, Home Video and Hank Lawhead has been promoted to Vice President of Sales, Home Video.
These appointments round out eOne Films’ senior management team in the US following the promotion of Dylan Wiley to Senior Vice President and General Manager, eOne Films US, last Fall. Wiley leads the division’s robust US theatrical, licensing and digital sales activities in addition to overseeing marketing efforts across all media.
Blackwell’s promotion follows a series of successful Urban and Comedy home video releases in 2013. In his expanded role, LA-based Blackwell will continue to increase eOne’s film activity in the popular Urban and Comedy space, while overseeing all aspects of acquisition, development and distribution of content for these genres. Since joining eOne in 2010, Blackwell has led the charge towards securing compelling specialized programming including comedy-specials from Katt Williams, Joan Rivers and Lavelle Crawford. Now a leader in Urban and Comedy content, eOne has established relationships with key partners including BET, Comedy Central and Netflix.
In his broadened role, McDonough will manage eOne’s US home video activities including distribution, sales and home video supplier relationships. In managing more than 200 home video releases annually, McDonough will continue to work closely with cross-functional teams, support acquisition initiatives, and build on his strategic industry relationships to seek out and exploit key US home video opportunities. Prior to joining eOne in 2012 as Senior Vice President of Home Video Sales, McDonough served as Senior Vice President of Sales for Lionsgate, handling all major direct US retailers including Walmart, Target, Best Buy and Amazon. McDonough’s past experience also includes SVP, Retail Sales at Artisan Pictures.
“I’m delighted to share today’s news. Allen continues to bring great projects and relationships to eOne and it’s under his stewardship that Urban and Comedy has become a significant area of business for us and a core element in our US strategy. Similarly, in an ever-changing home video landscape Pat continues to attract new opportunities and partnerships. It’s also rewarding to see Pat’s team getting even stronger with the support of Hank and others who have extensive sales experience,” said David Reckziegel, President, eOne Films North America.
In his new role, Lawhead will manage the home video sales team’s efforts outside of mass market and continue to work closely with Jeff Goan, Vice President Mass Market Video Sales to maximize sales opportunities. Lawhead is a veteran of the home entertainment industry, having served in many areas of the business. Before joining eOne, Lawhead managed video purchasing and operations for national regional chain National Record Mart and held similar roles at Warner Home Video and Vivendi Entertainment.