Lakeshore ups two
Reid named COO; Benum promoted to sr. veep
In his new post, Reid will focus on managing day-to-day corporate operations and exploring potential growth avenues to complement the company's slate of higher-end productions. He will also continue to run the business and legal affairs department for Lakeshore's international and entertainment divisions.
"Eric has worked with me on Lakeshore for over five years," company founder Tom Rosenberg said. "He has already built a strong and efficient business and legal affairs department from the ground up, and the company will benefit further as he steps into his expanded role."
Previously Reid was Lakeshore's senior executive veep of operations, business and legal affairs.
Major deals
On behalf of Lakeshore, Reidstructured and supervised the negotiation of major talent deals with stars (Richard Gere and Julia Roberts for "The Runaway Bride," Madonna, Rupert Everett and John Schlesinger for "The Next Best Thing," Richard Gere and Winona Ryder for "Autumn in New York").
After acting as Lakeshore's outside counsel from the company's inception in 1995, Reid joined Lakeshore in 1996 to head the business and legal affairs department. A graduate of NYU Film School, Reid is an experienced musicvideo and commercial producer and editor.
Benun is expected to take on a broader spectrum of business and legal affairs, including additional distribution duties and completion guarantees. He will also continue to handle major production deals as well as the negotiation of rights acquisitions and of writer, director, actor and producer deals.
"Robert's ability to handle some of the most taxing and complex talent deals has made it possible for us to produce pictures of the finest caliber," Reid said.
A UC Berkeley and Harvard Law School graduate, Benun joined Lakeshore in 1997 as VP of business and legal affairs.
Prior to joining Lakeshore, Benun spent time with Paramount's Wilshire Court, where he handled business and legal affairs for numerous telepics. Benun also spent a number of years negotiating corporate and real property transactions at the law firm of Cox, Castle and Nicholson.
