SYDNEY-- Mitch Yankowitz, exec VP marketing at 20th Century Fox Intl., abruptly ankled Friday after seven years with the studio.
Yankowitz's exit is understood to be part of a restructure by Fox Intl. president Stephen Moore.
It's believed his duties will be handled by Fox Intl. theatrical prez Scott Neeson and that his post will not be filled in the near future. Neither Yankowitz nor Neeson would comment.
This further re-aligns responsibilities at Fox after Julian Levin segued earlier this month from exec VP of international theatrical sales and distribution to the newly created role of exec VP of digital exhibition.
Paul Hanneman was upped from senior VP of Asia/Pacific to senior VP of sales and strategic planning, taking over some of Levin's chores (
Daily Variety, Feb. 5).
At the same time, regional theatrical heads who formerly reported to Levin were told to report directly to Neeson, whose workload now expands further with oversight of marketing, which includes promotions, publicity and research.
Yankowitz was promoted to exec VP in Dec. 2000, filling the vacancy caused after Neeson was elevated from that job to his present post.
The timing of his departure surprised some staffers, especially as he was due to fly to London this week on Fox business.
Since Moore took the helm last September, Fox has been pursuing a "one-company" initiative, aimed at integrating the management of the foreign theatrical and home entertainment operations.
The thinning of exec ranks at Fox's international theatrical unit sits oddly with the abundantly staffed corresponding divisions at other majors such as Disney and Warner Bros.
Some observers also question the wisdom of the downsizing as Fox's release slate this year is studded with big-ticket items including "Star Wars: Episode II: Attack of the Clones," "Ice Age," "Minority Report" and "The Road to Perdition."
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