Mark Zoradi, CEO, to retire from Cinemark at
the end of the year while continuing on the Board of Directors
Sean Gamble, CFO & COO, named as Zoradi’s
successor as CEO
Promotions announced for Wanda Gierhart
Fearing, Damian Wardle, Sid Srivastava
Cinemark Holdings, Inc., one of the world’s largest and most
influential movie theatre companies, today announced that Mark
Zoradi, CEO and Board Director, will retire as Cinemark’s CEO at
the end of 2021. Zoradi will remain a member of the Board of
Directors until the 2024 annual meeting when his continuing term
will be subject to board nomination and shareholder election. Sean
Gamble, CFO & COO, has been named as Zoradi’s successor as CEO
effective Jan. 1, 2022. Effective today, Gamble has been named
President and he will serve as CEO & President following
Zoradi’s retirement. Zoradi will work closely with Gamble and the
executive leadership team over the course of the next five months
to ensure a smooth transition.
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Cinemark announces succession plan. Mark
Zoradi (right) announces retirement from Cinemark at the end of the
year and Sean Gamble (left) is named as successor to CEO. (Photo:
Cinemark)
Gamble is a long-term industry executive with a deep
understanding of the broad media and entertainment environment
having served as Executive Vice President and CFO of Universal
Pictures prior to joining Cinemark. He also held multiple senior
leadership roles within the General Electric Company prior to his
CFO role at Universal. During his tenure at Cinemark, Gamble has
been instrumental in leading the strategic vision of the company,
enhancing and strengthening Cinemark’s financial discipline and
capabilities, driving varied growth and margin expansion
initiatives, introducing a culture of continuous improvement and
streamlining numerous processes, all of which have been
transformational for the company.
The search for Gamble’s successor as CFO is currently
underway.
“Serving as Cinemark’s CEO during the past six years has truly
been the highlight of my career,” stated Zoradi. “While I’ve been
in the industry for more than four decades, the vast majority was
spent on the studio side of the business. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed
participating in all aspects of theatrical exhibition and will
treasure the time spent and deep connections established with the
Cinemark team, as well as the many other industry relationships
formed around the world.”
Zoradi continued, “Sean has been a tremendous partner in
overseeing Cinemark’s operational execution and strategic vision,
as well as effectively navigating the prolonged effects of
COVID-19. As the industry is now on the path to recovery from the
pandemic, I felt it was time to begin transitioning the CEO role to
Sean’s capable hands. I have full confidence in Sean’s leadership
abilities, particularly with the strength and depth of the
executive team, and I look forward to continuing our relationship
in my Board Director capacity.”
Lee Roy Mitchell, Cinemark’s Founder and Executive Chairman
stated, “We are grateful for Mark and the significant impact he has
made on our company, and our industry, during his tenure as CEO.
Mark reinvigorated a culture of innovation and evolution in our
company, challenging the teams’ line of thought and rationale, all
while staying steady at the helm when our industry needed him most.
We are thrilled that Cinemark will continue to benefit from Mark’s
background, business expertise and perspective as an ongoing member
of our Board.”
Mitchell continued, “As an integral member of the executive
leadership team with a consistent emphasis on innovation, growth
and process improvement, Sean has proven to be the natural
successor following Mark’s retirement. He will continue the
momentum of the company as it recovers from COVID-19 and further
solidify our industry-leading position. Sean has the full support
of the Board and we are confident in a smooth transition over the
coming months.”
“It is an honor to be named Cinemark’s next CEO and have an
opportunity to lead such a world class team,” said Gamble. “In this
role, I will aim to continue building upon Cinemark’s over 35-year
history of growth, industry leadership and entertaining guests
through an unparalleled cinematic experience. I look forward to
continuing to work closely with our exceptional leadership team and
Board of Directors as we drive a wide range of consumer-facing and
productivity initiatives that will position Cinemark for ongoing
success in the evolving media and entertainment landscape.”
Gamble continued, “It’s been an absolute pleasure working
alongside Mark over the course of the past six years. I am grateful
for his partnership and mentorship during that time, as well as his
support in ensuring a seamless transition over the coming
months.”
As part of the executive leadership transition, Cinemark also
announced the promotion of three executives:
Wanda Gierhart Fearing has been promoted to Chief Marketing
and Content Officer. Since joining Cinemark in 2018, Gierhart
Fearing has significantly enhanced the strength of key marketing
functions and spearheaded the company’s e-commerce and
digital/social media transformation. Her extensive retail
background has been invaluable in numerous company initiatives,
including the re-launch of Cinemark’s branding, evolution of the
customer experience and in-theatre journey, as well as modernizing
and streamlining theatre designs. Gierhart Fearing has also been
instrumental in building and enhancing the company’s studio
marketing and exhibitor relations rapport through her strategic
partnerships team. To benefit from the growing synergies between
marketing and content distribution, the company is re-aligning its
internal corporate structure. Justin McDaniel will continue to lead
Cinemark’s outstanding film team and now report to Gierhart
Fearing.
Damian Wardle has been promoted to EVP Theatre &
Technology Operations. Wardle has been with Cinemark/Century
for over thirty years and has significant experience in field
operations, information technology and theatre technology. He is a
highly respected industry leader who is widely recognized as the
best in the theatre tech business. Under Wardle’s management,
Cinemark has consistently delivered the highest level of projection
and sound quality, developed a top-notch guest service center, and
designed the strategy for laser projection deployment across the
company’s global platform over the course of the next decade.
Throughout the pandemic, Wardle was an evolutionary change agent
through his tactical planning, forward thinking and operational
excellence, which were vital in the successful staging, relaunch
and ramp-up of Cinemark’s theatres. With this promotion, Wardle
will now oversee theatre operations with the continued leadership
of Steve Zuehlke and his industry-leading field operations
team.
Sid Srivastava has been promoted to EVP Human Resources,
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and Corporate Social
Responsibility. Prior to joining the company in 2016,
Srivastava had an extensive background with Coca-Cola and the
General Electric Company spanning nearly twenty years. During his
tenure at Cinemark, Srivastava has implemented a new human
resources management system, redesigned the company’s total rewards
structure and led a range of strategic organizational development
programs. This promotion is in recognition of his proven
leadership, proficiency, and collaboration, as well as his ability
to drive initiatives and deliver results. Furthermore, his role
will expand to oversee the company’s ongoing Diversity, Equity
& Inclusion and Corporate Social Responsibility
initiatives.
In addition, the full management team is comprised of highly
skilled and experienced leaders with significant industry tenure
represented by the following department heads:
- Valmir Fernandes, President International
- Michael Cavalier, EVP General Counsel & Business
Affairs
- Phillip Couch, EVP Food & Beverage
- Jay Jostrand, EVP Real Estate
- Steve Zuehlke, EVP Global Theatre Operations
- Don Harton, EVP Construction & Design
- Justin McDaniel, SVP Global Content Strategy &
Analysis
- Doug Fay, SVP Information Technology
About Cinemark Holdings, Inc.:
Headquartered in Plano, TX, Cinemark (NYSE: CNK) is one of the
largest and most influential movie theatre companies in the world.
Cinemark’s circuit, comprised of various brands that also include
Century, Tinseltown and Rave, operates 523 theatres with 5,872
screens in 42 states domestically and 15 countries throughout South
and Central America. Cinemark consistently provides an
extraordinary guest experience from the initial ticket purchase to
the closing credits, including Movie Club, the first U.S.
exhibitor-launched subscription program; the highest Luxury Lounger
recliner seat penetration among the major players; XD - the No. 1
exhibitor-brand premium large format; and expansive food and
beverage options to further enhance the moviegoing experience. For
more information go to https://ir.cinemark.com/
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210728005909/en/
Media Contact: Julia McCartha pr@cinemark.com
Investor Contact: Chanda Brashears ir@cinemark.com
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