Marketing president Rich steps down at Paramount

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Gerry Rich is stepping down as Paramount Pictures' president of worldwide marketing and at his request will leave the studio by month's end.

His duties will be taken over by Megan Colligan and Josh Greenstein, who will retain their current titles as co-presidents of marketing.

Colligan and Greenstein had been handling marketing duties at Paramount Vantage, the studio's specialty film division. When Paramount absorbed Vantage's distribution and marketing arms in June, the two were brought in to the parent studio, where they reported to Rich.

They now will report to Paramount vice chairman Rob Moore.

Rich, who served stints at Miramax and MGM/UA, joined Paramount in 2004 in the studio's top marketing post. He was involved in the release of such recent hits as "Iron Man," "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" and "Kung Fu Panda," which have made Paramount the top-grossing studio of the summer.

"We've had an incredible summer, I've had a great run, and so it's mission accomplished," said Rich, who had less than two years to run on his contract. "I'm really grateful that Paramount let me out of my contract," he continued, adding that he planned to take "a long overdue summer vacation" before regrouping and considering future possibilities.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter