Tim Connors has been named Chief Operating Officer of Marvel Studios, the Hollywood subsidiary of Marvel Entertainment, Inc. In his new role, Connors will manage Marvel Studios’ day-to-day business operations as well as oversee the business transactions for all studio productions including the anticipated releases of Iron Man 2 on May 7, 2010, Thor on July 16, 2010, The First Avenger: Captain America on May 6, 2011, The Avengers in July 15, 2011 and Ant Man. The announcement was made today by David Maisel, Chairman of Marvel Studios, and Kevin Feige, President of Marvel Studios.
Prior to today’s announcement, Connors served as Executive Vice President of Business Affairs and Operations for Marvel Studios, a position he held since December 2006.
Marvel Studios’ business team is rounded out by Matt Finick, who is currently Senior Vice President, Studio Finance, with Louis DEsposito on the production side serving as President, Physical Production.
“Tim’s strong business acumen coupled with his knowledge of Marvel’s intellectual properties and policies have been of enormous benefit to us during the studio’s formation and first two releases,” said Feige. “We are pleased Tim is taking on a more significant business role, especially as others on the team and I focus on the ever-growing creative demands and opportunities as we bring our characters to the big screen.”
Connors stated: “Marvel has one of the most promising businesses in the entertainment sector, and I am thrilled to work with David and Kevin and the rest of the executive management team in this new role. We have an exciting time ahead, and I look forward to contributing in a meaningful way.”
Prior to joining Marvel Studios in 2006, Connors worked at Technicolor where he served as Deputy General Counsel for Electronic Distribution Services. Connors also served in Business Affairs at DreamWorks SKG and as a Business Development Consultant for the Tokyo-based media company, Kadokawa Group Holdings.
Marvel Studios recently announced an agreement with Raleigh Studios to film each of its next four films including Iron Man 2, Thor, The First Avenger: Captain America and The Avengers at Raleigh Studio’s facility in Manhattan Beach, CA. In addition to developing its own production slate, Marvel Studios is also working with Twentieth Century Fox on X-Men Origins: Wolverine which is in production and slated for release on May 1, 2009, as well as with Sony Pictures on Spider-Man 4 which is currently in development.
