Imax Hires Netflix Exec Jonathan Fischer as Chief Content Officer

Imax has named Jonathan Fischer as chief content officer, to oversee the entertainment technology company’s content strategy around Hollywood tentpoles, international movie titles and other diversified content.

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Fischer, most recently vp of content strategy & analysis, global films for Netflix, will be based in Playa Vista and report to Imax CEO Rich Gelfond. His appointment comes on the heels of Imax tapping Anne Globe as its new chief marketing officer to oversee all brand, film marketing, creative and social media for the company.

As Imax recovers from the pandemic-era disruption to the wider exhibition industry, the company has looked to diversify its core slate of Hollywood blockbuster movies with local-language titles from China, India, Japan and other fast-growing markets as well as concerts and comedy and sports events that play well in its giant theaters.

“Imax is opening its aperture to offer a greater, more diverse content portfolio to audiences worldwide — including more than 100 different awe-inspiring experiences across Hollywood and international films, documentaries, music, sports and gaming in 2024 alone. Jonathan brings a wealth of proven experience that will be critical as more filmmakers and artists than ever seek to create for our platform,” Gelfond said in a statement.

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Fischer will be responsible for Imax documentaries, Imax Live events and other original theatrical experiences drawn from the music, gaming and sports worlds. “I’m excited to join Rich and the superb team he’s built. Imax gives audiences the most immersive entertainment experience, and I look forward to working with new and existing partners alike to bring even more great content to our fans,” Fischer said in his own statement.

The veteran Hollywood exec will lead a team that includes Imax head of global distribution Craig Dehmel, head of Imax post-production Bruce Markoe and head of Imax documentaries John Turner. And he will work alongside Imax’s newly-hired CMO Anne Globe as she also reports to Gelfond while overseeing all brand, film marketing, creative and social media for the company.

Before Netflix, Fischer completed executive stints like chief operating officer at both Illumination Entertainment and New Regency Entertainment. Fischer also served as the president of Groundswell Productions and CFO of indie production company Intrepid Pictures, and did executive stints at Universal Pictures and The Walt Disney Company.

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