Sony's Mike Wald to Retire After 32 Years; Spivak, Littmann Promoted

Sony Pictures Television co-president of distribution and networks Mike Wald will retire at year's end after 32 years with the studio, the company announced Thursday.

The move follows the earlier exit announcement of Flory Bramnick, executive VP of North America distribution, who is leaving after 24 years.

What changes at the top?

Jason Spivak and Paul Littmann will jointly lead the distribution and networks group as co-presidents, reporting to Sony Pictures TV chairman Keith Le Goy.

Spivak had been co-president of distribution and networks; Littmann had been executive VP of global distribution for Sony Pictures TV.

"Jason and Paul know our business, our content and our partners incredibly well and they bring the experience, ambition and judgment to continue driving the organization forward," Le Goy said in a memo to staff. "I am excited about what they will accomplish together."

Who else is moving up?

• Mark Young will become executive VP and head of international, expanding his current EMEA oversight to include LATAM and APAC. He reports to Spivak and Littmann.
• Monica Veiga, already executive VP of TV distribution for North America, will expand her remit to cover the broader North America business after Bramnick's exit.

Where is Sony heading next?

The studio will push deeper into YouTube, FAST (free ad-supported streaming television) channels, and other digital and performance-based platforms, and will hire a new leader to run its YouTube and digital business reporting to Spivak and Littmann.

"We have strong momentum across the business, including in areas with significant potential for continued growth such as YouTube, FAST, digital platforms and other performance-based models," Le Goy wrote. "Our independence gives us a unique advantage in pursuing these opportunities, with the flexibility to move quickly, work across virtually every major platform and market and continually find new ways to maximize the value and reach of our content."

He closed the memo: "Our business moves fast; we will move faster."

What is Wald's legacy?

Wald's tenure at Sony spanned the U.S., Asia and Europe. He began in corporate development at Culver City and Hong Kong during a period of growth across Asian entertainment markets, helped develop and launch AXN Asia and SET India, later led the global pay television team in Los Angeles, then distribution across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, before assuming broader global leadership.

Le Goy credited Wald and Bramnick for shaping the company: "I have had the distinct privilege of working closely with Mike and Flory for many years, and it is hard to overstate the impact they have had on our business and the people around them."

Bramnick joined Sony in 2002 in strategic sales, and rose to lead distribution of Sony's film and television content across platforms in the U.S. and Canada, building long-running partnerships with key customers.

The overhaul sets up Sony Pictures TV for a digital-led distribution phase, with Spivak and Littmann tasked with extending the studio's library reach across streaming, free ad-supported services and social video — markets where traditional pay-TV relationships no longer guarantee scale.