PEOPLE : Fox’s Sherak Adds Title of Executive VP

Tom Sherak, president of marketing and distribution at 20th Century Fox, has been moved into a new position that will make him the studio’s point man for independent producers. In his new role as executive vice president, Sherak will also continue overseeing the studio’s sales and marketing and will become involved in some areas of filmmaking.

But Fox Chairman Joe Roth stressed that he wants Sherak to “actively seek out some of the producers and directors who have worked for Fox over the seven years he has been with the company.” Sherak, Roth said, will be charged with bringing more of those independents into the studio’s fold to make movies for Fox. The studio already has distribution deals in place with independents Largo Entertainment and Morgan Creek Productions.

At Fox, Sherak has supervised the marketing of such films as “Romancing the Stone,” “Working Girl,” “Aliens” and “Die Hard.” Before joining Fox in 1983, Sherak was vice president and chief film buyer for General Cinema.