Tomas Jegeus named president of Fox International Productions

Veteran studio executive Tomas Jegeus has been named head of Fox International Productions, the 20th Century Fox division that produces and acquires local language movies.

He replaces Sanford Panitch, who was hired by Sony Pictures for a new, similar position in April.

Fox International Productions first launched in 2008 to capitalize on the growth of the movie business in countries outside the U.S. and Canada.

The division’s movies have grossed roughly $900 million over seven years. To put that in perspective, the broader studio amassed a box-office total of more than $5.5 billion worldwide last year alone.

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Jegeus, who is currently co-president of worldwide theatrical marketing and distribution for the Century City studio, will take the new job on Sept. 1. He will report to 20th Century Fox Co-Chairman Stacey Snider, who joined Fox last year from DreamWorks Studios.

Paul Hanneman, who serves as global marketing and distribution co-president alongside Jegeus, will continue to run those operations for the studio, the company said.

Jegeus first joined Fox in 1990 as the marketing director for its British office. In 2002 he moved to United International Productions to lead international marketing, but returned to Fox in 2004. He was named co-president of 20th Century Fox International the following year.

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