AMC Entertainment has promoted Nikkole Denson-Randolph — a key player in bringing Taylor Swift’s blockbuster Eras Tour to cinemas — to senior vice president and chief content officer in the U.S. She’ll report directly to AMC chairman-CEO Adam Aron as she works with Hollywood studios and indie distributors to book movies, and continues to seek out alternative content.
Overseas, Juan Antonio Gomez will now lead all film and content programing internationally. Gomez is chief partnership and content officer at Odeon Cinemas Group, a wholly owned subsidiary of AMC that is Europe’s largest cinema operator.
The leadership transition coincides with news that AMC’s long-time head of worldwide programming and chief content officer Elizabeth Frank is departing after 15 years to serve as CEO of RealD, a leading global provider of 3D cinema technology and AMC’s largest 3D partner. She succeeds Travis Reid and officially takes over on Feb. 15.
AMC credits her for helping to grow the company from the second-largest theatrical exhibitor in the U.S. into a global powerhouse. It’s the largest theater circuit both in the U.S. and in the world.
“Elizabeth Frank has played a crucial role in AMC’s evolution, and she has delivered for us over and over again. We thank her for her dedication to AMC and are thrilled for her that she has been offered a CEO role,” Aron said in a statement. “As an example of its relevance to AMC, RealD 3D generated $145 million of AMC’s domestic box office in 2024. I am hopeful that Elizabeth can spark growth for RealD 3D, which in turn has the prospect of greatly benefiting AMC and Odeon financially as a result.”
In commenting on her shift in course, Frank said, “Being a part of AMC’s innovation and expansion has been deeply rewarding for me, both professionally and personally. Through my role at AMC, I have experienced first-hand the potential for 3D to enhance the moviegoing experience and increase a movie’s box office performance. I am excited to join RealD now, as industry dynamics position 3D for tremendous growth.”
In her new role at AMC, Denson-Randolph will handle film programming, content acquisition and movie strategy initiatives, along with AMC’s studio and creative community relationships. Based in Los Angeles, she’ll now have a seat on the company’s executive committee.
Gomez, chief partnership and content officer at Odeon Cinemas Group, will lead all film and content programming internationally for AMC Entertainment’s movie theaters outside the U.S.. Based in London, he will continue to report to Mark Way, president, AMC Europe & managing director of Odeon Cinemas Group. Gomez will continue to serve on the Executive Committee of Odeon.
Denson-Randolph and Gomez will collaborate to ensure that a comprehensive array of film and alternative content continues to be seen on the big screens of AMC and Odeon, as well as strengthen relationships with filmmakers and studios around the world.
Denson led the planning and execution of AMC Theatres Distribution’s two concert films, Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour, and Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé. In her most recent role as senior vice president, content strategy & inclusive programming, she also has worked closely with the major studios through her leadership of AMC’s Programming Promotions team, which leverages AMC’s in-theatre and digital moviegoer engagement to stimulate more frequent moviegoing.
“Nikkole Denson-Randolph’s vision, creativity, and unmatched expertise in the film industry have played a vital role in AMC’s success over the past 16 years,” remarked Aron. “Her ability to identify diverse content, elevate unique cinematic voices, and innovate attendance-driving programs has positioned AMC as a leader in showcasing films that resonate with all audiences. I have every confidence that we won’t miss a beat as the baton is passed from Elizabeth Frank to Nikkole.”
Denson-Randolph, who previously served as director of business development for Starbucks Coffee Company’s entertainment group, and as president of Magic Johnson Entertainment, said, “I am honored to take on this incredible opportunity to lead AMC’s film operations. Movies remain a universal language, and AMC is at the forefront of bringing exceptional stories to life on the big screen.”
Aron also praised Gomez, whom he said “will continue to apply his unique industry knowledge to programming our international screens. As I have scoured the movie theater business across Europe, it has become very clear to me that no one matches Juan Antonio’s ability to get the job done well. Odeon is fortunate to have such a top-tier player in his key leadership role.”
“Since AMC acquired Odeon in 2016, it has been fulfilling for us to jointly evolve into becoming the largest movie theater company across the globe,” said Gomez. “As the box office builds, these are exciting times for our industry, and I look forward to continuing to help lead the way internationally for AMC Entertainment.”
During her tenure at AMC, Frank and her teams developed programming, promotion and pricing capabilities that enabled Hollywood studios to maximize box office.
“As the movie business and broader experience economy continue to evolve, the consumer appetite for immersive experiences like RealD 3D is stronger than ever,” said Frank in a separate statement put out RealD. “With groundbreaking technological advancements across the industry, the consumer audience for theatrical 3D is poised to expand dramatically. RealD is on the forefront of this expansion, supporting filmmakers, studios and cinemas around the world in realizing the great potential of 3D.”
To maximize RealD’s reach, Frank said she is committed to providing cinemas globally with access to affordable, cutting-edge technology solutions.
3D technology has endured dramatic ups and downs in recent times, although in 2024, nine of the top 10 highest-grossing films globally played in RealD. Disney’s Deadpool vs Wolverine and Inside Out 2 each generated nearly $95 million in RealD global box office grosses, highlighting the format’s appeal across diverse markets and demographics. The company operates 3D projection systems in over 7,000 theaters across 75 countries.
Said the outgoing Reid, “It has been a privilege to lead RealD through the last 9 transformative years.”
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