Lionsgate promotes Goldsmith to co-COO

SANTA MONICA, Calif. -- Lionsgate has promoted Brian Goldsmith to co-chief operating officer.

The entertainment company said Friday that Goldsmith will lead its corporate development activities, its growing platform of channels and its digital initiatives.

Goldsmith most recently served as executive vice president of corporate development and strategy, a post he'd held since September 2008. He will serve as co-COO with Steve Beeks and will report to CEO Jon Feltheimer.

Goldsmith previously served as COO and chief financial officer of Mandate Pictures and its predecessor company Senator International. He became part of Lionsgate when Mandate was acquired by the company in September 2007.

Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. has headquarters in Santa Monica, California, but is based in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Lions Gate finished at $15.70 per share on Thursday. Its shares traded at a 52-week high of $16.19 in mid-March. They traded as low $6.76 per share last October.