Robert Simonds

Robert Simonds
Born Robert Bruce Simonds Jr.
1964 (age 53–54)
Phoenix, Arizona, US
Nationality American
Other names Bob Simonds
Alma mater Yale University
Occupation Film producer
Chairman & CEO,
STX Entertainment
Years active 1990–present
Known for Cheaper by the Dozen, Big Daddy, The Wedding Singer
Spouse(s)
Anne Oughton Biondi (m. 1999)

Robert Bruce Simonds Jr. (born 1964) is an American film producer, entrepreneur and the founder, chairman and CEO of STX Entertainment, which creates, produces, distributes, finances and markets film (as STXfilms), television (as STXtelevision), digital media (as STXdigital), and live events and virtual reality (as STXsurreal).[1] The company bridges the gap between China and the US, with additional partnerships around the globe (as STXinternational). According to The Wall Street Journal, in its first four years, Simonds more than tripled the company's valuation to an estimated US$3.5 billion.[2][3] In September 2017, it was reported that STX Entertainment may be close to an initial public offering on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (SEHK).[2] In April 2018, the company announced it had filed for an IPO on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.[4] Prior to STX, Simonds was an independent film producer whose over 30 films have generated more than $6 billion in worldwide box office revenue.[5]

Early life and education

Simonds was born in Phoenix, Arizona, the son of Robert Bruce Simonds Sr., a businessman. He graduated from Yale University.[6]

Producing

From 1990 to 2012, Simonds produced over 30 Hollywood studio films, including the Adam Sandler films Billy Madison, Happy Gilmore, The Wedding Singer, Big Daddy and The Waterboy; Cheaper by the Dozen and The Pink Panther starring Steve Martin; and This Means War with Academy Award-winning actress Reese Witherspoon and Tom Hardy. Simonds has also produced a number of highly-profitable cult films, including Joe Dirt and Half Baked.[1][5][7] Based on his producing credits, Simonds has had the single best studio track record for profitability on his films.[8]

STX Entertainment

Formation

In 2012, Simonds and Bill McGlashan, founder and managing partner of private equity firm TPG Growth, began conceptualizing and building a film, television and multimedia company that would make, market and distribute star-driven, commercial content to be distributed worldwide.[9][10] In 2014, STX Entertainment was formally launched with financing led by TPG Growth, and the company later secured investments from Chinese private equity firm Hony Capital and other individuals including Gigi Pritzker and William "Beau" Wrigley, Jr. II.[1]

Serving as chairman and CEO of STX, Simonds hired entertainment industry veterans to build his executive team including former Viacom Entertainment Group COO Thomas B. McGrath[11] and former CEO of Crest Animation Noah Fogelson.[11] Former Universal Pictures chairman Adam Fogelson[12] and former Disney and Fox production and marketing chief Oren Aviv soon followed.[13] Discovery Communications' former CFO Andrew Warren[14] and former Paramount Pictures and Condé Nast communications head Patricia Röckenwagner later joined the executive team.[15]

The company has multiple divisions: film (STXfilms), which includes animation and family content; television (STXtelevision), which includes scripted and unscripted content; and digital media (STXdigital), which includes live events and virtual reality (STXsurreal); along with an international partnership and distribution arm headquartered in London (STXinternational).

In 2016, the company received additional investment from Chinese Internet company Tencent and Hong Kong-based telecommunications company PCCW, and East West Bank's chairman and CEO Dominic Ng.[16] In 2017, the world's largest international television and broadband company Liberty Global invested an undisclosed amount in the company.[17] Funds from that round of financing will be used to continue to build STX Entertainment's TV division, further expand internationally and potentially make acquisitions.[2]

STX Entertainment's Board of Directors is composed of investors and industry veterans including: Simonds, McGlashan, David Bonderman (founding partner of TPG Capital), John Zhao (CEO of Hony Capital), Gigi Pritzker (founder of MWM Studios), Janice Lee (managing director of PCCW Media Group), Tracy Cui (managing director of Hony Capital), Frank Biondi (former president and CEO of Viacom and former chairman and CEO of Universal Studios; senior managing director of WaterView Advisors), Dominic Ng (chairman and CEO of East West Bank), Carmen Chang (chairman of New Enterprise Associates), and Bruce Mann (chief programming officer of Liberty Global).

STXfilms

At launch, the film division of STX focused its efforts on creating a new model. Rather than pursuing the traditional distribution process, the company secured direct distribution agreements with North American theater chains AMC, Regal, Cinemark, Goodrich, Marcus Theatres and Carmike Cinemas.[18] In early 2015, the company signed a multi-year television output agreement to release films exclusively to Showtime Networks and its multiplex channels Showtime, TMC and Flix, covering STX theatrical releases through 2019.[19] In April 2015, the company entered a multi-year partnership with Universal Studios Home Entertainment for Universal to handle marketing, sales and distribution services for Blu-ray, DVD and VOD platforms for STX theatrical titles in North America.[20] That same month, STXfilms closed a three-year slate deal with Huayi Brothers, one of China's largest film studios, enabling the companies to co-produce and co-distribute 12 to 15 films annually.[21] In 2015, STXfilms acquired its first film at the Toronto International Film Festival, purchasing the worldwide rights to Hardcore Henry for $10 million USD.[22] In January 2017, STXfilms signed a three-year marketing and distribution agreement with Luc Besson's EuropaCorp Films USA to release their upcoming slate of films.[23]

STXfilms projects have included Bad Moms;[24] Molly's Game;[25] I Feel Pretty;[26] Gringo with Amazon Studios;[27] The Gift, written, co-produced and directed by Joel Edgerton;[28] The Edge of Seventeen;[29] The Foreigner starring Jackie Chan;[30] Secret in Their Eyes starring Nicole Kidman and Julia Roberts;[31] The Boy;[32] and Free State of Jones starring Matthew McConaughey.[33] STXfilms has announced The Happytime Murders starring Melissa McCarthy;[34] an untitled romantic comedy developed by and starring Anne Hathaway;[35] and Second Act, a romantic comedy starring Jennifer Lopez and directed by Peter Segal.[36] In 2017, STXfilms announced a partnership with the Uglydoll brand, a line of plush characters created by David Horvath. The UglyDolls film will be produced by Robert Rodriguez, director of the Spy Kids film franchise, and will feature the voice of Pitbull.[37] In 2018, Hasbro was named as the master toy licensee for the franchise.[38]

STXtelevision

In 2014, the television division’s first project was the 13-episode series State of Affairs, starring Katherine Heigl and Alfre Woodard, which was sold to NBC.[39][40] In 2015, STXtelevision produced the NBC pilot Problem Child, based on the 1990 film of the same name.[41] In April 2016, the STXtelevision Chinese variety show Number One Surprise premiered on Hunan TV, and became the #1 show in China with over 1 billion total views.[42][43] In May 2017, STXtelevision announced it had acquired the first TV project from Kevin Kwan, author of Crazy Rich Asians.[44] In November 2017, STXtelevision announced Valley of the Boom, a docudrama about the 1990s tech boom from showrunner and director Matthew Carnahan and executive producer Arianna Huffington, set to air on NatGeo.[45] STXtelevision produced season 23 of True Life, which aired on MTV in 2017. In February 2018, Fox and STXtelevision announced it is developing an unscripted series based on STXfilms' Bad Moms.[46]

STXdigital

In August 2016, STXdigital acquired virtual reality (VR) studio Surreal, renaming it STXsurreal. Founded in 2015, in its first year Surreal produced over 70 immersive VR experiences.[47] In June 2017, STXsurreal announced a partnership with media services agency Horizon Media to develop and produce VR and immersive content for the brand's new UNCVR unit.[48] In 2018, STXsurreal announced a slate of original projects including The Limit, a live-action, short-form series from Robert Rodriguez and starring Michelle Rodriguez;[49] New Tricks, directed and produced by Ed Helms;[50] and The Kiev Exchange, a spinoff of STXfilms' Mile 22.[50] In December 2017, it was announced that STXdigital acquired the exclusive Chinese distribution rights to Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve from Dick Clark Productions (dcp), along with the Chinese distribution rights to the 2018 Golden Globes broadcast from dcp and the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.[51] STXdigital and Tencent partnered to broadcast both shows on Tencent Video.[52] In January 2018, the companies announced they would also co-produce a live Chinese-language Golden Globes red carpet pre-show, to air live with the telecast.[53]

STXinternational

In April 2016, a dedicated international division (STXinternational) opened. Headquartered in London, the division is led by former Film4 head David Kosse.[54] The division launched with a slate of six films that included Andy Serkis's directorial debut Breathe (which opened the 2017 London Film Festival),[55] Home Again starring Reese Witherspoon, and Wind River starring Jeremy Renner and Elizabeth Olsen.[56] Additional titles on the STXinternational slate include Ridley Scott's All the Money in the World, Morten Tyldum's The Marsh King's Daughter and Bart Layton's American Animals, and titles from the main STXfilms slate.[57]

IPO

In September 2017, it was reported that STX may be close to an initial public offering on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (SEHK). While based in the US, the company has numerous corporate and business relationships with China, and it has been reported that a listing on the SEHK could make it easier for Chinese companies to invest in Hollywood films. STX was valued at $1.5 billion in 2016. In September 2017, the Wall Street Journal stated that the company could be valued at $3.5 billion after raising an additional $500 million following the IPO.[2][58][3] In April 2018, the company announced it had filed for IPO on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. J. P. Morgan and Goldman Sachs are STX's sponsors for the IPO.[4]

Accolades

In 2014, for his work at STX, Simonds was featured as one of Hollywood's top dealmakers in Variety magazine's Dealmakers Impact Report.[59] The Hollywood Reporter named Simonds one of the 100 Most Powerful People in Entertainment in their first and second annual rankings in 2016[60] and in 2017.[61] In 2017, Variety featured Simonds on their first annual Variety500: Entertainment Leaders and Icons list.[62]

Personal life

Simonds and his wife Anne live in Los Angeles with their son and four daughters.[6]

Filmography

As producer

#TitleYearStar(s)Domestic Box Office
1Problem Child1990John Ritter$53,470,891
2Problem Child 21991John Ritter$25,104,700
3Shout1991John Travolta$3,547,684
4Airheads1994Brendan Fraser, Steve Buscemi, Adam Sandler$5,751,882
5Billy Madison1995Adam Sandler$25,588,734
6Happy Gilmore1996Adam Sandler$38,824,099
7Bulletproof1996Damon Wayans, Adam Sandler$21,576,954
8That Darn Cat1997Christina Ricci$18,301,610
9Leave It to Beaver1997Christopher McDonald$10,925,060
10Half Baked1998Dave Chappelle$17,460,020
11The Wedding Singer1998Adam Sandler, Drew Barrymore$80,245,725
12Dirty Work1998Norm Macdonald, Artie Lange$10,023,282
13The Waterboy1998Adam Sandler$161,491,646
14Big Daddy1999Adam Sandler$163,479,795
15Screwed2000Norm Macdonald, Dave Chappelle$7,027,345
16Little Nicky2000Adam Sandler$39,464,775
17Head over Heels2001Freddie Prinze Jr.$10,424,470
18See Spot Run2001David Arquette$33,357,476
19Joe Dirt2001David Spade$27,087,695
20Corky Romano2001Chris Kattan$23,980,304
21Just Married2003Ashton Kutcher, Brittany Murphy$56,127,162
22Cheaper by the Dozen2003Steve Martin$138,614,544
23Taxi2004Queen Latifah, Jimmy Fallon$36,611,066
24Herbie: Fully Loaded2005Lindsay Lohan$66,023,816
25Rebound2005Martin Lawrence$16,809,014
26Yours, Mine and Ours2005Dennis Quaid$53,412,862
27The Pink Panther2006Steve Martin, Beyoncé$82,226,474
28The Shaggy Dog2006Tim Allen$61,123,569
29License to Wed2007Robin Williams, John Krasinski$43,799,818
30The Pink Panther 22009Steve Martin$35,922,978
31The Spy Next Door2010Jackie Chan$24,307,086
32Furry Vengeance2010Brendan Fraser$17,630,465
33This Means War2012Reese Witherspoon, Tom Hardy, Chris Pine$54,760,791

Television

As executive producer

NameFormatNetworkYear(s)
Problem ChildAnimatedUSA1993-94
State of AffairsDramaNBC2014-15

References

  1. 1 2 3 Anita Bush, "Is This Hollywood's Next Major Studio?" Deadline Hollywood, March 13, 2014.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Wayne Ma and Julie Steinberg, "'Bad Moms' Movie Studio Plans Hong Kong IPO," Wall Street Journal, September 27, 2017.
  3. 1 2 Anita Busch, "STX To Launch IPO On Hong Kong Stock Exchange In 2018," Deadline.com, September 27, 2017.
  4. 1 2 David Ng, "STX Entertainment files for planned IPO in Hong Kong," Los Angeles Times, April 26, 2018.
  5. 1 2 Robert Simonds Movie Box Office Results
  6. 1 2 "Robert Simonds Jr., Anne Biondi", New York Times, September 19, 1999.
  7. ↑ Tim Carvell, "His Films Are Low on Taste, High on Profits," Fortune, November 23, 1998.
  8. ↑ "Deadline Hollywood - What Does It Matter If All Costs Aren’t Calculated In?" Deadline.com, January 2014.
  9. ↑ Anita Busch, "Is This Hollywood’s Next Major Studio? Bob Simonds & TPG Growth’s Venture Fully Financed, JP Morgan Says; Hiring, Deals To Start In Earnest," Deadline Hollywood, March 13, 2014.
  10. ↑ Tad Friend, "The Mogul of the Middle," The New Yorker, January 11, 2016.
  11. 1 2 "New Movie Studio Is Formed, With China and Self-Distribution in Mind". New York Times. Retrieved October 9, 2013.
  12. ↑ "Adam Fogelson Hired as Motion Picture Head by STX" Deadline Anita Busch September 24, 2014
  13. ↑ "Oren Aviv Joins Robert Simonds' New Film and TV Studio". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 9, 2013.
  14. ↑ Dave McNary, "STX Taps Discovery’s Andrew Warren as Chief Financial Officer," Variety, February 13, 2017.
  15. ↑ James Rainey, "STX Entertainment Names Patricia Rockenwagner Chief Communications Officer," Variety, December 14, 2016.
  16. ↑ Ryan Faughnder, "STX Entertainment secures funding from China's Tencent and PCCW," Los Angeles Times, August 11, 2016.
  17. ↑ Wayne Ma, "Fledgling Studio STX Secures Investment from Malone's Liberty Global," Wall Street Journal, November 30, 2017.
  18. ↑ "Robert Simonds, Gigi Pritzker Pact with TPG, China’s Hony Capital on Production Venture," Variety, March 10, 2014.
  19. ↑ Dave McNary, "STX Entertainment, Showtime Announce TV Output Deal and First 4 Films," Variety, January 20, 2015.
  20. ↑ Rebecca Ford, "STX Entertainment Signs Pact With Universal Studios Home Entertainment," The Hollywood Reporter, April 7, 2015.
  21. ↑ "China's Huayi Bros. Media closes film slate deal with STX Entertainment". LA Times. Retrieved November 23, 2015.
  22. ↑ "STX Entertainment Closing Deal For 'Hardcore': $10 Million And Wide Release Commitment –Toronto". Deadline Hollywood. 2015-09-18. Retrieved 2015-09-19.
  23. ↑ Brent Lang and Elsa Keslassy, "EuropaCorp, STX Enter Distribution and Marketing Agreement, ‘Valerian’ Part of Deal," Variety, January 3, 2017.
  24. ↑ Anthony D'Alessandro, "'Bad Moms' Sleeps Its Way To The Top Of The B.O.; Becomes STX's First $100M Domestic Hit," Deadline.com, September 3, 2016.
  25. ↑ Scott Mendelson, "With Jessica Chastain's 'Molly's Game,' STX Continues To Bet On Women," Forbes, August 15, 2017.
  26. ↑ Mike Fleming Jr, "STXfilms Buys Amy Schumer Pic 'I Feel Pretty': Cannes," Deadline.com, May 25, 2017.
  27. ↑ Anita Busch, "Nash Edgerton Film Starring David Oyelowo, Charlize Theron Gets Title, Release Date," Deadline.com, May 19, 2017.
  28. ↑ Mannie Holmes, "Joel Edgerton, Jason Bateman Celebrate STX Entertainment’s First Premiere of ‘The Gift’," Variety, July 31, 2015.
  29. ↑ Pete Hammond, "With ‘The Edge Of Seventeen’, Toronto Saves One Of The Best For Last," Deadline.com, September 16, 2016.
  30. ↑ Nancy Tartaglione, "'The Foreigner's Wayne Marc Godfrey On Decade-Long Journey; STX/Sparkle Roll China Co-Pro Soon Passing $100M Offshore," Deadline.com, October 27, 2017.
  31. ↑ Nancy Tartaglione, "....Acquired by STX" Deadline.com, December 2, 2014.
  32. ↑ Nancy Tartaglione, "STX/Lakeshore Horror Pic ‘The Boy’ Scares Up China Release Date Via Huayi," Deadline.com, March 16, 2016.
  33. ↑ Nancy Tartaglione, "IM Global Strategy Pays Off With Strong Sales On ‘Free State Of Jones’ & More – AFM," Deadline.com, November 17, 2014.
  34. ↑ Dave McNary, "Melissa McCarthy to Star in Puppet Comedy 'Happytime Murders'," Variety, May 2, 2017.
  35. ↑ Max Evry, "Anne Hathaway to star in untitled romantic comedy for STX," ComingSoon.net, May 23, 2017.
  36. ↑ Mia Galuppo, "Jennifer Lopez to Star in Romantic Comedy 'Second Act' for STX," The Hollywood Reporter, June 22, 2017.
  37. ↑ Maane Khatchatourian, "Robert Rodriguez to Direct 'Ugly Dolls' Animated Film for STX," Variety, March 28, 2017.
  38. ↑ Brent Lang, "STX Taps Hasbro to Handle Uglydolls Toys," Variety, February 27, 2018.
  39. ↑ James Hibberd, "Katherine Heigl drama plus 2 more get NBC series orders," Entertainment Weekly, May 6, 2014.
  40. ↑ Saba Hamedy, "TV ratings: NBC wins key demo; 'State of Affairs' has decent premiere," Los Angeles Times, November 18, 2014.
  41. ↑ Nellie Andreeva, "‘Problem Child’ Comedy Based On Movie Gets NBC Pilot Order," Deadline.com, January 29, 2015.
  42. ↑ Patrick Brzeski, "STX Entertainment Scores Ratings Hit With First TV Show Made for China," The Hollywood Reporter, January 5, 2017.
  43. ↑ Matt Donnelly, "STX Entertainment Struggles With Flops, Executive Exits and a Shift in Strategy," TheWrap, March 27, 2017.
  44. ↑ Rebecca Sun, "'Crazy Rich Asians' Author Developing Scripted Series With STX," The Hollywood Reporter, May 4, 2017.
  45. ↑ Denise Petski, "Nat Geo Greenlights Silicon Valley-Themed Limited Series From Matthew Carnahan, Arianna Huffington & StxTV," Deadline Hollywood, November 15, 2017.
  46. ↑ Michael O'Connell, "Fox Developing 'Bad Moms' Unscripted Series," The Hollywood Reporter, February 8, 2018.
  47. ↑ Lucas Matney, "STX Entertainment acquires VR studio Surreal," TechCrunch, August 23, 2016.
  48. ↑ Carolyn Giardina, "Horizon Media Launches Virtual Reality Unit UNCVR; Partners With STXsurreal," The Hollywood Reporter, June 8, 2017.
  49. ↑ Jon Fingas, "Robert Rodriguez preps VR action series 'The Limit'," Engadget, February 14, 2018.
  50. 1 2 Anita Busch, "STXSurreal Unveils Development Slate With Ed Helms, Dave Bautista, Peter Berg, And Kevin Smith’s ‘Jay And Silent Bob’," Deadline.com, April 4, 2018.
  51. ↑ Anita Busch, "STX, Dick Clark Prods. Will Distribute ‘New Year’s Rockin’ Eve’ In China," Deadline.com, December 21, 2017.
  52. ↑ Patrick Brzeski, "Jason Statham Developing Action Film With STX, China's Tencent Pictures," The Hollywood Reporter, January 16, 2018.
  53. ↑ Patrick Brzeski, "STX Partners With Tencent on Golden Globes Broadcast in China," The Hollywood Reporter, January 5, 2018.
  54. ↑ Matt Mueller, "STX interview: president Sophie Watts on David Kosse's arrival and European distribution plans," Screen Daily, April 1, 2016.
  55. ↑ Gwilym Mumford, "Andy Serkis directorial debut Breathe to open 61st London film festival," The Guardian, June 29, 2017.
  56. ↑ Dave McNary, "STX Announces Five-Film U.K. Slate, Opens International Headquarters in London," Variety, February 8, 2017.
  57. ↑ Nancy Tartaglione, "STX Snatches International Rights To Ridley Scott’s Getty Kidnap Thriller ‘All The Money In The World’," Deadline.com, May 20, 2017.
  58. ↑ Patrick Frater, "STX Eyeing $3.5 Billion Hong Kong IPO in 2018," Variety, September 27, 2017.
  59. ↑ Dealmakers Impact Report, Variety, 2014.
  60. ↑ "The THR 100: Hollywood Reporter's Most Powerful People in Entertainment," The Hollywood Reporter, June 22, 2016.
  61. ↑ "The THR 100: Hollywood Reporter's Most Powerful People in Entertainment," The Hollywood Reporter, June 21, 2017.
  62. ↑ Robert Simonds, Variety 500, 2017.
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