Effective this week, COO Andrew Gumpert is exiting his role after including Nickelodeon Studios to Paramount studios in March. The announcement came from studio boss Brian Robbins yesterday night.
It’s reported that Gumpert’s exit was amicable, with the former COO saying: “I’ve been contemplating the next chapter of my career, and I’m excited to figure out what’s next. I am confident that this organization will continue to lead the industry.”
President of Business Affairs and Administration, Courtney Armstrong, will take up the role once Gumpert leaves and will have strategic planning and labor relations responsibilities. Randall Baumberger, Studio Group’s President, will oversee Studio Operations. Both Armstrong and Baumberger will report to Robbins.
Robbins will focus exclusively on the Nickelodeon side of the studio. Gumpert’s exit comes during the Melrose lot turmoil, with layoffs looming due to the integration of Showtime into Paramount+. Because of the merger, Showtime has canceled some series, such as: Let the Right One In, American Gigolo, and Three Women.
In 2017 Gumpert joined Paramount as COO. Robbins had nothing but good things to say about his former COO, praising: “successfully strengthened” the studios’ relationships “across all aspects of our business, overseeing negotiations with our strategic, creative, and financial partners and licensees, and collaborating with our teams to expand and evolve our revenue sources.”
“The opportunity to lead and work alongside all of my incredible Paramount colleagues has been an exceptional privilege,” Gumpert said in a message by Robbins. “Together, we have achieved amazing things, and I will always be grateful for your partnership.”
Before joining Paramount, Gumpert was the President of Worldwide Business Affairs and Operations for the SPE Motion Picture Group. In that role, he oversaw negotiations for the studio’s productions and managed the studio’s financial partnerships with entities, including Lonestar capital, Village Roadshow, and MGM. Gumpert started his career as a business litigator with Hill, Wynne, Troop, and Meisinger law firm.
Robbins’ full internal memo here.
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