Tom Rothman Named New Head of Sony Pictures

Sony Pictures Entertainment on Tuesday named Tom Rothman as new chairman of its motion picture group, a major move after a massive cyberattack devastated the entertainment giant.

Rothman will succeed Amy Pascal, who said earlier this month she was stepping down in the wake of the hack.

Rothman joined Sony in 2013 and currently heads its TriStar unit. He previously ran Fox Filmed Entertainment from 2000-2012.

"Tom's creativity, strong talent relationships and track record of enduring films and commercial success are unparalleled in this industry and exactly what we are looking for to grow our film business," Sony Pictures Entertainment Chairman and CEO Michael Lynton said in a statement.

Rothman said he was "grateful and humbled" by the appointment.

Sony also announced that Lynton's contract had been extended. As CEO of Sony Entertainment, Lynton will continue to oversee Sony's global entertainment businesses.

At the helm of Fox Filmed, Rothman's track record included the two highest grossing films in cinematic history, "Titanic" and "Avatar," Sony said.

Pascal resigned this month following a scandal caused by the publication of embarrassing emails that were leaked in the hack attack on the Hollywood studio blamed on North Korea.

Pascal was forced to apologize in December for the emails, including one which saw her swap racially insensitive jokes about US President Barack Obama.

She is staying with Sony to launch a "major new production venture."