Sony Pictures Entertainment Hires Jay Levine as Chief Strategy Officer

Sony Pictures Entertainment has made a significant hire by bringing on Jay Levine as EVP, chief strategy officer, and business operations. Levine, who most recently served as the CEO of Kevin Hart’s Hartbeat media company, will report directly to SPE president and CEO Ravi Ahuja. In his new role, Levine will be tasked with driving strategic growth initiatives, overseeing corporate development, investments, and M&A, as well as providing direct oversight of a portfolio of Sony Pictures Entertainment businesses and departments.

Levine’s experience at Hartbeat was marked by success, with notable projects such as the Emmy-nominated “Greatest Roast of All Time: Tom Brady” for Netflix and “Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist” for Peacock under his leadership. He also played a key role in renewing and restructuring Hartbeat’s partnerships with major companies like Netflix, NBCUniversal, Sirius XM, P&G, and Draft Kings.

Prior to his time at Hartbeat, Levine spent over a decade at Warner Bros. and WarnerMedia in various senior leadership positions. His responsibilities included leading business operations and strategy for the WarnerMedia Studios and Networks Group, overseeing a wide range of content businesses such as WB Pictures Group, HBO, Cartoon Network, and more.

Before his tenure at Warner Bros., Levine held positions at Disney and ESPN, gaining valuable experience in corporate strategy and business development. His diverse background and expertise make him a valuable addition to the Sony Pictures team.

In a statement, Ravi Ahuja expressed his excitement about bringing Jay Levine on board, citing his deep expertise, strong reputation, and collaborative spirit as assets that will drive the company’s growth. Levine, in turn, expressed his enthusiasm for the opportunity to work with the Sony Pictures leadership team to capitalize on expansion and growth opportunities in the ever-evolving media landscape.

With Jay Levine now in the fold, Sony Pictures Entertainment is positioned to leverage his strategic insights and leadership to navigate the complexities of the entertainment industry and drive continued success in the years to come.