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AMC Theatres has promoted Nikkole Denson-Randolph to senior VP and U.S. chief content officer. She’s replacing the cinema chain’s long-time head of worldwide programming and chief content officer Elizabeth Frank, who is departing to serve as CEO of RealD, one of the leading providers of 3D cinema technology.
In Denson-Randolph’s new role, she will oversee AMC’s domestic film programming, content acquisition, and movie strategy initiatives, along with AMC’s studio and creative community relationships. Denson-Randolph will be based in Los Angeles and will report directly to AMC’s chairman and CEO Adam Aron. She will also serve on AMC’s executive committee.
Denson-Randolph has spent 16 years at AMC Theatres, most recently spearheading the planning and execution of the company’s successful concert films, “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour” and “Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé.” She also helped to launch AMC Artisan Films, a program designed to curate artist-driven films.
“Nikkole Denson-Randolph’s vision, creativity, and unmatched expertise in the film industry have played a vital role in AMC’s success over the past 16 years,” Aron said in a statement. “Her ability to identify diverse content, elevate unique cinematic voices, and innovate attendance-driving programs has positioned AMC as a leader in showcasing films that resonate with all audiences. She is highly respected internally at AMC and throughout the entertainment industry. I have every confidence that we won’t miss a beat as the baton is passed from Elizabeth Frank to Nikkole.”
Denson-Randolph previously served as Starbucks Coffee’s director of business development for its entertainment division as well as president of Magic Johnson Entertainment.
“I am honored to take on this incredible opportunity to lead AMC’s film operations in the United States during such an exciting time for the industry. Movies remain a universal language, and AMC is at the forefront of bringing exceptional stories to life on the big screen. I look forward to building on our strong legacy and ensuring that audiences everywhere have access to an extraordinary cinematic experience at AMC Theatres.”
As part of the leadership transition, Juan Antonio Gomez, Odeon Cinema Group’s chief partnership and content officer, will lead all film and content programming internationally for AMC Entertainment’s movie theaters outside the United States. Based in London, he will continue to report to Mark Way, AMC’s president of Europe and managing director of Odeon Cinemas Group. Gomez will continue to serve on the executive committee of Odeon.
“At the same time, I have every confidence that Juan Antonio Gomez will continue to apply his unique industry knowledge to programming our international screens,” Aron said. “As I have scoured the movie theatre business across Europe, it has become very clear to me that no one matches Juan Antonio’s ability to get the job done well.”
During her 15-year tenure, Frank helped in growing AMC from the second-largest theatrical exhibitor in the United States into the largest in the world through acquisitions of Carmike Cinemas, London-based Odeon & UCI Cinemas and Nordic Cinema Group.
“Elizabeth Frank has played a crucial role in AMC’s evolution, and she has delivered for us over and over again,” Aron said. “We thank her for her dedication to AMC and are thrilled for her that she has been offered a CEO role, especially so because RealD is an important programming partner for both AMC and Odeon. As an example of its relevance to AMC, RealD 3D generated $145 million of AMC’s domestic box office in 2024. I am hopeful that Elizabeth can spark growth for RealD 3D, which in turn has the prospect of greatly benefiting AMC and Odeon financially as a result.”
Frank called her time at AMC “deeply rewarding, both professionally and personally.”
“Through my role at AMC, I have experienced first-hand the potential for 3D to enhance the moviegoing experience and increase a movie’s box office performance,” she said. “I am excited to join RealD now, as industry dynamics position 3D for tremendous growth.”