Lions Gate marketing exec re-ups after 'Hunger'

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. said Wednesday that its chief marketing officer, Tim Palen, has signed a new long-term contract as chief marketing officer, following the blockbuster success of the first of movie planned in the series of "The Hunger Games."

The film has grossed more than $550 million at box offices worldwide since its debut in late March.

Palen, who joined Lions Gate in 2002, was also responsible for marketing campaigns for such movies as "The Expendables," ''Crash" and "Precious."

He will continue to oversee theatrical marketing campaigns and strategy for Lions Gate films in North America and supervise the company's corporate branding activities.