Executives

Kathy Jones

Executive Vice President, Marketing

Kathy Jones joined Participant Media as Executive Vice President of Marketing in January 2007.  Prior to that, she was a consultant for Participant, helping to guide the company through its first successes with GOOD NIGHT AND GOOD LUCK, SYRIANA and the global phenomenon of AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH.

Kathy first met her longtime business partner and friend, Buffy Shutt, when they both worked in Paramount Pictures’ publicity department in New York City, where Kathy was a field publicist and Buffy was a secretary. By the end of her stint at Paramount, Kathy had worked her way through the ranks to the post of Executive Vice President, Publicity and Promotion.

In 1989 Kathy joined Columbia Pictures, where she was named Executive Vice President of Marketing, eventually becoming responsible for TriStar Pictures marketing as well.  When the film divisions split again in 1991, Kathy went with TriStar.

In 1994, Kathy joined Universal Pictures and took the then-unusual title of co-President of Marketing. Two years later, Kathy was recognized by Women in Film with its highest honor, the Crystal Award, and served on their board for several years.

Over the years, Kathy has had the good fortune to work with many gifted filmmakers, including Steven Spielberg, Ron Howard, Warren Beatty, James Cameron, Mike Nichols, Jonathan Demme, George Miller, Terry Gilliam, Nora Ephron and Tom Shadyac on such memorable films as RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK, THE LOST WORLD: JURASSIC PARK, APOLLO 13, REDS, BUGSY, TERMINATOR 2: JUDGMENT DAY, POSTCARDS FROM THE EDGE, PHILADELPHIA, BABE, THE FISHER KING, SLEEPLESS IN SEATTLE, THE NUTTY PROFESSOR, LIAR LIAR and EVAN ALMIGHTY.
 
In 1998, Kathy ventured into independent production at Universal and, with Imagine Entertainment, produced Blue Crush, while also serving as a marketing consultant for such clients as Tom Shadyac and Participant Media.

Kathy has taught and guest lectured on marketing and producing at UCLA, USC (Peter Stark Program), Chapman University and The Art Center College of Design. She is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

What was your first job? My first real paid job was working for ABC Network TV News as a desk assistant

Who inspires you?   I’m inspired by anyone who finds joy in life, is true to themselves and is willing to share those experiences and insights with other people

What would you change about the world? I would put more emphasis on faith and less on religion.

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