London, UK and Auckland, NZ; June 14, 2017 – Movio, a Vista Group International (VGL) company and the global leader in marketing data analytics for the film industry, has appointed Gabriel Swartland Head of Client Services for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). The announcement was made today by Sarah Lewthwaite, the Managing Director & Senior Vice President of Movio, EMEA, to whom Mr. Swartland will report. Mr. Swartland was most recently Director of Communications for UK- based exhibitor Picturehouse Cinemas, directing marketing communications strategy for sales and corporate. 

Mr. Swartland will be responsible for overseeing Movio’s existing EMEA cinema client portfolio, as well as supporting these accounts with strategic advice and recommendations related to their membership and e-communication strategies. He will also work closely with Ms. Lewthwaite to develop business opportunities with new cinema clients.   

"Gabriel's demonstrable success managing the marketing and communications of the UK’s leading independent cinema group will be an invaluable asset to Movio's ongoing evolution," said Ms. Lewthwaite.  "He brings enormous experience and vision to Movio's leadership team.”   

"I'm thrilled to bring my range of communications and marketing expertise to Movio, a company whose innovative approach to data-based strategies I have long admired," said Mr. Swartland.

Highlights of Mr. Swartland's award-winning career at Picturehouse include a complete redevelopment of their market-leading loyalty programme, numerous new cinema openings including the flagship Picturehouse Central, shepherding the brand through its acquisition by Cineworld Group and launching the award-winning distribution arm Picturehouse Entertainment, whose credits include 20,000 Days On Earth; Branagh Theatre Live (global distribution) which won Event Cinema Campaign of the Year from Screen Awards; Ben Wheatley’s A Field In England;  The Lobster, Theatrical Campaign of the Year award-winning campaign in partnership with Element Pictures; The Imposter, £1m+ BO BAFTA winner and top ten highest grossing documentaries (UK); and the global release of the Nick Cave documentary One More Time With Feeling.