Black Bear UK, the UK theatrical distribution arm of independent studio Black Bear, has further established its core distribution team. Led by President John Friedberg and Managing Director Llewellyn Radley, the new Black Bear UK appointees include Eugene O’Connor, who joins as VP Publicity; Nick Smith, who takes on the role of VP Digital; and Bosco Tench, who steps into the role of Marketing Director. They join existing senior UK distribution executives, including Vicky Hine, SVP Marketing, Scott Sargeant, VP Distribution and Frank Ayaoge, VP Technical.

O’Connor joins from Premier PR, where he led the Film team, and worked on the publicity campaigns for titles including The Banshees of Inisherin, The Favourite and “Normal People”. In addition to leading on all aspects of UK publicity strategy, O’Connor will also work across PR for Black Bear’s international sales and distribution business.

Smith most recently worked at Apple, where he managed the UK Video Business. Prior to that he held senior roles at eOne and Momentum Pictures, where he led the digital transactional business and established lucrative television deals.

Tench joins Black Bear from eOne, where he served as Senior Marketing Manager and worked on titles including Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves and Dark Waters. Tench previously held positions at StudioCanal and media agency, Zenith.

Black Bear UK is distributing 10-15 wide release theatrical films a year, including commercial, genre and prestige titles. The company’s first release will be the Black Bear production, Dumb Money, from acclaimed director Craig Gillespie, starring Paul Dano, Sebastian Stan, Shailene Woodley, Pete Davidson and Seth Rogen, which will open wide on September 22.