The Movie Marketing & Distribution Podcast

• How to Score in Hollywood: Audience Insight, Data and the Evolution of Movie Marketing featuring Kevin Goetz and Bob Levin

  In this episode, Alex is joined by two industry leaders with unparalleled insight into how films truly reach and resonate with audiences. Kevin Goetz, founder and CEO of Screen Engine ASI, and legendary studio marketer Bob Levin share the thinking, decision processes and real-world experience behind their new book How to Score in Hollywood. Together, they discuss the realities of greenlighting, the role of audience understanding in shaping creative and commercial choices, and how the relationship between marketing, research and storytelling has evolved. From capability testing and concept clarity to the challenges of releasing films in today's fragmented environment, Kevin and Bob offer a grounded and highly practical look at what drives film success. For anyone working in distribution, marketing or greenlightng, this conversation lifts the lid on how smarter decisions, stronger insights and clearer positioning help films connect and perform in an increasingly competitive marketplace. About Kevin Goetz  Kevin Goetz is the founder and CEO of Screen Engine, a global leader in entertainment research and strategy serving all the major film studios, television networks, and streaming services. Throughout his career, he has been at the forefront of Hollywood, having personally tested over 5,000 film titles, where his work significantly impacts how movies are made, marketed, and released. In 2024, Kevin received American Cinematheque's prestigious Power of Cinema Award for his contributions to the film industry. He is the author of two books: the bestselling Audience•ology: How Moviegoers Shape the Films We Love (Simon & Schuster, 2021), offering an inside look at the power of audience pre-release movie test screenings, and How to Score in Hollywood (Simon & Schuster, November 2025), exploring the secrets to success in the movie business. Kevin brings his expertise to life as the host of the popular podcast, Don't Kill the Messenger (Apple Top 100), and continues educating the filmmaking community through keynote speeches and global presentations. He has produced twelve TV movies, including the Emmy-winning Wild Iris, and the 2026 documentary Children in the Fire. A member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the Television Academy, and the Producers Guild of America, Kevin also serves on the boards of six nonprofit organizations. He currently resides in Beverly Hills with his husband, Neil, a producer and former creative advertising executive, and their labradoodle, Kasha.   About Bob Levin Bob Levin is a legendary movie marketing executive, having for over two decades holding the position of president, worldwide marketing at first Disney, then Sony and MGM. As well as being a key member of each studio's greenlight committee, he led the advertising, publicity, promotion, and research programs that helped launch hundreds of films, breaking numerous box office records throughout his career. Bob came out of semi-retirement when Kevin Goetz invited him to join Screen Engine/ASI as president and chief operating officer, where he has played a pivotal role in the company's continued success. His first book, How to Score in Hollywood, cowritten with Kevin, reveals the secrets to a movie's success and profitability, exploring how smart, data-driven decisions—from development to release—help filmmakers minimize risks and maximize returns. Bob lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Hilda Wynn.

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• Building a Sustainable Ecosystem for World Cinema featuring Meret Ruggle

  How can independent distributors build a sustainable future for world cinema in an era of content saturation and shrinking public support? In this episode, Alex Stolz speaks with Meret Ruggle, Co-head of Trigon Film, the Swiss foundation and distributor that has spent more than three decades championing outstanding films from Latin America, Asia, Africa and Eastern Europe. Meret shares how Trigon has developed a holistic and community-driven model for distribution,  combining theatrical releases, educational outreach and its own VoD platform Filmingo to extend the life of its films and connect directly with audiences. The conversation explores: Trigon's mission and the challenge of sustaining it amid the loss of key public funding Balancing cultural purpose with commercial realities Building direct relationships and trust with audiences The evolving tastes of Swiss arthouse viewers Lessons from a truly global approach to curation A candid and inspiring look at what it takes to keep diverse storytelling alive - and why community, innovation and creativity matter more than ever in the world of film marketing, distribution and audiences.   About Meret Ruggle Meret Ruggle is Co-head of the Swiss film distributor trigon-film. The film foundation has been releasing carefully selected films from Latin America, Asia, Africa and Eastern Europe since 1988 and runs its own DVD edition and the video-on-demand platform filmingo. Meret has been working for trigon-film for the last 12 years and is also involved in the Swiss Film Fund visions sud est, both as a member of the Board and an expert in the selection committee. Since 2024 she is also member of the board of the Winterthur Short Film Days (kurzfilmtage.ch).

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• How Independent Films Can Thrive in a Changing Market featuring Jonathan Sadler

  Independent filmmakers face a fast-evolving landscape: rising costs, fragmented audiences, and tougher routes to market. Yet with more platforms and opportunities than ever before, smart strategies can still give films the best chance to succeed. In this episode, Alex Stolz speaks with Jonathan Sadler — veteran marketer and author of Film Marketing and Distribution: An Independent Filmmaker's Guide. With over two decades of experience at companies including Universal Pictures, Momentum, Revolver, Warner Music and Arrow Films, Jonathan has worked on everything from Amélie and Lost in Translation to Donnie Darko and The Mummy. Together, they explore: Why casting is also a marketing decision The importance of product-market fit for indie films Practical steps filmmakers can take upstream to maximise audience reach How evolving distribution models create new opportunities This is an essential conversation for anyone who wants to understand how independent films can not just survive, but thrive, in today's marketplace.   About Jonathan Sadler Jonathan Sadler has been marketing filmed entertainment content since 1998, first at Universal Pictures before spending over 5 years at Momentum Pictures as home entertainment marketing director. He headed up marketing at Revolver Entertainment, Warner Music International and Arrow Films. Sadler has launched or worked on the re-release of iconic films such as Amelie, American Beauty, The Mummy, Lost in Translation, Cinema Paradiso, Heathers, Anuvahood, Edie, The Hunt, Donnie Darko and Love is All You Need. Film Marketing & Distribution: An Independent Filmmaker's Guide is his first book.

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• From KNEECAP to FLOW: Inside Curzon's Marketing Playbook featuring Susie Bould

  In this episode of the Marketing and Distribution Podcast, host Alex Stolz speaks with Susie Bould, Marketing Director at Curzon, the iconic UK exhibitor, distributor, and streaming platform. Susie shares how Curzon's unique ecosystem and real-time audience data shape its marketing strategy, enabling bold, authentic campaigns that connect deeply with film lovers. She reveals how Curzon successfully shifted its demographic toward a younger audience, the creative tactics behind indie breakouts like Kneecap and Flow, and how agility and authenticity are driving modern film marketing. Susie also speaks candidly about her experience becoming disabled early in her career, how it shaped her leadership and problem-solving skills, and her views on inclusion and progress in the film industry. From data-driven decisions to cheeky Oscar-winning posters, from immersive family cinema to ensuring accessibility, this conversation offers a rare, inspiring look into how one of the UK's oldest cinema brands and distributor continue to innovate and bring in audiences for original stories. About Susie Bould Susie is Marketing Director at Curzon with 19 years experience in film and entertainment. Formerly at Lionsgate, Think Jam and Hyperlaunch, she is passionate about strategy, creativity, and connecting audiences with great cinema.

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• Bringing International Actions Films to the US Market featuring Maxwell Riesberg

  In this episode of the Marketing and Distribution Podcast, Alex Stolz is joined by Maxwell Riesberg, founder and CEO of Rascal (RSCL) Films – a bold new theatrical-first studio on a mission to bring international action films the big-screen releases they deserve. With a background that includes award-winning campaigns for A Quiet Place and Bumblebee, Maxwell shares how Rascal aims to become the 'A24 of action cinema' by combining cutting-edge AI dubbing technology, premium marketing, and a community-first approach to distribution. He explains how Rascal is building an identity-driven brand that speaks directly to underserved action fans across the U.S., why theatrical still matters, and how user-generated content is shaping the future of film marketing. A deep dive into genre strategy, branding, AI, and the power of building direct audience relationships — this is a must-listen for anyone shaping the future of film distribution. About Maxwell Riesberg Maxwell Riesberg is an accomplished producer, storyteller, and creative advertising professional, as well a seasoned entrepreneur with two successful exits. He is the Founder of RSCL, the first film distribution company devoted exclusively to action cinema. Built as a consumer-facing lifestyle brand, RSCL represents a radical rethinking of film distribution for the AI era, focused on building meaningful, direct relationships with audiences through exceptional international action films, innovative partnerships, and community building. Previously, Maxwell founded Paradise Creative, an advertising agency that specializes in theatrical trailers & digital campaigns for films and TV shows.  Maxwell led the company from a two-person upstart into an industry powerhouse, cementing the agency's status as a go-to partner for clients including Amazon Studios, Warner Bros, Paramount, Sony Pictures, Hulu, HBO Max, Netflix, and many others.  In addition to generating millions of box office dollars and delivering untold eyeballs to streaming titles, Maxwell & the Paradise team garnered many notable awards, including seven wins at the prestigious Clio Awards.  Maxwell was Chief Executive Officer of the agency, until engineering his exit in 2021. Before that, Maxwell founded Lord Danger, a boutique commercial production company.  He developed an in-demand roster of bold commercial directors, sourcing their campaigns and managing their career trajectories.  Clients included Lawrence Lamont, Mike Diva, and Gille Klabin.  Maxwell worked hand-in-hand as producer on his clients' works, from conceptualization all the way through post-production.  Lord Danger created music videos for some of the biggest acts in music (Major Lazer, J. Cole, Steve Aoki, Big Sean, et al) as well as iconic commercials for house-name brands including 1-800-Contacts & Meow Mix.  Maxwell was Co-Chief Executive Officer of the company, leading it to its acquisition in 2015. Maxwell's work has been written about extensively, including in The Hollywood Reporter, Ad Age, Fast Company, Deadline, Entertainment Weekly, Billboard, Indiewire, and CNN.  And Eater LA. Maxwell loves to travel, both abroad but also to the furthest reaches of Los Angeles in search of its best food.  When he's not on the road, he enjoys seeing (almost) every movie in theatres, appreciating dogs, rooting for Red Bull Formula 1 and (tragically) the Chicago Bears, and working on his tennis game.

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