MUMBAI: US film and television entertainment company Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer has signed a new long-term agreement with the company extending his tenure until May 2018, effective immediately, the company has announced.

During Feltheimer?s 13 years as CEO, he and vice chairman Michael Burns have guided the company?s growth into a premier global entertainment company that has established a reputation for leadership not only in feature films and television shows but in creating and delivering content to digital platforms around the world.

Last year Lionsgate acquired Summit Entertainment, launched the global blockbuster ?Hunger Games? franchise and continued the growth and diversification of its television business, which encompasses 28 television series on 20 different networks including iconic and emerging brands such as ?Mad Men? and ? Weds?. Lionsgate?s market capitalisation has increased from $80 million to nearly $4 billion during Feltheimer?s tenure as CEO.

Lionsgate chairman of the board Dr. Mark Rachesky said, "We are pleased to make this early decision to extend Jon?s tenure as CEO until 2018, providing Lionsgate with extraordinary continuity as he and Michael Burns continue to grow the Company into a next generation global content leader.

"We believed in Jon?s early vision of how to best position Lionsgate to grow and adapt to a rapidly changing industry. He has successfully executed on a business plan which required discipline, patience and investment in all of the Company?s key business segments in order to create highly valuable content and long-term value for shareholders."

In addition to Feltheimer, vice chairman Michael Burns, co-COOs Steve Beeks and Brian Goldsmith and general counsel and chief strategic officer Wayne Levin have all signed new long-term agreements with the company during the past year.