Brian Goldsmith has been named co-chief operating officer of Canadian mini-studio Lionsgate, it was announced Friday.

“Brian played a leadership role in many of the initiatives that made 2012 a transformative year for us,” said CEO Jon Feltheimer and vice chairman Michael Burns in a statememt. “His management of our channel partnerships, digital platforms and joint ventures will be a key ingredient of our continued growth.  He will also continue to help set in place a capital structure that supports our profitable long-term growth while reducing debt and interest expense.”

Goldsmith will spearhead Lionsgate’s corporate development activities, channel platforms and digital initiatives.

He will report, with co-COO Steve Beeks, to Feltheimer on corporate management issues and will continue to work with Burns and general counsel Wayne Levin on mergers and acquisitions activities and initiatives related to the company’s capital structure, including corporate and project financing.

Goldsmith joined Lionsgate after the company’s acquisition in 2007 of Mandate Pictures, where he had been serving as COO and CFO. Since 2008, he served as Lionsgate EVP of corporate development and strategy.

Goldsmith, according to a release from Lionsgate, played key roles in the company’s acquisition of Summit Entertainment in January and the sale of Canadian distributor Maple Pictures to Alliance Films last year.