HarperCollins Leadership will release Chasing Hollywood: A Marketing Chief’s Lessons on Breaking Through by Gerry Rich on October 13, 2026. Blending memoir, film history, and practical marketing insight, the book examines how some of the most memorable movies of the last two generations captured public attention and shaped culture, while offering lessons for anyone trying to stand out in a crowded marketplace.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260617516126/en/
Courtesy of HarperCollins Leadership, an imprint of HarperCollins Focus.
In Chasing Hollywood, Rich draws on his career as a marketing leader to reveal the work, creativity, and conviction behind the creation and promotion of films that became lasting cultural touchstones, including Iron Man, which launched the Marvel Cinematic Universe and became the highest-grossing film franchise of all time. More than a business book, it is a personal account of what it takes to champion bold ideas, navigate resistance, and help original projects find their audience.
Set against the backdrop of films that helped define shared memories, catchphrases, stars, and moments in popular culture, the book shows how breakthrough success often comes from seeing what others overlook. Rich argues that audiences do not always know what they want until they see something new, and that lasting impact often comes from the projects willing to challenge convention.
The book also speaks directly to today’s marketing landscape, where even major brands struggle to break through the noise. Drawing on his experience at Miramax, MGM, Paramount, Columbia Pictures and Amazon MGM, Rich helped launch and elevate independent films into the cultural zeitgeist while working alongside some of the industry’s most acclaimed filmmakers. Through stories from Hollywood and beyond, he makes the case for an indie-film approach to standing out: one rooted in originality, persistence, strategic positioning and the willingness to go against the crowd.
“Getting an opportunity to journey back through Hollywood and revisit the countless people and moments that have both inspired and challenged me is incredible. I am so fortunate to have a career that allowed me to sit in rooms with Steven Spielberg, Pedro Almodovar, Barbara Broccoli, Quentin Tarantino, Sarah Polley, Ridley Scott and many more. I have loved movies as far back as I can recall and for me, potentially inspiring others to follow their dreams is the ultimate reward,” shared Rich.
“From limited budget indies at Miramax like The Crying Game, to shaping the promotion of the James Bond franchise to a new generation of viewers, Gerry Rich has brought a fresh perspective and a willingness to reinvent the wheel that helped propel him to the highest levels in Hollywood,” said Tim Burgard, executive editor of HarperCollins Leadership. “In Chasing Hollywood, Gerry shares his marketing wisdom while bringing us into the rooms where the magic happened for some of the most iconic movies of the ’90s and 2000s.”
With its mix of personal storytelling and practical lessons, Chasing Hollywood offers insight for marketers, creators, leaders, and readers interested in the intersection of entertainment, culture, and influence. The book presents a timely message: While barriers to attention are more formidable than ever, they can still be overcome by those willing to think outside the box.
Chasing Hollywood: A Marketing Chief’s Lessons on Breaking Through will be available in hardcover, ebook, and audiobook with Rich narrating. You can pre-order today at: https://www.harpercollinsleadership.com/books/chasing-hollywood
You can download cover art and Gerry Rich’s headshot HERE.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Gerry Rich was just a kid when he set his sights on marketing movies. That’s when his journey of chasing Hollywood began: By forging new paths to escape the confines of his St. Louis neighborhood, he innovated his way to California, scrappily climbing from a humble post-college advertising job to the top of the Hollywood food chain. Named by Ad Age as one of the Top 100 Marketers in America (across all industries), Gerry has proven his talents as a marketing executive at Columbia Pictures, DeLaurentis Entertainment Group, Miramax, Miramax/Disney, MGM, Paramount, and MGM/United Artists.
ABOUT HARPERCOLLINS LEADERSHIP:
HarperCollins Leadership publishes content from leaders who redefine or expand what a reader previously thought possible. Authors provide unique inspiration and experiences to those who seek to learn, make a difference, and find their own version of success.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260617516126/en/
Media gallery
