Sony Pictures Classics has hired John Z. Shahinian as vice president of sales. He boasts an over 40-year career in sales, leadership and executive positions across the exhibition and domestic distribution sectors. Shahinian will be based in New York and will lead the theatrical release strategy for newly acquired films and oversee the sales division, serving as the primary liaison between exhibitors and filmmakers. He will report to Angela Pirrone, senior vice president of operations. Shahinian