Studio Head Amy Pascal Leaving Sony Pictures

(RTTNews) - Amy Pascal will step down as Co-Chairman of Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc. and as head of its Motion Picture Group months after hackers released her embarrassing private emails.

Ms Pascal will start a production company that will launch in May 2015, with financial backing and distribution from Sony under a four-year agreement.

"I have spent almost my entire professional life at Sony Pictures and I am energized to be starting this new chapter based at the company I call home," said Pascal in a statement. "I have always wanted to be a producer."

Pascal faced severe criticism since she became embroiled in scandal in November, when hackers started releasing executives' e-mails that included her racial remarks about President Barack Obama's taste in movies in messages with producer Scott Rudin. Pascal and Rudin both publicly apologized subsequently.

Sony Pictures is the American subsidiary of Japanese multinational technology and media conglomerate Sony Corp. (SNE).