Universal Pictures is establishing a new global home entertainment division headquarters in Los Angeles that will be led by Eddie Cunningham, who was named president of Universal’s worldwide home entertainment business earlier this year.
Cunningham, who formerly led the company’s international home entertainment group based in London, relocated to Los Angeles and reports to president and chief distribution officer Peter Levinsohn.
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As part of today’s announcement, Cunningham revealed the key leaders of the new global home entertainment division, which will be called Universal Pictures Home Entertainment.
Under the new organization, Cunningham will establish a separate U.S. operating company to service Universal’s largest revenue-generating home entertainment territory. In addition, a Canadian operating company will also be formed to support the fourth-largest market in the home entertainment space. Universal will also retain its nine international offices.
Michael Bonner who leads the domestic digital distribution side of Universal’s home entertainment group will continue to oversee that business as executive VP of digital distribution for UPHE, reporting to Levinsohn.
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“Creating a global headquarters is an important step toward making our business even more competitive in the marketplace,” said Cunningham. “We’re extremely fortunate to have so many talented executives across our home entertainment groups and under their continued leadership in this global structure, I’m confident our business will grow and thrive.”
Members of Cunningham’s new global leadership team will include:
Melanie Laithwaite, who currently serves as Universal Pictures International Entertainment’s (UPIE) Executive Vice President Business Affairs and Business Operations, will transition to Executive Vice President Business Affairs & Business Operations, UPHE.
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Hilary Hoffman, Universal Studios Home Entertainment’s (USHE) Executive Vice President of Marketing, will become Executive Vice President Marketing, UPHE.
Paul Chesney, previously UPIE’s Senior Vice President of International Operations & Licensees, will take on the role globally as Executive Vice President Operations, UPHE.
John Revill, previously UPIE’s Senior Vice President & Regional Managing Director Sales, Insights & Catalogue & TV Marketing, will become Executive Vice President of Global Partners & Sales.
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Glenn Ross, who oversees the company’s home entertainment original productions arm, will continue in his capacity as Executive Vice President of Universal 1440 Entertainment.
Helen Parker, who oversees the company’s international acquisitions & production business, will continue in her capacity as Executive Vice President & Managing Director A&R.
John Morici, formerly USHE’s Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer will assume the position of Executive Vice President and Regional Managing Director of the newly formed U.S. and Canadian operating companies. John Melluso, who previously held the title of Vice President, Sales will become the new Managing Director of the Canadian operating company reporting to Morici.
The following will continue in their current roles as Regional Managing Directors and Managing Directors with a direct report to Cunningham:
- · Ian Foster – Regional Managing Director, United Kingdom and Japan
- · Pauline Grimaldi d’Esdra – Regional Managing Director, France
- · Dirk Lisowsky – Regional Managing Director, Germany/Austria/Switzerland (GAS)
- · Jim Batchelor – Managing Director, Australia (joint venture with Sony)