Universal sent Stephanie Sperber an early vote of confidence on Monday, extending the contract of the president of Universal Partnerships & Licensing through June 2016.
Sperber oversees all of Universal’s global consumer products, digital licensing, theatrical and home entertainment promotions across all divisions of Universal Pictures as well as strategic marketing alliances for both Universal Pictures and Universal Studios Parks and Resorts Group.
Her contract was set expire in 18 months. She will continue to report to Universal Pictures chairman Adam Fogelson.
Universal’s relationships with marquee brands and licensing partners have greatly expanded during Sperber’s tenure.
She recently oversaw the studio’s largest- ever global licensing and promotional campaign, for this summer’s release of Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment’s “Despicable Me 2.”
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The program includes more than 100 promotional partners around the world, delivering more than $255 million in total global media value from key marketing partners such as McDonald’s, General Mills, Kellogg’s, Chiquita and Progressive. The first mobile game for the “Despicable Me” franchise, “Minion Rush,” debuted in June and became the No. 1 free app in 65 countries on iPhone and in 82 countries on iPad.
Sperber has led UP&L since its creation in 2009, first as executive vice president of the studio’s retail-focussed Consumer Products Group within the division known as Universal Studios Partnerships before being promoted to her current position. Prior to that, she had led Universal Studios Partnerships as executive vice president since 2005.
Sperber’s team will continue to work closely with the NBCUniversal Media Innovation & Cross Company Initiatives group and with the new executive vice-president of franchise management and global consumer products, Russell Hampton.
Looming on Sperber’s agenda is the next installment in the “Jurassic Park” franchise. She’ll oversee the upcoming global licensing, retail, digital and promotional campaign for the fourth film in the series.