Universal Pictures Reorganizes Top Jobs

In the wake of the marriage between France’s Vivendi and Seagram Universal, movie marketing president Marc Shmuger has been given broader responsibilities at Universal Pictures as the studio’s vice chairman. Studio President Rick Finkelstein has been given the added title of chief operating officer. In his new role, Shmuger, who joined Universal in 1998, will oversee the studio’s worldwide marketing operations and Internet initiatives. He will also share responsibility with Finkelstein for new business development and strategic planning. Under the previous structure, Universal’s international and domestic marketing operations were separate. Nadia Bronson, head of international, will now report to Shmuger rather than to Universal Pictures Chairman Stacey Snider. Shmuger will work closely with Universal’s domestic distribution chief Nikki Rocco, who continues to report to Snider. “We had a parallel strategy,” explained Snider, “and this reflects a single global vision for the marketing and distribution of our movies.” Finkelstein, who joined Universal in 1999 from Polygram Filmed Entertainment, will continue to manage the studio’s business and legal affairs operations, home video and technology. The promotions come as the ownership of Universal has gone from Seagram Co. to Vivendi and as Universal Pictures is enjoying a record-breaking year with hits as “How The Grinch Stole Christmas.”