REGIONAL PEOPE

* Vivendi Universal’s Universal Pictures unit promoted Marc Shmuger to vice chairman and Rick Finkelstein to chief operating officer.

Shmuger had been president of marketing at Universal Pictures in Universal City and Finkelstein was president of the studio, the company said.

Shmuger will be in charge of the studio’s worldwide marketing, Internet activities, business development and strategic planning.

Finkelstein, who had been in charge of business and legal affairs, home video and technology, will oversee Universal’s stake in United International Pictures, a worldwide film distribution joint venture; United Cinemas International; and Universal Pictures International.