Universal Elevates Two Production Executives

Universal Pictures, which has enjoyed a number of box-office hits in recent years, has rewarded two top production executives with promotions.

Mary Parent and Scott Stuber each has been appointed to the newly created position of vice chairman, worldwide production, for Universal Pictures, the studio announced Friday.

The executives will continue to oversee the worldwide acquisition, creative development and production of all Universal Pictures feature films, as well as original made-for-video productions and creative development and production of its original animation properties.

Parent and Stuber, whose new deals with the Vivendi Universal unit extend through 2006, will continue to report to Universal Pictures chief Stacey Snider.

“In the past six years, we’ve seen a real turnaround in our business, and Mary and Scott have been instrumental in developing the strategies and delivering the films that have brought us consistency and success,” Snider said in a statement.

The elevation of Parent and Stuber comes just as Universal Pictures has crossed the $1-billion domestic box-office mark for 2003.

In the last six years, Parent and Stuber have supervised the development and production of such films as “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” “Seabiscuit,” “Gladiator,” “Bruce Almighty,” “2 Fast 2 Furious” and “A Beautiful Mind.”

Both Parent and Stuber joined Universal as senior vice presidents of production in August 1997 and rose through the ranks of the studio, with each named president, production, in February 2001.