Veteran Longwell Rejoins Uni Home Entertainment Team
17 Oct, 2016 By: Thomas K. Arnold
Dick Longwell is back.
The longtime Universal Pictures Home Entertainment (UPHE) executive, who left the company in 2012 as EVP of sales and category management for North America, has rejoined the studio as managing director of North America, a position he had been filling on an interim basis since John Morici left in January.
He reports directly to Eddie Cunningham, worldwide president of UPHE. Longwell will lead the studio’s North American physical (Blu-ray Disc and DVD) home entertainment business, including sales, operations, finance and partnerships.
“Dick is a highly talented and regarded leader within our industry whose intricate knowledge and expertise of our business and our customers is as estimable as it is invaluable,” Cunningham said. “I am delighted that he has returned to the Universal fold and am confident that under his direction, we will further raise the competitive bar and ensure that our domestic business and our partners continue to significantly grow and thrive.”
Longwell is a 14-year veteran of UPHE. Previously, he held various senior executive positions of increasing responsibility at MGM Home Entertainment and Buena Vista Home Video (part of the Walt Disney Co.).
“I am thrilled to return to Universal — a place that I have long considered home,” Longwell said. “At present, there has never been a time in our industry that has been as equally exciting and challenging. I look forward to working alongside Eddie and the accomplished UPHE team as we work to forge the path to future success.”
The company also has re-established the position of SVP of U.S. sales and is filling it with Kathleen Gallagher, a 16-year UPHE veteran. Gallagher will retain oversight of domestic retail strategy, trade marketing and category management, and report to Longwell. As SVP of retail strategy and category management, Gallagher oversaw all aspects of UPHE’s catalog brand and trade marketing and retail strategy initiatives across its North American physical business.