Universal Realigns Home Entertainment

19 Sep, 2013 By: Thomas K. Arnold

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Universal Studios Home Entertainment president Craig Kornblau has been given additional responsibilities that puts him in charge of all physical and digital sales, marketing and distribution operations for film and television.

In what the studio calls a “strategic realignment of its home entertainment functions intended to streamline operations and best leverage future growth opportunities,” the digital distribution division is being merged under Kornblau, who currently oversees all aspects of Universal’s domestic home entertainment operations for theatrical titles from Universal Pictures and Focus Features, as well as NBC Universal’s television properties, direct-to-video content and acquisitions. 

Michael Bonner will continue to lead the domestic digital distribution team, overseeing domestic distribution for film and television across all platforms, including video-on-demand and electronic sellthrough. Bonner’s title will change to EVP of digital distribution for USHE, and he will report jointly to Kornblau and Universal’s president and chief distribution officer, Peter Levinsohn.   

Jessica Schell will become EVP of new media and digital entertainment for Universal Pictures. Reporting to Levinsohn, Schell will continue to oversee the company’s global expansion of Universal’s strategic relationships with digital companies across all existing and emerging platforms. She will lead the company’s efforts to create new digital business opportunities, including initiatives to exploit new content, windows and formats such as UltraViolet.

“Craig, Michael and Jessica are exceptional leaders in the home entertainment and new media space and I’m thrilled to be working with such a talented team of professionals who are committed to the successful distribution of Universal content across existing and emerging platforms,” Levinsohn said. “By realigning our operations, Universal will be better positioned strategically to take advantage of growth opportunities in every home entertainment window, which is critical to further expanding our business.”

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