Universal marketing units consolidate

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 20 (UPI) -- Universal Pictures consolidated its U.S. theatrical and home video marketing departments, a move observers said was a first by a major studio.

A memo sent by Universal Chairman Marc Shmuger and Co-chairman David Linde said the realignment is "intended to provide strategic continuity across windows as we market our new releases," Variety said Tuesday.

In the restructured department, Marketing President Adam Fogelson and Co-president Eddie Egan will oversee marketing for Universal theatrical and home entertainment new releases. Craig Kornblau, home video head, will oversee home entertainment marketing for other areas, including catalog titles for all labels, new releases for Focus Features and Rogue Pictures, and high-definition releases and digital downloads.

Kornblau's marketing executive Ken Graffeo will focus on HD DVD promotion, which Universal said it identified as a major priority.

The studio said it expected no major workforce reductions from the consolidation. However, Vivian Mayer, senior vice president of home video publicity, said she is leaving the company rather than stay in a more narrowly defined role.