by Jake Korell
Universal Pictures 100th Anniversary Logo
A BRIEF HISTORY
Universal Pictures was founded in 1912 by Carl Laemmie in New York City, NY. It is the oldest American movie studio that continues to produce films. It’s located at 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California 91608, U.S.A. They can be reached at (818) 777-1000.1
UNIVERSAL PICTURES TODAY
The parent company of Universal Pictures is NBCUniversal. Comcast owns 51% of NBCUniversal and General Electric owns the remaining 49%.2 Below are the executives and their positions held in Universal Pictures.3
Jimmy Horowitz is the President of the company and was given his position in May 2010. He has worked with the company for 18 years and previously served as the company’s Co-President of production and Executive Vice President.4
Rick Finkelstein is the Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer. During October of 2009, Finkelstein was given an enhanced role as key strategic adviser of the newly appointed Chairman, Adam Fogelson.5
Eddie Egan is the President of Marketing and was given his position in October 2007. He directs all aspects of advertising ranging from creative, promotion, publicity, media, digital marketing, and administration.6
Nikki Rocco is President of Distribution and was appointed with her position in February 1996. She has been with the company for many of their most successful films.7
Mike Knobloch is the President of Film Music and Publishing for Universal Pictures. Knobloch has spent the last two decades of his life overseeing music for film.8
Adam Fogelson was appointed Chairman in October 2009. His job is to oversee worldwide operations for Universal Pictures including many other divisions of the company.9
Cindy Gardner was appointed to Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs after serving as Vice President of Internal Communications since 2004. She is responsible for corporate media relations, philanthropy, special events, and issues management in Universal Pictures.10
Donna Langley is the Co-Chairman of Universal Pictures and works beside Adam Fogelson on business and production strategies of the company. She is also responsible for Working Title, Focus Features, and the international operations of the company.11
David Kosse is the President of International Universal Pictures and responsible for maximizing revenue and profit of the company all across the globe.12
UNIVERSAL PICTURES 2012 FILMS
Universal Pictures has released six films this year so far. They include Contraband, Safe House, Wanderlust, Big Miracle, American Reunion, The Lorax, and The Five-Year Engagement.13 The Lorax made $70.2 million in its opening weekend14 and has grossed $208,471,000 to date. Wanderlust has grossed $17,288,000, Safe House has grossed $125,854,000, Big Miracle has grossed $20,157,000, American Reunion has grossed $53,569,000, and The Five Year Engagement has grossed $11,157,000 to date.15 Universal Pictures also produced the Broadway musical Billy Elliot.
Starring Mark Whalberg, Contraband is about a former smuggler that takes one last job to score millions of dollars in counterfeit bills to protect his brother-in-law.16 Contraband trailer here.
Starring Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds, Safe House is about an young agent that works as a housekeeper for a safe house. When one of FBI’s most wanted comes to the safe house and the facility is attacked, they both go on the run.17 Safe House trailer here.
Starring Jennifer Aniston and Paul Rudd, Wanderlust is about a recently unemployed Manhattan couple that decides to explore alternative living options.18 Wanderlust trailer here.
Starring Drew Barrymore and John Krasinski, Big Miracle is based on a true story about three whales trapped under a thick sheet of ice. The town rallies to help the whales escape their prison.19 Big Miracle trailer here.
The entire gang is back in American Reunion. Even though they have all grown up, they still get into some of the same shenanigans as they used to. This is the fourth installment of the American Pie series.20 American Reunion trailer here.
With the voice talent of Zac Efron, Taylor Swift, and Danny DeVito, The Lorax bring a classic Dr. Seuss story to the big screen. The story follows a boy that is determined to search for a tree with the help of a story about a grumpy Lorax.21 The Lorax trailer here.
Starring Jason Segel and written by Jason Segel, The Five-Year Engagement is a comedy that follows the ups and downs of an engaged couple’s relationship.22 The Five-Year Engagement trailer here.
UNIVERSAL PICTURES NEWS
Universal Pictures debuted a new version of their logo in front of The Lorax. It still includes the signature globe in the background. The new logo celebrates the company’s 100th anniversary. The logo will be in front of every Universal Pictures film of 2012.23
Universal Pictures signed a multi-year agreement with Redbox that states that the DVDs for Universal Pictures films will be available in Redbox kiosks 28 days after their initial DVD release. This is in affect until 2014.24
Bridesmaids recently became the biggest Video-On-Demand title of all time. The film grossed $40 million during its VOD run.25
Universal Pictures has also announced that an Animal House musical is planned for production. It will feature a score by Barenaked Ladies and it will be directed and choreographed by the Tony Award-winner for “The Book of Mormon,” Casey Nicholaw.26
THE FUTURE FOR UNIVERSAL PICTURES
Universal Pictures will release six films in the upcoming months through August. They include Savages (July 6th), The Bourne Legacy (August 3rd), Despicable Me 2 (July 3), Ted (July 13th), Battleship (May 18th), and Snow White and the Huntsman (June 1st).27
REFERENCES
1 Retrieved from http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/Universal-Studios-Inc-company-History.html
2 Retrieved from http://www.comcast.com/About/PressRelease/PressReleaseDetail.ashx?PRID=938&SCRedirect=true
3 Retrieved from http://www.nbcuni.com/corporate/management/executives#company=universal-pictures
4 Retrieved from http://www.nbcuni.com/corporate/management/executives/universal-pictures/jimmy-horowitz
5 Retrieved from http://www.nbcuni.com/corporate/management/executives/universal-pictures/rick-finkelstein
6 Retrieved from http://www.nbcuni.com/corporate/management/executives/universal-pictures/eddie-egan
7 Retrieved from http://www.nbcuni.com/corporate/management/executives/universal-pictures/nikki-rocco
8 Retrieved from http://www.nbcuni.com/corporate/management/executives/universal-pictures/mike-knobloch
9 Retrieved from http://www.nbcuni.com/corporate/management/executives/universal-pictures/adam-fogelson
10 Retrieved from http://www.nbcuni.com/corporate/management/executives/universal-pictures/cindy-gardner
11 Retrieved from http://www.nbcuni.com/corporate/management/executives/universal-pictures/donna-langley
12 Retrieved from http://www.nbcuni.com/corporate/management/executives/universal-pictures/david-kosse
13 Retrieved from http://www.universalpictures.com/
14 White, M. (2012, Mar 05). Dr. Seuss Tale ‘The Lorax’ Tops Weekend Box Office With $70.2 Million Take. Retrieved from http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-03-06/-lorax-tops-box-office-with-70-2-million-in-ticket-sales.html
15 Retrieved from http://boxofficemojo.com/weekend/chart/
16 Retrieved from http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1524137/
17 Retrieved from http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1599348/
18 Retrieved from http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1655460/
19 Retrieved from http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1430615/
20 Retrieved from http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1605630/
21 Retrieved from http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1482459/
22 Retrieved from http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1195478/
23 Kilday, G. (2012, Mar 01). Universal to Debut New Studio Logo in Front of ‘Dr. Seuss’ the Lorax’. Retrieved from http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/universal-pictures-100th-anniversary-logo-the-lorax-296227
24 Szalai, G. (2012, Mar 01). Universal, Redbox Extend DVD Rental Deal with 28 Day Window Through 2014. Retrieved from http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/universal-redbox-extend-dvd-rental-deal-28-days-296245
25 ‘Bridesmaids’ Becomes the Biggest Video-on-Demand Title of All Time. (2012, Feb 08). Retrieved from http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/bridesmaids-biggest-vod-kristen-wiig-universal-288163
26 Rooney, D. (2012, Mar 05). ‘Animal House’ Musical Heads to Broadway with Barenaked Ladies. Retrieved from http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/john-belushi-animal-house-musical-frat-boys-296844
27 Retrieved from http://www.universalpictures.com/