by Cassie-lee Grimaldi
Universal Pictures in a film studio jointly owned by GE at 49% and Comcast at 51%. (1)The President is Eddie Egan, Vice Chairman and C.O.O. is Rick Finkelstein, Chairman is Adam Engelson, Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs is Cindy Gardner, President is Jimmy Horowitz, Co-chairwoman is Donna Langley, President of distribution is Nikki Rocco, International President is David Kosse, President of Film and Music Publishing is Mike Knobloch. (2)The company’s website can be accessed at the address: http://www.nbcuni.com/film/universal-pictures. Their consumer targeted website is universalpictures.com. Their offices are located in new York, Los Angeles, Englewood Cliffs, Miami, and London. They contacted at the respectively listed numbers: (212)664-4444, (818)840-4444, (201)735-2622, (305)888-5151, and 44-(207)307-1300. Viewer related inquires are directed to nbcuniversalviewerfeedback@nbcuni.com where as career inquires can be directed to nbcucareers@nbcuni.com.
As of Feburary 6, 2012, Peter La Terriere and J.J. Lousberg were promoted to vice presidents of international production and Peter Kukawski was named as executive vice president of worldwide acquisitions. (3)
Universal has also recently announced that they are extending their agreement with Working Title films. They have also recently renewed their agreement with Imagine entertainment. Since the start of their arrangement in 1999, Universal and Working title have produced films that have generated more that $4.25 billion. (4)
Universal along with Focus Features has gained the rights to produce the highly anticipated on screen adaption of “Fifty Shades of Grey.” The national bestseller is expected to generate more income than similar trilogies like “The Hunger Games” and “Twilight.” (5) It will be interesting to see how Universal translates the E.L. James novel onto the big screen because it has been regarded as erotica by many critics.
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Universal Pictures also received the rights to distribute the Korean World War II drama, “My Way,” in the U.K., Australia, and New Zealand.(6)
In the arena of personal viewing and technology, Universal plans to allow consumers to buy its films on one apple device, store them using the cloud service and watch them on any of their other devices. This will come after an agreement with HBO, who has partial rights to some of universal’s materials. For example, if HBO is currently screening a Universal pictures film, like Bridesmaids, it is not available for purchase on iTunes, but HBO plans to change this soon. (7) And speaking of Bridesmaids, it has recently become the number one most ordered on demand film of all time.(8)
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Recently, Universal Pictures has stated, along with several other studios, that it intends try an efficiency experiment with film distribution by pursuing the use of satellite technology. The companies would digitally deliver films to theater using this technology. Other companies involved include Warner Bros, Regal, AMC Entertainment Inc, and Cinemark. This group is known as the Digital Cinema Distribution Coalition.(9)
Universal will finally make their features available to rent through Redbox services as of March, 1 2012. They will be available to rent 28 days after their release for purchase. This announcement cause a 3.1% increase in Coinstar shares, the company that owns Redbox. (10)
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In addition to film production, Universal has granted the rights for a musical based on “Animal House.” Universal stage productions also produced the award winning musical “Billy Elliot.” (12)
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The 100th anniversary of Universal pictures took place this past March. In order to celebrate, they premiered a new logo in the opening credits of “The Lorax.”(13)
The Following Provides a Video Timeline of the Universal Logo Through The Ages.
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Resources:
(1): A television deal for the digital age (from CRJ.org)
http://www.cjr.org/feature/a_television_deal_for_the_digi.php?page=all&print=true
(2): Universal Pictures Executives.
http://www.nbcuni.com/corporate/management/executives#company=universal-pictures
(3): Universal Pictures International Ups Overseas Production Execs To Push Local Markets
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/universal-pictures-international-ups-overseas-executives-287234
(4) Universal Extends Its Pact With Working Title Films
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/universal-extends-pact-working-title-films-les-miserables-317579
(5) Universal, Focus Acquire Rights to ‘Fifty Shades of Grey.’
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/50-shades-grey-universal-focus-acquire-rights-304163
(6) Berlin 2012: Universal Pictures International Inks Multi-Territory Pact for ‘My Way’
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/berlin-2012-universal-pictures-well-go-usa-my-way-korea-288956
(7) Hollywood Studios Warm to Apple’s iCloud Effort
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203961204577272273439064412.html?KEYWORDS=universal+pictures
(8)’Bridesmaids’ Becomes the Biggest Video-On-Demand Title of All Time
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/bridesmaids-biggest-vod-kristen-wiig-universal-288163
(9)The Reel End: Theaters to Get Movies by Satellite
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303990604577366561887448428.html?KEYWORDS=universal+pictures+satellite
(10) Universal, Redbox Extend DVD Rental Deal With 28 Day Window Through 2014
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/universal-redbox-extend-dvd-rental-deal-28-days-296245
(11) Image
https://www.google.com/finance?client=ob&q=NASDAQ:CSTR
(12) They Pledge Allegiance to the Frat: ‘Animal House’ Musical Is Planned
http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/03/05/they-pledge-allegiance-to-the-frat-animal-house-musical-is-planned/?scp=6&sq=universal%20pictures&st=cse#
(13) Universal to Debut New Studio Logo in Front of ‘Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax’
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/universal-pictures-100th-anniversary-logo-the-lorax-296227
(14) Universal Pictures unveils 100th anniversary company logo
http://www.coronacomingattractions.com/news/universal-pictures-unveils-100th-anniversary-company-logo
(15) SHEKNOWS ON THEBRIDESMAIDS SET!
http://www.sheknows.com/entertainment/articles/825503/visiting-kristen-wiig-on-the-bridesmaids-set
(16) Fifty Shades of Grey Book Review
http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20584416_20578460,00.html
(17)TODD PHILLIPS PRODUCING JOHN BELUSHI BIOPIC FOR SOME REASON » JOHNBELUSHI-ANIMALHOUSE-ZIT
http://filmdrunk.uproxx.com/2010/08/todd-phillips-producing-john-belushi-biopic-for-some-reason/johnbelushi-animalhouse-zit