Tag Archives: NBCUniversal

Scripps Networks Interactive

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By Deana DiSalvio

Logo, SNI

9721 Sherrill Boulevard
Knoxville, TN 37932                                                                                                               865.694.2700
www.scrippsnetworksinteractive.com

Scripps Network Interactive (SNI), a leader in cable television network, advancing digital media platforms, publishing, and a developer in lifestyle programming across multiple communication mediums. Specializing in lifestyle content through cable networks, such as The Cooking Channel, The Travel Channel, and HGTV. The company also has minority interest in regional sports network, FOX Sports Net South, and internationally, with a significant stake in the United Kingdom television broadcaster, UKTV. The company has made significant strides in branding their own products, such as Food Network Kitchenware, and by teaming up with well-known brands, such as, HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams.

Logo, Diversity Lives Here

Priding itself  on diversity, SNI aims to drive the behaviors and success in the workforce and marketplace. Combined with the consumer-centric philosophy, focusing on delivering content, products, and services whenever and wherever a consumer wants it, that very focus established and continues to sustain the company as a leader in lifestyle. [1]

History

SNI began as a Cleveland, Ohio The Penny Press, started in 1878 by Edward W. Scripps. The newspaper had increased  post-war publishing success, and the Scripps Company moved toward the business of locally operated television. Prompted by the desire to not depend on advertising revenue [2], the company established itself in cable; buying and building television systems. By the 80s, the company’s reputation was one of America’s largest cable operators.

Innovations in technology began to excel in the 1990s, and the Scripps Company began to immerse themselves even more within cable television. Scripps began building the company further by purchasing Cinetel Productions, a Knoxville, Tennessee based cable programmer, and shortly after announced the launch of the Home and Garden Television. Taking the first steps with HGTV, the company began to carve out a defined reputation formed around lifestyle programming.

The company’s shift from newspaper to broadcast television, cable programming to the Internet, was complete. The creation of long-term value for their shareholders, moved the company into the future of the technological age. A separation that divided the company’s television lifestyle brands, and global Internet services occurred in 2008, which created two publicly-traded companies. [2]

SNI, Brands

Now a leading media enterprise, that still publishes magazines, SNI has a significant presence in television broadcasting, as well as a strong hold over the advantageous ways of the Internet in interactivity, marketing, and accessibility.

Key People

The current  President of Scripps Network Interactive is John F. Lansing. The current Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Scripps Network Interactive is  Kenneth W. Lowe, and who is credited for building the company into the success brand it is today. The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is Joseph G. Necastro.

Products

Ad., HGTV

Ad., Do It Yourself

Ad., Great American Country

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The major brands of SNI include variety and insights to approaches in lifestyle. The Networks first major brand is Home and Garden Television (HGTV), which is a leader in home and lifestyle television programming. Some television shows include House Hunters or Kitchen Cousins, which include remodeling, refurbishing, and decorating households by expert designers. HGTV products are sold, from home decor for bathrooms and bedrooms, to advice from professional interior designers and landscapers.

Along similar lines of home decoration and improvement, the brand Do It Yourself (DIY), which provides ‘How To’ descriptions and videos for household renovations online.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlrE0A_NBiw&feature=share&list=UUgezeU5ToWz2Eg5JjuIctng

Ad., Food Network

Food Network, includes Chef’s advice, recipes, entertaining tips on decorations as a host, and restaurant recommendations online and in their subscriber magazine, Food Network Magazine. Popular television shows include The Next Iron Chef, a competitive culinary showdown that   selects the next best chef to take the honorable position and title of Iron Chef.  Renowned chefs and recognizable personalities are also associated with the network, such as Giada De Laurentiis, with her own show, Giada at Home. Other popularized personalities include the likes of; Mario Batali, Rachel Ray, and Paula Deen.

Host, Giada De Laurentiis

Ad., Cooking Channel

The Cooking Channel, which has online recipes and cooking videos, as well as television programming, focusing on the culinary aspect of creating and eating healthy, enjoyable food. Some familiar hosts are Bobby Flay, who has a T.V. show, Brunch @ Bobby’s, as well as Emeril Lagasse, who has a show, Fresh Food Fast.  CityEats is also a brand, in partnership with the Food Network, in which brings light to the public, the world of restaurants with quality food, experience, and the experimentation of chefs, nationwide. The brand aims to provide the consumer with a genuine and overall enjoyable experience of dining out, while diversifying palate and cultural exposure through gastronomy. [4]

 

The Great American Country is a brand of the Scripps, which broadcasts country music entertainment, such as live concerts and country artist music videos. Television programming consists of shows like, Great American Heroes, hosted by country singer and philanthropist Trace Adkins, as well as the show Living Countryfied, which highlights food, festivals, and traditions across the nation.

Ad., Travel Channel

The Travel Channel is another brand that explores the world at large; from hotel booking and destination advice, to VIP Sweepstakes Vacation Prizes, the brand ultimately brings different cultures and places to the consumer. Television shows include writer and chef Anthony Bourdain’s, No Reservations, as well as the competitive show, Man vs. Food with Adam Richman. Whether an individual needs to take a business trip in a city they’ve never been, or one would like historical tour of a European city, the network provides rankings and reviews for the latter. The network has introduced The Layover App, for iPhones, iPads, and iPod Touch, which provides consumers with the ability to plan their trip on-the-go, equipped with maps and timelines anywhere: the ultimate travel guide. The app coincides with The Layover, which premiered this fall.

 

Major Competitors

Some of the company’s top competitors are NBCUniversal Media, LLC, Discovery Communications, Inc., and MTV Networks Company.

Finances

This year, 2012, the company reported to the Wall Street Journal above the expected net income for the second quarter (August). The company’s net income rose from $142.4 million, compared to last year’s second quarter, which was reported at $77.4 million. [5]

Wall Street Journal, Interactive Chart

The company continued to maintain strong profits in the third quarter (November). Scripps reported that net income rose about 20.1% to $118.4 million, compare to last year’s third quarter, reported at $98.6 million. [6]

Recent News

In the beginning of 2012, the company acquired the company RealGravity Inc., which specializes in online video publishing technologies. Scripps hopes to benefit from the innovative platforms that RealGravity develops, creating an stronger interactive digital team. [7]

Also this year, the company reached a long-time agreement with Comcast Xfinity, to bring more of Scripps television programming to different media platforms. “This agreement benefits our viewers and Comcast customers, making available on multiple platforms – both in home and out of home – our lifestyle programming that viewers are so passionate about,” said Henry Ahn, executive vice president of distribution strategy at SNI. [8]

More recent, the The Edward W. Scripps Trust ended, which controlled SNI since 2008, when the company became independent publicly traded. The grandson of the founder of the company, Robert P. Scripps, passed away, and was the last of the descendants upon which the trust was based. Meetings to distribute the assets have been underway, however will not occur immediately due to customary legal proceedings. [9]

Most recent, A.B. Cruz III, Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary at SNI, announced his resignation. He is stepping down because he wishes to fulfill his military responsibilities as a Rear Admiral in the U.S. Navy Reserve. Cruz held his position at SNI for 8 years, and his successor, Cynthia L. Gibson, member of the Senior Management Team at SNI, was appointed shortly after his announcement. [10]

Community Involvement

The company is extremely involved in the community. One effort is through the national partnership between the company and Share Our Strength. The organization aims to end childhood hunger in America by ensuring healthy food every day. [11] In 2011, Scripps provided 3.5 million meals to children at the risk of hunger, as well as invested $20 million dollars in educational and entertaining promotional value for healthy eating.

Logo, Rebuilding Together

Rebuilding Together. Scripps also pledged $15 million dollars in 2011 to support the program Rebuilding Together, in which provides extensive home rehabilitation and modification  services to homeowners in need. [3] The partnership aided  in the completion of 10,000 construction projects. Some other partnerships that the company has solidified are; American Cancer Society, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and Environmental Media Institution.

Due to the devastation of Hurricane Sandy 2012, the company donated to the Disaster Relief Effort $250,000, through the American Red Cross, to provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance to those affected by Hurricane Sandy. Along with this corporate donation, Scripps Networks Interactive is matching dollar-for-dollar employee donations to the American Red Cross through its corporate social responsibility program, Change the World. [12]

 Reference

1. http://www.scrippsnetworksinteractive.com/our-company/diversity/

2. http://www.scrippsnetworksinteractive.com/our-company/history/

3.http://www.scrippsnetworksinteractive.com/outreach/home/

4. http://www.scrippsnetworksinteractive.com/our-brands/cityeats/

5. http://wallstcheatsheet.com/stocks/scripps-networks-interactive-earnings-beats-the-street-on-profit-rise.html/

6. http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/490191-Scripps_Networks_Profits_Jump_20_1_in_Third_Quarter.php

7.http://ir.scrippsnetworksinteractive.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=222475&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1654876&highlight=

8.http://ir.scrippsnetworksinteractive.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=222475&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1715058&highlight=

9.http://ir.scrippsnetworksinteractive.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=222475&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1747643&highlight=

10.http://ir.scrippsnetworksinteractive.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=222475&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1763326&highlight=

11.http://www.scrippsnetworksinteractive.com/outreach/food/

12.http://www.scrippsnetworksinteractive.com/newsroom/company-news/Scripps-Networks-Interactive-Donates-to-Sandy-Disaster-Relief-Efforts/

 

 

Universal Pictures

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by Jordan Frankel


© Copyright 2012 Universal Studios

Key People

Ron Meyer– President and Chief Operating Officer

Adam Fogelson– Chairman

Jimmy Horowitz– President

Rick Finkelstein– Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer

Brief Overview

This year Universal celebrates its 100th anniversary, the company was incorporated April 30th, 1912 and has been shaping the history of film ever since. It is the oldest movie studio in the United States of America and has made such classics as All Quiet on the Western Front, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Deer Hunter, and Schindler’s List.[i]

In May of 2004 controlling stake in Universal was sold to General Electric resulting in the creation of the media super-conglomerate NBC Universal, while Universal Studios Inc. remained the name of the production subsidiary. Than in 2009 GE and Comcast announced a NBC Universal joint venture, with 51 percent owned by Comcast and 49 percent owned by GE.[ii]

 Films

For Universal Pictures the most surprising, successful, and highest grossing movie of the year came in the form of a stuffed animal teddy bear and it wasn’t the family friendly kind either. Ted, the R-rated comedy starring Seth MacFarlane, Mark Walhberg, and Mila Kunis, became the highest grossing R-rated comedy of all time and the first to gross over $500 million in the box office.[iii] The budget for Ted is $50 million and it is also the 8th highest grossing movie of the year.[iv]  The movie becomes available to own on December 11th, just in time for the holidays.

This fall Universal Pictures saw some success with The Bourne Legacy, a re-launch of the Bourne film franchise, based off of the Robert Ludlum’s novels. Matt Damon played Jason Bourne in the first three movies which in total grossed close to half a billion dollars with each new movie grossing more than the previous one.[v] Damon did not reprise his role in The Bourne Legacy; instead Jeremy Renner took over under the character Alex Cross. The reboot made the least amount of money of the four movies earning just over $113 million in the domestic box office.[vi] The worst part is the budget for this fourth film was $125 million, the highest of any Bourne film.[vii]

Since its release on September 28th, Pitch Perfect has become the second largest earner in musical comedy history at the box office behind School of Rock.  Starting with a budget of $17 million, Pitch Perfect has grossed just over $63 million thus far.[viii] Behind the directing of Jason Moore and a strong performance by Anna Kendrick the movie was well received by critics and got an “A” CinemaScore on an A+ to F scale. The DVD and Blu-Ray will be available on December 18th.

The biggest disappointment of the fall movie season for Universal Pictures is The Man With the Iron Fists. Since its release on November 2nd, the movie has just made its budget of $15 million back as of December 4th.[ix] With names like RZA, Russell Crowe, Lucy Liu and Quentin Tarantino attached to the film the buzz leading up to the movie was high, but mixed reviews and a CinemaScore of “C+” has caused Universal to reduce the number of theaters from 1,872 to 174 in just four weeks.[x]

Universal Pictures is looking to dominate Christmas weekend, as it is the only studio releasing a movie on December 21st and Christmas Day. The first movie will feature Judd Apatow’s return to the director’s seat in the kind of sequel to Knocked Up called This is 40.  Apatow is the mind behind some of Universal’s biggest comedy hits, the for mentioned Knocked Up and The 40-Year-Old-Virgin. This is 40 stars Apatow’s wife Leslie Mann and Paul Rudd. Critics have met the movie with great reviews, its over 80% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.

Universal Picture’s lone hope for a Best Picture Oscar is Les Miserables. The film is based on the Claude-Michel Schonberg and Alain Boublil‘s musical adaptation of Victor Hugo’s epic novel, all of which have the same title.  Acclaimed director Tom Hooper leads an ensemble cast featuring Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe and Anne Hathaway. The cast and crew took a major risk on this project, the actors sing “live” – they taped the vocal tracks while shooting, rather than in post-production – to make the film seem more real like an opera.[xi]  Besides receiving the academies top award the film has the potential to be seen in the categories of Best Director and Best Actor.[xii]

 Other News

Universal Pictures shelled out a lot of money this fall for two scripts with big names attached to them. It started in early September when Universal outbid DreamWorks for David Guggenheim’s (the writer of Safe House) new project entitled Black Box. The deal was reported to be in the seven-figure range. [xiii] A month later Universal purchased the rights to a comedy being produced by Will Ferrell, Adam McKay, Kevin Messick and Chris Henchy.[xiv]  The biggest script news out of Universal this fall is that the company selected Kelly Marcel to adapt the highly controversial book “Fifty Shades Of Grey” into a feature film.[xv]

Universal also began a couple major marketing campaigns for some of its 2013 movie releases. In late October they released the first trailer for Despicable Me 2, the original film was a big hit, grossing $543 million worldwide in 2010 and spawned an Orlando theme park ride.[xvi]  In September the company released its first look of the comedy Identity Thief, the studio moved the release date of this movie from mid-May to February 8th.[xvii]  The trailer with the most buzz is from Jurassic Park 3D, the studio is releasing the classic April 5th.

 Finances

As of December 2nd Universal Pictures held the 4th highest market share among studios with 12.2%, the studio trails Sony, Buena Vista, and Warner Bros. Universal Pictures has grossed $1.2 billion with just 15 films produced, the least among the top four.[xviii] Since October 4th the studio has made just over $75 million.[xix] The company should reach the $100 million mark for quarter four for the sixth straight year if This is 40 and Les Miserables make their money back.[xx]  In September Universal announced that they had already surpassed its best-ever result for North American box office beating the 2008 figure of $1.127 billion.[xxi]

A subsidiary of Universal Pictures is Focus Features. Located on the Universal lot Focus Features produces and distributes its own movies that are considered more art house type films.[xxii]  Separate from Universal, Focus Features controls 1.4% of the market share so far in 2012.  The company has made $135 million from eight movies thus far.[xxiii] They have one movie currently in theaters, Anna Karenina and will be releasing two more films by years end, Hype Park on Hudson and Promised Land.[xxiv]

Universal reached a major deal with Michael Eisner’s company, Tornante, in mid-November.  Tornante will produce an unspecified number of films to be sold globally by Universal. Tornante operates a cluster of media properties, including Vuguru, a digital studio focused on making original content for platforms like Hulu and AOL, and the Topps Company, the sports card creator and marketer. Mr. Eisner has spent recent months raising money for a film production fund and would like to have a movie in the marketplace by 2015.[xxv]

[i] History http://www.nbcuni.com/film/universal-pictures/

[ii] History http://www.reuters.com/article/2009/12/03/us-nbc-comcast-timeline-idUSTRE5B22SO20091203

[iii] Ted http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/seth-macfarlanes-ted-crosses-500-391158

[iv] Ted http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=ted.htm

[v] The Bourne Legacy http://collider.com/bourne-numbers-bourne-identity-bourne-legacy/188050/

[vi]  The Bourne Legacy http://boxofficemojo.com/franchises/chart/?id=bourne.htm

[vii] The Bourne Legacy http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=bourne4.htm

[viii] Pitch Perfect http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=pitchperfect.htm

[ix] The Man With the iron Fists http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=main&id=manwiththeironfists.htm

[x] The Man with the Iron Fists http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movie/man-iron-fists/review/385363

[xi] Les Miserables http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2012/dec/06/les-miserables-review-first-look

[xii] Les Miserables http://www.indiewire.com/article/2013-oscarpredictions

[xiii] Black Box http://www.deadline.com/2012/09/universal-back-in-biz-with-safe-house-scribe-david-guggenheims-black-box/

[xiv] Will Ferrell http://www.deadline.com/2012/10/universal-acquires-threesome-pitch-for-will-ferrell-and-adam-mckays-gary-sanchez/

[xv] Fifty Shades of Grey http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/08/kelly-marcel-fifty-shades-of-grey-screenwriter_n_1949163.html

[xvi]  Despicable Me 2 http://www.deadline.com/2012/10/despicable-me-2-trailer-premiere-universal-steve-carell/

[xvii] Identity Thief http://www.deadline.com/2012/09/identity-thief-trailer-melissa-mccarthy-jason-bateman-universal-pictures/

[xviii] Finances http://www.boxofficemojo.com/studio/

[xix] Finances http://www.boxofficemojo.com/studio/chart/?view=company&view2=&yr=2012&timeframe=Q4&sort=&order=&studio=universal.htm

[xx] Finances http://www.boxofficemojo.com/studio/chart/?view=company&view2=ytd&compare=Q4&studio=universal.htm

[xxi] Finances http://www.deadline.com/2012/09/universal-surpasses-best-domestic-box-office-year/

[xxii] Focus Features http://focusfeatures.com/about

[xxiii] Focus Features http://www.boxofficemojo.com/studio/chart/?yr=2012&view=company&studio=focus.htm

[xxiv] Focus Features http://www.boxofficemojo.com/studio/chart/?view2=upcoming&view=company&studio=focus.htm

[xxv] Tornante http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/11/13/michael-eisner-announces-a-film-deal-with-universal/

begin here

Universal Pictures

Aside

by [Bobby O'Brien]

Universal Pictures Logo [1]

Overview & History

Universal Pictures, a subsidiary of NBC Universal, is considered one of the planet’s most renowned film studios. For nearly a century the company has produced  academy award winning films and culture shaping content. Over the past 6 months, Universal Picture’s tradition of excellence has continued. Since June 29th 2012, Universal Pictures has released 5 major motion pictures. Of these films, 4 have placed within the top 70 grossing films of 2012, and 3 have placed within the top 50. These five films have accumulated a combined gross product of $442, 317, 963. [2]

Carl Laemmle [4]

In 1915, German-American Film pioneer, Carl Laemmle, founded Universal Studios with the help of Abe and Julius Stern. The trio constructed two movie sets on a former chicken farm in Los Angeles California. Ninety-eight years later, 100 Universal City Plaza Drive in Los Angeles California remains the home of Universal Studios. [3] Today Universal Pictures is spearheaded by several accomplished and capable leaders, including James Schamus, Jimmy Horowitz, Cindy Gardner, Adam Fogelson, and Rick Finkelstein.

Executives

James Schamus [6]

James Schamus is the Chief Executive Officer of Universal Pictures. He has held the position since May of 2006. Schamus also serves as the Co-President of Focus Features, a sister company of Universal Pictures. [5]

In May of 2010, Jimmy Horowitz was named president of Universal Pictures. Horowitz manages day to day business operations for the studio and serves as a key member for Universal’s senior management team. He has worked for Universal for more than 18 years. [7]

Cindy Gardner has served as Universal Studio’s Senior Vice President since September 2005. Gardner is responsible for the company’s media relations, issues management, philanthropy, and special events. [8]

Adam Fogelson has held the title of Chairman of Universal Pictures since October of 2009. He oversees worldwide operations for the motion pictures group. Projects that Fogelson has worked on include American Pie, Knocked Up, and Erin Brockovich. [9]

Rick Finkelstein serves as Universal Pictures Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer. This Jerry Seinfeld-look-alike oversees Universal Picture’s worldwide home entertainment and television distribution. [10]

Recent News

September:

September 7th, 2012

The Street has recently informed the public of Universal Pictures plans to release Pitch Perfect, a musical comedy staring Anna Kendrick, on Friday September 28th, one week earlier than its scheduled premiere on October 5th. The film’s wide release is set to remain on its prior date, however select theaters in North America will have an opportunity to see it ahead of time. The limited release was constructed following positive feedback from early screening moviegoers. Universal Pictures feels that Pitch Perfect has a reliable and sturdy target audience that is eager for the film’s release. To some surprise, Universal Pictures has promoted Pitch Perfect with “the most extensive screening campaign in the studios history.” [11]

September 25th, 2012

The Hollywood Reporter reports that Universal Pictures has set a record for the “highest grossing-year domestically in the studio’s 100 year history”. On Monday September 24th, the studio surpassed the previous record of $1.27 billion set in 2008. More than a third of the studio’s gross product came from The Lorax and Ted, acquiring a combined $432 million. This ground-breaking news comes before the release of four major Universal Pictures’ films, including Pitch Perfect,  The Man WIth the Iron Fists, This is 40, and Les Miserables. Universal Pictures is on track to shatter its 2008 record. Perhaps it will be far more than four years before the record of 2012 will be broken. [12]

October:

October 29th, 2012

According to Variety, Universal Pictures has alas acquired the rights to Subdivision. The sci-fi comedy written by Morgan Jugerson and Alex Ankeles will be produced by Justin Lin and Elaine Chin. All involved in the deal have been sure to keep the

Fast Five [16]

premise under wraps. Lin may be remembered for his recent success associated with Fast Five, a film he produced that was released in April of 2011. Universal’s VP of production, Kristin Lowe, will oversee the project. Unfortunately, a feasible release date for the film has yet to be determined. [13]

October 31st, 2012

PR Newswire has reported that Universal Pictures will release its Despicable Me 2, trailer on iTunes today. The occurrence marks the first time that the studio has released a trailer on iTunes with international versions available within the same 24 hour period. This development perhaps illustrates the studio’s continued technological and global advancements. Despicable Me 2 hits theaters on July 3rd 2013. [14] Universal will attempt to play off of the success of Despicable Me, which raked in a total domestic gross of $251,513,985 in the summer of 2010. [15] Look for Despicable Me 2 to make a big splash this summer. 

November: 

November 12th, 2012

The Hartford Courant has recently reminded us that, November 15th, 2012 marks the 50th anniversary of the groundbreaking premiere of To Kill a Mocking Bird. Universal

To Kill A Mockingbird [18]

Pictures’ adaptation of Harper Lee‘s novel will be re-released on Thursday, November 15th in select theaters. The 1962 film won Gregory Peck an Oscar for his portrayal of Atticus Finch. It will forever be remembered as an American classic. [17]

November 13th, 2012

At 9 a.m. pacific standard time, the Los Angeles Times reported a story that is sure to shake up the film industry. According to the newspaper, Michael Eisner‘s Tornante Co. has finalized a distribution deal with Universal Pictures. The multiyear deal will lead Universal Pictures to market and distribute movies financed by Tornante.  Eisner is the former Chief Executive Officer of the Walt Disney Company. In an attempt to “return to his roots” of moviemaking Eisner looks to take advantage of the industry’s lack of original stories. He hopes that the first of Tornante’s feature films will be released no later than early 2014. In a time when the film industry is cluttered with sequels and remakes, it is encouraging to hear of an opportunity for new and original content. With the money and support of Universal Pictures, Tornante Co., is likely to become a household name in Hollywood. [19]

November 29th 2012

In March of 2012 Universal Pictures Spent $5 million to acquire the movie rights of Fifty Shades of Grey, the best selling novel written by E.L. James. The Hollywood Reporter has released a story stating that Universal pictures has recently filed a lawsuit against Smash Pictures and director James Lane, who have recently finished producing Fifty Shades of Grey: A XXX Adaptation. Luv Moves a distribution company that packaged and allocated DVD’s of the porn parody has also been targeted in the lawsuit. Universal Picture’s and Fifty Shades Ltd. are requesting an injunction and further monetary damage. [20]

December

December 4th 2012

Universal Picture’s Les Miserables, is one of the most highly anticipated films of 2012. Set to be released on Christmas day, the musical starring Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, and Anne Hathawayis due for a strong opening weekend and perhaps some

Les Miserables [21]

recognition from the academy. The Sacramento Bee has reported an announcement from Universal Pictures, stating that the film will be “digitally remastered into the immersive IMAX format” and released in IMAX theaters worldwide. The film will be released in IMAX theaters in New York, Los Angeles, Toronto, and Montreal on December 25th. Those abroad will have to wait until January 10th for the film’s IMAX release. Greg Foster, the President of IMAX entertainment, stated that Les Miserables “lends itself perfectly to the IMAX Experience”. The IMAX release of Les Miserables is sure to amplify the buzz surrounding the movie and its premiere. The second format option and increase in screens may lead to a tremendous financial success. [22]

Future

The upcoming winter and remainder of 2012 appears to be promising for Universal Pictures. On December 21st 2012, This is 40, a film written and directed by Judd Apatow, will be widely released in North America. The highly anticipated Les Miserables, will premiere on Christmas day and the Osama Bin Laden murder thriller, Zero Dark Thirty, will be released two and a half weeks later. A fitting end to a record-setting year seems to be in store for Universal Pictures.

Sources: 

[1] Universal Pictures’ Twitter Account; https://twitter.com/UniversalEnt

[2] Box Office Mojo; 2012; http://www.boxofficemojo.com/yearly/chart/?yr=2012&p=.htm

[3] U.S. History: Universal Studios; http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h3086.html

[4] Silent Hollywood; http://silenthollywood.com/carllaemmle.html

[5] Bloomberg Business Week; http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/person.asp?personId=2144227&privcapId=2092219&previousCapId=804881&previousTitle=Universal%20Studios,%20Inc.

[6] IMBD; James Schamus; http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0770005/

[7] NBC Universal Website; Executives; Jimmy Horowitz; http://www.nbcuni.com/corporate/management/executive/universal-pictures/jimmy-horowitz/ 

[8] NBC Universal Website; Executives; Cindy Gardner http://www.nbcuni.com/corporate/management/communication-lead/universal-pictures/cindy-gardner/ 

[9] NBC Universal Website; Executives; Adam Fogelson http://www.nbcuni.com/corporate/management/senior-corporate-executives/universal-pictures/adam-fogelson/

[10] NBC Universal Website; Executives; Rick Finkelstein http://www.nbcuni.com/corporate/management/executive/universal-pictures/rick-finkelstein/ 

[11] PR Newswire; The Street;  http://www.thestreet.com/story/11689878/1/universal-pictures-to-release-pitch-perfect-in-select-theaters-on-friday-september-28-2012.html 

[12] Tatiana Siegel; Pamela McClintock; The Hollywood Reporter http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/universal-pictures-box-office-hits-one-billion-373928

[13] Jeff Sneider; Variety; http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118061411

[14] PR Newswire; United Business Media; http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/universal-pictures-announces-the-new-despicable-me-2-trailer-will-launch-worldwide-on-itunes-on-wednesday-october-31-2012-176616821.html

[15] Box Office Mojo; http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=despicableme.htm

[16] Netflix; http://movies.netflix.com/WiMovie/Fast_Five/70157102?locale=en-US

[17] Susan Dunne; Hartford Courant; http://articles.courant.com/2012-11-12/entertainment/hc-alt-mockingbird-1115-20121112_1_connecticut-post-atticus-finch-digiplex-bloomfield 

[18] Amazon; http://www.amazon.com/To-Kill-a-Mockingbird/dp/B000ID37RM 

[19] Dawn C. Chmielewski; The Los Angeles Times http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-tornante-strikes-deal-with-universal-20121112,0,2336520.story

[20] Eriq Gardner; Hollywood Reporter; http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/fifty-shades-grey-porn-adaptation-395478 

[21] IMBD; Les Miserables; http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1707386/

[22] IMAX Corporation; The Sacramento Bee; http://www.sacbee.com/2012/12/04/5030373/universal-pictures-les-miserables.html