Universal Pictures Creates Family Productions Division

Posted on March 16, 2005

Universal Pictures said it is dedicating new efforts in the family arena with the establishment of Universal Studios Home Entertainment Family Productions (USHEFP). Mary Parent and Scott Stuber, respectively Vice Chairman, Worldwide Production, Universal Pictures, made the announcement. Under the leadership of Craig Kornblau, President, Universal Studios Home Entertainment, the new unit's day-to-day operations will be overseen by family entertainment veteran Glenn Ross, who has been appointed to serve as General Manager / Executive Vice President, USHEFP. Under Kornblau and Ross, USHEFP will develop, produce, and acquire live-action and animated family productions directly for the home entertainment market, as well as television. All Universal production entities developing and producing family-oriented product for the home entertainment and television sectors will now fall under the USHEFP banner, including the Universal Cartoon Studios, which will report directly to Glenn Ross. Also, as part of the restructuring, London-based Universal Pictures Visual Programming President Hugh Rees-Parnall will now report to Universal Pictures International President Pete Smith. Prior to joining Universal as General Manager / Executive Vice President USHEFP, veteran home entertainment executive Glenn Ross served as the President of Lions Gate's Family Home Entertainment division (FHE) as well as Executive Vice President, Lions Gate Home Entertainment.