Universal Studios Home Entertainment Bolsters Marketing and Publicity Functions

Universal Studios Home Entertainment Bolsters Marketing and Publicity Functions

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif., July 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Hilary Hoffman has been named to the newly-expanded position of Executive Vice President, Marketing and Lea Porteneuve has advanced to Senior Vice President, Communications & Publicity for Universal Studios Home Entertainment (USHE). Both promotions were announced today by USHE President Craig Kornblau.

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In her new capacity, Hoffman will oversee all facets of marketing for USHE, including creative and content development. She will continue to drive the marketing strategy for all Blu-ray(TM) and DVD new release, catalog and television titles, as well as for all emerging digital platforms.

"Over the years, Hilary has made significant contributions to our overall success," said Kornblau. "She has developed strategic marketing campaigns that have stood out against the competition and driven consumer sales beyond industry expectations. Her vast insight and expertise will be vital to our efforts as we continue to aggressively promote burgeoning physical and digital platforms."

Hoffman, who has been with USHE since 1994, previously served as Senior Vice President, Brand and Digital Marketing. During her 15-year tenure, she has managed marketing for USHE's domestic and international businesses. Prior to Universal she worked in the marketing department at Buena Vista Home Entertainment. She will continue to report to Kornblau, Universal Pictures President of Marketing and Distribution Adam Fogelson and Universal Pictures President of Marketing Eddie Egan.

In her expanded role, Porteneuve will serve as chief spokesperson for USHE, oversee all business, technology and executive communications and supervise strategic publicity initiatives for the Blu-ray(TM) and DVD launches of key film and television titles. She is also the company's principal PR strategist on cross-studio committees dedicated to the advancement of the home entertainment industry, which includes serving as a member of the Communications Committee for the trade association the Digital Entertainment Group (DEG).

"Lea is a seasoned communications strategist who is equally accomplished in the realms of publicity and corporate communications," said Kornblau. "We're very excited to announce this expansion of her already considerable responsibilities within our division."

Before joining USHE in 2004, Porteneuve spent nearly a decade at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, where she advanced to Vice President, Corporate Communications. Porteneuve reports to Hoffman and Universal Pictures Executive Vice President of Marketing and Publicity, Michael Moses.

About Universal Studios Home Entertainment

Universal Studios Home Entertainment is a unit of Universal Pictures, a division of Universal Studios (www.universalstudios.com). Universal Studios is a part of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Formed in May 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80% owned by General Electric and 20% owned by Vivendi.

CONTACT:
Kori Bernards
Senior Vice President, Media Relations
Universal Pictures
818-777-7216
kori.bernards@nbcuni.com

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Source: Universal Studios Home Entertainment

CONTACT: Kori Bernards, Senior Vice President, Media Relations of
Universal Pictures, +1-818-777-7216, kori.bernards@nbcuni.com

Web Site: http://www.universalstudios.com/

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