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Universal Studios Forms Universal Studios Partnerships

Universal Studios announced the creation of Universal Studios Partnerships (USP), an agency-inspired entity designed to oversee multi-divisional corporate alliances as well as theatrical and home entertainment promotions. USP expands upon and renames Universal Partnership Development, a group currently overseeing long-term corporate alliances. Stephanie Sperber, svp, Universal Partnership Development, has been promoted to evp, USP, reporting to Universal Pictures vice chairman Marc Shmuger.

USP will service the needs of both Universal Studios internal business units and its external partners. The new structure includes an account management function that will serve as a single, consistent point of contact for all brands once they have joined Universal as a corporate or single-property partner.

Shmuger said, "As Universal continues to evolve, the new structure allows interaction with our partners to be clear, simple and effective. The agency mindset of Universal Studios Partnerships will allow us to service relationships to their fullest and ultimately make us a better partner. Stephanie is one of the brightest stars in the executive ranks of Universal and this leadership position is well deserved. She has the talent, savvy and, perhaps most importantly, the vision to make her mark as an industry leader."

Sperber added, "Corporate and promotional partners are focused on both seeing a return on their investment and the quality of their daily interaction with their studio partners. USP will allow us to create, communicate and service realistic programs that will allow everyone to meet their goals. Continuing to work with all of the business units of Universal Studios is a wonderful opportunity I am very much looking forward to undertaking."

While serving as svp at Universal, Sperber built revenue-generating strategic alliances with major global brands and studio divisions, including theme parks, pictures, television, music and games.

Universal Pictures is a division of Universal Studios, which is part of NBC Universal. NBC Universal is one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production and marketing of news, information and entertainment content to a global audience. Formed in May 2004 through the merger of NBC and Vivendi Universal Ent., NBC Universal owns and operates a broadcast television network, a fast- growing Spanish-language broadcast network, a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment cable networks, a premier motion company and television production studios, a leading television stations group and theme parks. NBC Universal is 80%-owned by General Electric Co., with 20% held by Vivendi Universal S.A.

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