Trio to Oversee Universal’s Global Video Operation

Continuing the reorganization of its home-video operations, Universal Studios has created an “executive office” to oversee its worldwide video business. Three executives essentially replace former home-video President Louis Feola, who was shifted to the newly created position of president of Universal family and home entertainment production three weeks ago.

Two of the appointees were already at Universal. Ten-year Universal veteran Andrew Kairey--who was No. 2 to Feola-- retains the title of executive vice president, Universal Studios home video, but his responsibility has shifted from the domestic to the international market. Universal’s international video is handled by CIC, which also distributes video internationally for Paramount.

Bill Clark, who joined Universal from the Spelling Entertainment Group in September, retains the title of executive vice president and chief operating officer for Universal home video. Clark oversees such areas as business development, finance and administration on a worldwide basis.

Former Twentieth Century Fox video marketer Bruce Pfander was named executive vice president, domestic, for Universal home video. For the past two years, Pfander has been an executive and consultant in high-tech ventures; he previously spent 10 years in marketing for Fox home video, and before that worked for Coca-Cola and General Mills. Pfander is credited with Fox’s hugely successful video re-release of the “Star Wars” trilogy and for creating successful branded back-title catalog lines for the company.

(Fox has had its own share of turmoil in video. Following Pfander’s departure, longtime Fox video head Bob DeLellis left last May. He was replaced from within by Jeff Yapp, but Yapp soon left to join retailer Hollywood Video. For the past several months, Fox consumer products head Pat Wyatt has been acting president of home video.)

Universal has now shifted its two top video executives--in moves described as promotions--within the last month. Universal was fourth among the six major studios in sell-through (versus rental) market share for 1997, according to VideoScan. In rental, Universal was fifth, according to VSDA VidTrac.

Universal would particularly like to grab sell-through share from dominant Disney and Warner Bros. The family-oriented production arm Feola now oversees is being touted as one vehicle to do that. Universal has also begun releasing videos from October Films, the independent that Universal Studios purchased a majority interest in last year, and DreamWorks SKG.