DreamWorks Euro chief quits after Universal deal

DreamWorks has lost its European head of consumer products, Simon Spalding, as a result of Universal Studios taking over the Hollywood studio’s merchandising activities.

Spalding has already left the company, and is working on several consultancy film projects. He was DreamWorks’ most senior marketer in Europe.

His role is taken over by Universal Studios Consumer Products managing director Bruno Maglione, who was poached from his position as marketing director at Disneyland Paris in February (MW February 11).

The move results from Universal taking over the wider commercial aspects of DreamWorks operations, such as the licensing and merchandising of its film and television projects around the world, in April.

DreamWorks is the Hollywood studio formed by Steven Spielberg, former Disney film studios chairman Jeffrey Katzenberg and founder of Geffen Records David Geffen.

Spalding joined DreamWorks in May 1996 from Hasbro, where he was European vice-president of strategic marketing. He worked on the company’s Jurassic Park range of products and its best-selling boy’s toy, Action Man.