Universal lures Twentieth Century Fox chief for video marketing role

Universal Pictures International has hired Mary Daily from Twentieth Century Fox to be president of marketing at its video distribution arm UPIV.

Daily takes up a newly-created post. New video marketing was previously handled by David Livingstone, who now concentrates on theatrical marketing.

Daily will report to UPIV president Peter Smith, and will be based in London. She will be responsible for marketing all Universal and DreamWorks video products, as well as other releases. These include forthcoming titles such as DeamWorks’ The Road to El Dorado.

Daily was vice-president of marketing for Europe (videos) at Twentieth Century Fox, and helped develop a strategy for releases such as Titanic, The Full Monty and Independence Day. Twentieth Century Fox has yet to find a replacement.

Daily was well-known for turning video release promotions into special events. When The Full Monty was released, Daily organised groups of male strippers to perform on TV and in retails outlets across Europe.

Before joining Fox, Daily held a number of marketing and sales positions at Thorn EMI and French company Thomson.