Former Miramax senior vice president of production Erica Steinberghas joined Universal Pictures in the same capacity.

Steinberg will report to the studio's presidents ofproduction Jon Gordon and Donna Langley and will be based at the studio'sUniversal City headquarters.

She served 16 years at Miramax, where her highlights includeoverseeing production and serving as executive producer on Kill Bill Vols 1 and 2 as well as John Madden's upcomingElmore Leonard adaptation Killshot.

Steinberg also acquired film rights to Emma McLaughlin and NicolaKraus's bestselling book The Nanny Diaries and John Irving's The FourthHand, which the novelistadapted for the screen.

She worked closely with the acquisitions department scouting filmsand talent at global festivals, and brought the Zack Braff's GardenState to the company,which Miramax jointly released with Fox Searchlight.

"I had the immense pleasure of working closely with Erica forthe over 15 years we were both at Miramax and I am keenly aware of the uniquecombination of skills she brings to the role of production executive,"Gordon said.

"Erica'sintelligence, experience and passion have always served her to be able to bringout the best work in creative talent. At the same time, her extensiveexperience in the field of publicity gives her a special edge for what works inthe marketplace."