Peter Cramer and Jeffrey Kirschenbaum are promoted to  co-presidents of production following news of the departure of production head Debbie Liebling “to pursue other opportunities.”

“Over the past 18 months, as we refined our process, it became clear that a different structure would better suit our needs going forward,” chairman Adam Fogelson and co-chairman Donna Langley said in a statement.

“The new structure will have a smaller executive team with broader responsibilities. Debbie has been a good leader and strong contributor through this transition period and we wish her well in her new endeavours.”

The statement continued: “Peter and Jeff are strong leaders with complementary strengths, and that will help us to achieve the right balance between managing the group and working on specific films. We’re thrilled they have accepted the role of co-presidents.”

Cramer currently serves as senior executive vice-president of production and came to Universal in 2005. He was promoted to senior executive vice-president in January 2010 and has worked on American Gangster and The Adjustment Bureau, among others, and is overseeing the studio’s upcoming films Safe House, Ted, The Bourne Legacy, Savages and American Reunion. Before Universal he was evp at New Regency. 

Kirschenbaum is currently evp of production and has been with Universal since 2001 when he started as director of development. He served as the production executive on Universal’s highest opening film of all time, Fast Five, and also on Universal’s highest grossing film of 2009, Fast & Furious. His credits include Wanted and The Bourne Ultimatum and he is working on Battleship, Snow White And The Huntsman and 47 Ronin. Before Universal, he spent three years as an executive at Mace Neufeld Productions.

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