Mary Parent and Scott Stuber have each been appointed to the newpositions of vice chairman of worldwide production for Universal Pictures.

In their new jobs they will continue to oversee worldwideacquisition, creative development and production of all Universal's films, aswell as overseeing the studio's original made-for-video productions and creativedevelopment and production of original animation.

Both Parent and Stuber will continue to report to Universalchairman Stacey Snider. The new deal extends their contracts through to 2006.

"In the past six years we've seen a real turnaround in our businessand Mary and Scott have been instrumental in developing the strategies anddelivering the films that have brought us consistency and success," Snider saidin a statement.

"[They] have great taste, deep talent relationships and the skillsto plan out films and our slate with fiscal and strategic vision."

Both Parent and Stuber joined Universal as senior vice presidentsof production in August 1997 and rose through the ranks to become presidents ofproduction in February 2001.

Their creditsinclude Hulk, the AmericanPie franchise, ABeautiful Mind, BringIt On and the upcoming VanHelsing, among others.