Stacey Snider has joinedDreamWorks as co-chairman and chief executive officer following a nine-yeartenure at Universal Pictures where she served as chairman for the last six.

Snider joins the film and television studio recently acquired by Paramount and willassume responsibility for four to six release a year.

Reporting to Paramount chairman and chief executive officer Brad Grey, Sniderwill run DreamWorks' day-to-day operations with two of the studio's threefounding partners Steven Spielberg and David Geffen, who continue to serve asdirector-producer and co-chairman respectively.

In recent weeks observers have speculated on Snider's next move after itemerged that she was keen to reduce her workload in order to spend more timewith her family. DreamWorks, which will serve as a supplier studio toParamount, may well prove to be a perfect fit.

"This is an emotional beginning and ending for me," Snider said. "I've hada long and fulfilling career at Universal as it's been my home for over nineyears. I wish only the very best for all of my many friends there.

"I'm thrilled to be joining a new family and be part of the transformationgoing on at Paramount under Brad's dynamic leadership with Gail [Berman,president] and Rob [Moore, president of worldwide marketing, distribution andoperations].

"I've dreamed of working with Steven Spielberg for many years; and this ismy opportunity to be part of the Tiffany company that he, David Geffen, andJeffrey Katzenberg [now chief executive officer of DreamWorks Animation] havefounded. I'm excited to help build upon the work they've already created and toenable its even greater success."

"Stacey is an enormously gifted creative executive and we couldn't be morepleased that she'll be working with David, Steven and our entire DreamWorksteam," Grey said. "Her taste in material and talent, in concert with her skilland dedication, have fostered extraordinary films over the years.

"I'm confident Stacey will be hugely successful in this new chapter of her lifeand career."

"I am overjoyed about Stacey joining our team," Spielberg added. "I haveknown and respected her exceptional talent for a long time - almost fromthe beginning of her career. She adores films and brings to this business- and this art form - talent, experience, and enthusiasm thatinspire those who work with her.

"Along with all my DreamWorks partners for the last 12 years, we have built avery solid foundation for Stacey to take us even higher."

Snider joined Universal inDecember 1996 as co-president of production and was promoted to head ofproduction in April 1998. She was named chairman in 1999. Prior to Universalshe served as president of production at Tri-Star Pictures.