Universal Pictures International (UPI) has appointed Ivor Viljoen as managing director of Universal Pictures Nordic (encompassing Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland) and Edgar Adelmund as managing director of Universal Pictures Iberia (Spain and Portugal).

Viljoen's appointment was effective from April 3. He formerly served as senior VP, Europe for Paramount Home Entertainment International.

He replaces the interim managing director, Anders Tullgren, who had run the Nordic unit for the last six months. Tullgren will now take on a senior business development and global partnership role at UPI in London.

Adelmund has taken up his Madrid post from April 1, after previously serving as MD of Universal Pictures Benelux.

Pauline Grimaldi will now manage Universal Pictures Benelux. Her title of MD Universal Pictures France will now extend to be regional managing director of France & Benelux.

"I am delighted to announce the appointment of two high calibre MDs to drive and grow Universal's operating companies in Nordic and Iberia," said Peter Smith, president of UPI.

Universal noted that its regional management strategy was designed to "bring greater regional synergies." Its other regional managing directors in addition to Grimaldi are Eddie Cunningham (UK, Nordic, Australia); Dirk Lisowksy (Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Iberia); and Paula Valente (Latin America, Mexico, Brazil.)