Universal Pictures International Entertainment (UPIE) top brass announced on Monday [15] that the former Sony Pictures Home Entertainment executive has been hired as managing director of Italian operations.

Paris will start work on Aug 1 and reports to Dirk Lisowsky, regional managing director of GAS and Italy.

Paris most recently served as country manager and managing director for SPHE Italy and is a nine-year Sony veteran.

Prior to Sony he held sales roles at Fininvest Group’s Medusa Video and Columbia Tristar Home Video.

Last month Universal and Sony announced a deal whereby the former would distribute Sony Pictures Home Entertainment DVD and Blu-ray in Italy, commencing in October.

Universal Pictures Italy has distributed Paramount home entertainment product since 2011.

“We are delighted to have extended our international partnership with Sony to include this distribution agreement in Italy and look forward to welcoming seasoned executive Roberto Paris to the team as our new managing director,” said UPIE president Eddie Cunningham. 

“Whilst this move will create synergies for both companies, our key objectives are to help our retail customers to successfully navigate the Italian market challenges and to create a terrific organisation to remain at the forefront of the Italian business, being a great partner for both Sony and our existing partner Paramount.”

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