Doug Neil has been appointed senior vice president of new media atUniversal Pictures.

Neil, who most recently served as director of entertainmentstrategy and sales development for America Online, become the studio's chiefstrategist for the development and implementation of new media marketingcampaigns for theatrical releases.

He will also supervise the company's ongoing efforts in emergingdigital promotional platforms. Based on the studio's Universal City lot, hewill report to co-president of marketing Eddie Egan.

'Doug's extensiveexperience in both entertainment and online marketing make him uniquelyqualified for this vital position,' Egan said.

'In addition to being an extremely creative marketingexecutive, he has demonstrated his ability to manage multiple and diversecampaigns in a range of still evolving media.'

Neil joined AOL in 2000 as director of account services where hemanaged the online marketing campaigns for AOL's film partners includingUniversal, Warner Bros, New Line and Sony. He was promoted to director ofentertainment strategy in 2004.

Prior to AOL heserved as vice president of marketing for the children's entertainmentproduction and distribution company Hollywood Ventures.