Focus Features merging with Uni division

January 14, 2009 Universal's Focus Features and its international sales arm Focus Features International are joining forces with Uni's international production division to create a new, merged entity that will take a global approach to the film business. FFI's Alison Thompson will continue as president of international sales and distribution, overseeing the international sales organization, while John Lyons will continue as president of production at Focus, reporting to Schamus. Universal sold genre division Rogue Pictures to Relativity Media for $150 million last month -- but Schamus emphasized, "This is not about cost savings, it's not about layoffs -- there will be no layoffs -- and it's not about the downturn in the economy."

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