indieWIRE ALERT: Linde Leaving Focus; Joining Shmuger Atop Universal

Focus Features co-president David Linde is leaving the specialty division to become co-chairman of Universal Pictures alongside Marc Shmuger (who was previously vice chairman of the studio). The appointments are effective immediately according to an announcement today from Universal Studios president and COO Ron Meyer.

Linde is expected to make the transition over the next few months, moving to Los Angeles by this summer. Focus co-president James Schamus and his excecutive team are expected to continue running the specialty division. In the new post, Linde and Shmuger will oversee Universal Pictures, its home entertainment division, and Focus Features/Rogue Pictures. [Eugene Hernandez]