Peixoto tapped UCI topper

By ANDREW HINDES

United Cinemas Intl., Paramount and Universal's joint overseas exhibition venture, has officially announced the appointment of former Famous Players prexy Joseph Peixoto as its president and CEO.

Peixoto, a longtime UCI board member, took over the reins of the circuit several months ago. He is based at the company's L.A. offices.

UCI is in the midst of a push into several new territories, including Japan where it plans to build 20 theaters. The company also is moving into Brazil (15 theaters), Italy (four theaters) and Poland (10 theaters) and will expand its presence in Germany, where 20 new multiplexes are set to open in the next 18 months.

The 44-year-old Portuguese-born Peixoto is widely admired by colleagues and competitors alike as a people person with a flare for management and marketing.

He joined the 500-screen Toronto-based Famous Players Theatres as president in 1992, overseeing a major multiplex-building program at the wholly owned Paramount subsidiary.

Before that, Peixoto spent five years at the 80-screen Metropolitan circuit in Southern California. His previous credentials include three years as VP and Western division manager of domestic distribution for De Laurentiis Entertainment Group and film buyer for Mann Theatres.

UCI operates 421 screens in 10 countries, including the U.K., Ireland, Germany, Austria, Spain and Japan.