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ROME � Universal Pictures has appointed David Moscato managing director of its Italian homevid unit, Universal Pictures Italy, in a move further underscoring Italy's importance for the Hollywood studio.

Moscato, a former regional manager at electronics company Logitech Europe, will report to Dirk Lisowsky, who is regional chief of Universal Pictures International Entertainment for Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal and Italy.

Universal, which was Italy's top theatrical distributor last year with a 20% local market share, is also among the country's leading homevid players as attested by "Kung Fu Panda," which is topping the country's sell-through charts.

Earlier this week, the U.S. studio took a 20% stake in prominent local indie stable Cattleya in a multi-pronged deal under which Universal will also be handling homevid rights on select Cattleya titles.