NBCUniversal's Shell Game

SHELL GAME: In a clear demonstration of how the foreign market is now the tail that wags the dog for the movie biz, NBCUniversal has shaken up its executive ranks. Jeff Shell, who's resided in London as head of International for NBC, will lead the freshly minted Universal Filmed Entertainment Group. Film unit Chairman Adam Fogelson is exiting the company, and Universal Studios prez Ron Meyer, who's topped the company for nearly two decades, moves to an "advisory" role as vice chairman of NBCUniversal, according to reports. Uni Pictures Co-Chairman Donna Langley is upped to Chairman, reporting to Shell. Fogelson and Meyer were the key survivors of the GE regime. International business now accounts for some 70% of movie revenue, and Shell is of course ideally qualified to move the company strategically in this brave new world. Uni has had a good year, with hit sequels like Despicable Me among its box-office successes. (9/10a)