TOMB RAIDER FIRM ACQUIRES HUARD
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[ November 1st 2001 ]

United International Pictures' retained French PR company Lumiere Publicite has found a successor to founder Maurice Hanoka, who has retired after 20 years heading the firm.

The Young & Rubicam-owned consultancy - which handles PR, marketing and advertising for UIP movies, such as Tomb Raider and the recently released American Pie 2 - has hired Stephane Huard as general manager. Huard joins from The Walt Disney Company France, where he acted as head of merchandising licensing.

Stephane Huard reports to Y&R's Christian Liabastre, who is also president of Lumiere Publicite. Huard said he had no plans to change staff numbers in his new role, but said he hoped to handle PR for more local French films, which are also distributed by UIP. Lumiere Publicite, which was bought by Y&R three years ago, publicises the release of up to 35 major movies a year.