Universal Creative: Molly Murphy to be new president

Dewayne Bevil, Orlando Sentinel
·2 min read

Molly Murphy will be the new president of Universal Creative starting next month, Universal Destinations & Experiences announced Monday.

Murphy has been part of Gensler, an architecture, design and planning firm, most recently as principal and co-managing director of Gensler New York. She co-founded Gensler’s Digital Experience Design practice, which uses technology to create immersive spaces.

Orlando-based Universal Creative designs rides, attractions and resorts for Universal parks worldwide. Murphy follows Michael Hightower, who retired as president in March.

“Our focus on expanding the Universal brand to new people, in new places and on new platforms is well underway,” Mark Woodbury, chairman and CEO of Universal Destinations & Experiences, said in a news release. Murphy’s “ability to blend technology with architecture, brand and design will help take our great product to even higher levels.” Woodbury is a former president of Universal Creative.

“Human interaction and connection are at the heart of physical design and the delivery of compelling places,” Murphy said in Universal’s news release. “Universal brings this idea to life better than anyone else, and I am looking forward to joining the team as we create authentic, lasting experiences for our guests and fans around the world.”

Among the Universal projects underway are Epic Universe, a theme park under construction a few miles southeast of the current Universal Orlando attractions, as well as a small-scale theme park near Dallas and a year-round horror experience in Las Vegas. Universal plans to open Epic Universe in the summer of 2025.

Murphy earned her master of architecture and master of business administration degrees from the University of Illinois.

Barbara Bouza, another former Gensler executive, is now president of Walt Disney Imagineering. She took over from Bob Weis, who took the position of leader of immersive experience design at Gensler in early 2023.

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