United Artists, the movie studio controlled by Tom Cruise and his producing partner, Paula Wagner, hired a top executive from Walt Disney Co. to oversee marketing and publicity, according to Thursday news reports.

Dennis Rice was appointed president for worldwide marketing and publicity at United Artists, according to the New York Times. The Los Angeles Times reported that Rice will be responsible for theatrical, home video and other promotional campaigns at United Artists and will report to Wagner.

He was a senior vice president of the Buena Vista Pictures marketing division of Burbank's Disney (NYSE: DIS - News) who oversaw the marketing for movies including "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest," "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" and "Wild Hogs," the New York Times reported.

Los Angeles-based United Artists is majority-owned by Los Angeles-based Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc.