George Leon has been promoted to executive vice presidentof worldwide consumer marketing for Columbia Tristar Motion Picture Group in amove that consolidates theatrical licensing, merchandising, product placement,consumer products and worldwide promotions under one division.

In his new capacity Leon will take on the additionalresponsibility of supervising licensing, merchandising, and consumer products,a division previously overseen by Al Ovadia, who leaves the company to pursueother opportunities.

Leon will continue to oversee worldwide promotions andwill continue to report to Geoffrey Ammer, president of worldwide marketing forthe Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group.

"Inconsolidating these areas of our business, we will be creating a one-stop officefor our partners, and there is no executive better in the company to overseethis new division than George," Ammer said in a statement.

"With hiswork on a diverse slate of films including Spider-Man 1 and 2, Charlie'sAngels, and Men in Black 2 among many others, George has guided innovative andphenomenally successful promotions with blue chip brands around the globe.

Since March2003, Leon has served as executive vice president of worldwide promotions andproduct placement for Sony Pictures Entertainment.

He joined thecompany in April 2000 and has been responsible for planning and implementingpromotions, producttie-ins and product placement for all the studio'stheatrical releases.

Leon mostrecently oversaw the promotional campaign supporting Spider-Man 2, and iscurrently working on campaigns for upcoming releases including Bewitched, FunWith Dick And Jane, Memoirs Of A Geisha, XXX: State Of The Union, and Stealth,among others.

Prior to joiningSony, Leon served as vice president of promotions for Fox FamilyWorldwide/Saban Entertainment, and as director of sales and marketing atCamelot Licensing.

"Al'scontributions to Sony during his tenure in the area of film and televisionlicensing have been noteworthy, most especially his work on Spider-Man andSpider-Man 2," Ammer said of Ovadia's departure.

"While I ampersonally disappointed in having to leave the company, I understand that atthe end of the day the change is in the best interest of SPE going forward,"Ovadia added.