In a move designed to improve domestic release standards, Russian Central Partnership Sales House has created a new position of vice president theatrical distribution, and appointed Andrey Radko to the role. Radko's previous role of theatrical distribution general manager is taken by Vadim Vereshchagin.

Radko will be responsible for theatrical distribution, advertising and PR for all CP Sales House domestic releases. Vadim Vereshchagin joins from Buena Vista Sony Pictures CP Sales House As well as building relationships with cinemas, Vereshchagin will be responsible for all projects released in conjunction with Paramount Pictures International.

'Such a breakdown of responsibilities will enable us to tie up the Russian film releases to the standards of Paramount projects', said Ruben Dishdishyan, president of Central Partnership Group.

'The scale and volume of projects to be released by Central Partnership in 2009 calls out for unified operational standards more than ever,' he continued, 'and the new appointments are just the first stage of a theatrical distribution streamline process including concurrent development and implementation of hi-tech theatrical distribution tools, such as special information technologies, online channels of materials delivery to cinema theatres and other innovations'

Russian film and television industries are becoming increasingly entwined. The Central Partnership Group is representative of the trend whereby large Russian TV companies branch out into film production and distribution.

Central Partnership began as a TV series distributor in 1996 and expanded into film production and distribution in 2002. It is now one of the biggest independent producers in Russia, currently looking to boost its theatrical distribution within the Central Partnership Sales House.