Greg Schenz has been promoted to senior vice president of business and legal affairs for Intermedia, Jon Gumpert, vice-chairman and head of motion picture operations, announced.

Continuing to report to Gumpert, Schenz will expand his role in negotiating deals with above-the-line talent and in financing and co-production transactions.

In addition, he will serve as Intermedia's business affairs and legal liaison to I.S. Film Distribution, the fledgling joint venture between Intermedia and Summit Entertainment. This role will grant him greater involvement in acquisition and distribution matters.

"In his two years with Intermedia, Greg has shown his intelligence, his talent and an uncompromising ability to get the job done," Gumpert said in a statement. "Greg's promotion and his broadened role make Intermedia a stronger company."

Schenz was formerly vice president of business and legal affairs, after joining Intermedia in Aug 2001.

Prior to that he was associate in the entertainment department at law firm Loeb & Loeb and counsel to the business and legal affairs department of International Film Guarantors.

Intermedia's release slate includes Terminator 3: Rise Of The Machines, which will be released through Warner Bros in the US on Jul 2; and the serial killer thrillers Suspect Zero and Mindhunters, both due to open in 2004.