Paulo Simoes hasbeen promoted to general manager of Columbia TriStar Films (CTF), Italy, basedin Rome, senior executive vice president of Columbia TriStar Film DistributorsInternational (CTFDI) Mark Zucker announced today (Apr 15).

For the past twoyears, Simoes served as theatrical manager for CTF Italy, where he was involvedin the record-breaking opening of the Sony's Spider-Man. He followed up on that with stronglocal releases for Men In Black II and XXX.

Simoes arrivedat the Italian office in 2001 after spending a year as deputy general managerfor the division in Spain and four years as general manager in Puerto Rico.

"Paulo hasexcellent leadership skills, tremendous energy and the experience of ourbiggest year ever, to drive us towards an even greater level of success,"Zucker said in a statement. "We're thrilled that he will be overseeing ourtheatrical operations in Italy."

Simoes began hiscareer in 1992 as assistant manager for Universal Pictures in Puerto Rico,before he transferred to CTF two years later.

FabrizioFerrucci, the former general manager, will continue as managing director ofColumbia TriStar Home Entertainment, concentrating on the growing Italian homeentertainment market.