Sven Sturm has been appointed general manager of Paramount Pictures Germany, the newly set up German operation from Paramount Pictures International.

Sturm had been head of marketing at Sony Pictures Releasing (Germany) since 2000. Prior to that he worked at Universal Music in Germany.

He takes the Munich-based post as of Sept 1. PPI will continue to distribute via Universal in Germany through December 2008.

PPI president Andrew Cripps said: 'In making the announcement, we are very pleased to have someone of Sven's experience to head up our new operation in Germany. Paramount believes strongly in the German marketplace and we feel it holds a lot of potential for growth for both local and foreign films and we look to participate in both under Sven's leadership and guidance.'