Longtime Sony Picturespublicity strategist Susan van der Werff has been promoted to executive vicepresident of international publicity for Sony Pictures Releasing International.

The promotion, announced byPaul Smith, president of worldwide theatrical operations for the studio, comeson the eve of SPRI's launch of The Da Vinci Code as the opening night of the Cannes Film Festival.Van der Werff has been the architect of the Da Vinci campaign, organizing acollaboration with Eurostar on a high-speed train ride that will transport thefilm's stars and the studio's executives from Waterloo Station in Londonnon-stop to Cannes.

van der Werff has served ashead of publicity for the division for over a decade and has worked at Columbiafor 21 years. She has spearheaded global PR campaigns for blockbuster filmsincluding Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2, Hitch, Terminator 3: Rise Of TheMachines and Erin Brockovich.

"Susan is a valued andadored member of our international team and one of the most accomplished andrespected publicity exectives working in the business today," said Smith."She is completely dedicated to the success of every project she managesand she has earned the trust and confidence of talent and filmmakers all overthe world. We couldn't be more pleased to recognise and reward her hard workwith this well deserved promotion."

van der Werff began hercareer in the sales department of Columbia Pictures in 1982. She left thecompany in 1987, returning in 1990 to serve as international marketingliaision. She was promoted to vice president, media relations, in 1992,and three years later took the reins of the international publicity departmentas vice president, publicity and promotions. She was promoted to seniorvice president of the division in 2000.