Cathy Escandell has been promoted to vice president of publicity,acquisitions and local productions at Sony Pictures Releasing International(SPRI).

Escandell, who reports directly to senior vice president ofmarketing, acquisitions and local productions Sal Ladestro, formerly served asa senior publicist with the division.

In her new role she will plan and execute all internationalpublicity campaigns for pictures under the Sony banner, including upcomingreleases like the number one US title Hostel, Underworld: Evolution, Capote and The Squid And The Whale.

Escandell oversaw the international publicity campaign for StephenChow's $100m worldwide hit Kung Fu Hustle, among others, and organised the international launch of TheExorcism Of Emily Roseat Venice.

"I can confidently state that much of our films' success in theinternational marketplace, especially Kung Fu Hustle, are due to her vision, commitment,imagination and hard, hard, hard work," Ladestro said.

Escandell joined SPRI in December 2000 as a junior publicist.Prior to that, she worked at Alliance Atlantis in international marketing andpublicity.