PPI FILLS KEY POSTS

Paramount Pictures International has hired new executives in two key territories. Ichiro Okazaki, who comes from BVI, will take up the role of president of Paramount Pictures Japan from September 1. Pierre Auger will become general manager, Paramount Pictures Spain, from December 2007.

ODD LOT BOOSTS TOP LINE

Odd Lot Entertainment has bulked up its executive suite, hiring Keith Kauffman as senior vice-president of business and legal affairs; Andrew Boyd as director of marketing and publicity; Yvette Pereira as manager of accounting; and Shirley Kim as manager of international business affairs. Natalya Petrosova has been promoted to senior vice-president of finance, while vice-president of development and acquisitions Eryl Woodlief will work on projects for Odd Lot International in an expanded role. Chris Ranta has been promoted to manager of physical production.

MEYERS UP AT FOCUS

Focus Features has promoted Howard Meyers to executive vice-president of business affairs. Meyers will serve as co-head of the department alongside executive vice-president of strategic planning, business affairs and acquisitions Avy Eschenasy. Meyers has been at Focus since its launch in 2002.

FILM DEPARTMENT MAKES CREATIVE DECISIONS

Former Warner Independent Pictures executive Amanda Coplan has been hired as vice-president of production at Mark Gill and Neil Sacker's The Film Department. Andrew Klausmeyer, John Meckler, Natalie Borlaug, Christine Otal and Isaac Takeuchi have been appointed creative executives at the company.

CHEUNG TAKES UP IMAGI ANIMATION ROLE

Imagi International Holdings has appointed former DreamWorks CGI animator Tim Cheung as vice-president, animation. Cheung will oversee the animation for all of Imagi's CGI feature films and will manage the company's team of around 400 Hong Kong-based animators.

IDP TAPS PR VETERAN

Liza Burnett Fefferman has been named senior vice-president of publicity at IDP/Samuel Goldwyn Films. She is a veteran of Dan Klores Communications and The Weinstein Company.