Mark Braddel, currently director of sales for Europe, the Middle East and Africa at Columbia TriStar Film Distributors International (CTFDI), has been promoted to vice president, sales. Braddel is based in London and will oversee territories including Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa. He will report directly to CTFDI senior executive vice president Mark Zucker.

"Mark has worked in the international marketplace for more than 20 years and he is an invaluable member of our core distribution team," said Zucker in a statement. "He is a consummate professional who is well regarded and respected for the work he has done in expanding growth opportunities within unique parts of the world. Few executives share his knowledge or thorough understanding of these emerging international territories and we are proud to recognise his hard work with this well-deserved promotion."

Braddel joined Columbia-EMI-Warner more than 20 years ago as a shorts clerk in the booking department. He cut his teeth on sales as a member of the statistics department, where he helped set up a new box office collection and reporting system for small and mid-sized markets. In 1987 he became sales controller for Europe for Columbia TriStar before becoming director of sales for Europe, the Middle East and Africa in 1992.