Jeff Robinov has been named president of the newly formed Warner Bros Pictures Group, a streamlined production operation that encompasses the studio's worldwide production, marketing and distribution units as well as Warner Independent Pictures.

Robinov will assume his new post in January 2008 following the announcement by Warner Bros president and CEO Alan Horn, to whom he will report and who retains ultimate greenlight authority.

The new position grants Robinov greater input on projects from inception to exhibition. He will continue to oversee all aspects of creative production per his former role as the studio's production chief, and continue to share oversight with Warner Bros Home Entertainment Group of the studio's direct-to-platform production arm Warner Premiere.

The heads of domestic and international marketing and distribution, physical production, post production, theatrical music and Warner Independent will all report directly to him.

Horn highlighted Robinov's ability to balance 'creativity with commerce' and praised his contribution to the studio's tentpole and Academy Awards successes.

Warner Bros chairman and CEO Barry Meyer said the promotion and formation of Warner Bros Pictures Group marked the third phase of the company's strategic alignment of its major businesses following similar moves in television and home entertainment.

Robinov was promoted to Warner Bros president of production in 2002 and the studio has crossed the $1bn threshold in domestic and international revenues every year since then, setting several records along the way.

He joined the studio in 1997 as senior vice president of production and was promoted to executive vice president in 2000. Prior to Warner Bros he was an agent at ICM.

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