Steve Mertz has been promoted to senior vice president, legal and business affairs, and general counsel - Europe for Warner Bros, from his previous position as vice president and general counsel - Europe.

In his new post, Mertz will head Warner's European legal and business affairs department, managing the team of lawyers responsible for representing the company's corporate interests as well as overseeing those Warner Bros lawyers who directly support key operating divisions.

He will also be involved with Warner's wholly owned, licensed and joint venture operations in Europe, supervise legal and business initiatives, intellectual property issues, EU regulations and directives, regulatory compliance and litigation and other areas.

Mertz joined Warner in 1991 as director, legal and business affairs - Europe. Prior to that, he spent three years at Denton Hall Burgin & Warrins in London as a senior assistant in the firm's entertainment department.

The announcement was made by John A Schulman, Warner Bros' executive vice president and general counsel.