Tony Manne, the international distribution veteran who has worked at Columbia Pictures for 30 years, is leaving his post as executive vice president of international marketing and distribution for Columbia TriStar Film Distributors International (CTFDI) and setting up his own distribution and marketing consultancy.

Manne will move from Los Angeles to New York to set up the company, Bristol Media International, which will also have a non-exclusive deal with CTFDI. "I am thrilled to be back in New York and to be able to continue my relationship with the Columbia Pictures family," said Manne in a statement. "At the same time, it's exciting to tackle something new. I believe my expertise and years of experience in international distribution, marketing and exhibition will enable me to provide added value to a wide range of films which are all too often left to their own devices in this age of split rights, independent financing and pre-sold distribution."

Manne began his career as a management trainee at Columbia in 1963, subsequently holding management positions at the company's offices in Rio de Janeiro, Rome, Paris and Lisbon. In 1972, he left the studio to launch his own art film distribution and exhibition outfit in Brazil, later becoming a partner in JAD Films Inc, a New York-based independent film sales company. He then served as vice president and Latin American supervisor for United Artists before rejoining Columbia in 1981.

From 1981 to 1984, Manne was vice president and supervisor for Europe, Africa and the Middle East for Columbia Pictures International, subsequently becoming executive vice president, international sales, for the studio till 1987 and then for TriStar Pictures till 1988. He was promoted to his current position in 1997.