Robert Levin, the president of worldwide marketing for Sony Pictures Entertainment, has resigned his post and will leave the company immediately. He joined the studio in 1996 and was responsible for all worldwide marketing activities for the company's theatrical releases and its consumer products organisation.

"I am quite proud of what I accomplished during my four years at Sony Pictures," said Levin in a statement. "It is now time, however, to move on to the next chapter of my life. Throughout my career what has excited me the most are the challenges that marketing offers. As I look to the future, I will once again seek an opportunity that offers such challenges."

Levin's departure had been expected for some time. "We wish him well in whatever he chooses to do next," said SPE's chairman and CEO John Calley.

Levin was president of worldwide marketing at Walt Disney Studios before he joined Sony. While at SPE he worked on the releases of such campaigns as Men In Black, Air Force One, As Good As It Gets, Godzilla, Big Daddy, Stuart Little and Charlie's Angels.