Robert Mitchell (pictured)has been promoted to senior vice president and managing director of Buena VistaInternational (UK) in the wake of Daniel Battsek's departure to head up thenew-look Miramax.

Mitchell will be responsiblefor BVI UK's marketing, publicity and distribution operations and reports toBVI president Mark Zoradi and BVI Europe executive vice president and generalmanager Stuart Salter.

He most recently served asthe company's senior vice president of marketing/sales and deputy managing directorand spearheaded the successful UK releases of Pirates Of The Caribbean,Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy,and Sin City, among others.

"Having worked withRobert for more than a decade, I truly believe he is the best possible personto head BVI's UK team," Zoradi said.

"Robert is a provenindustry executive who is incredibly creative and talented. Under his guidance,our UK office will continue to flourish," Salter added.

"I am looking forwardto the new challenges that lay ahead and am truly excited to be working with myteam on our upcoming releases including The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Lion,The Witch And The Wardrobe, and ChickenLittle."

Among Mitchell'saccomplishments of note at BVI UK has been the development of blue chippartners in advertising and promotions.

He joined BVI UK in 1992 asmarketing director and shortly after that was promoted to vice president ofmarketing. Prior to that he served at Palace Pictures, Warner Brothers (UK) andthe Lonsdale Advertising Agency.