Paramount Pictures International has hired new executives in two key territories.

Ichiro Okazaki will start his post as president of Paramount Pictures Japan as of Sept 1.

Pierre Auger will take on the role of general manager, Paramount Pictures Spain, from December 2007.

PPI was launched in January after the restructuing of United International Pictures (UIP) and is continuing to expand its own operations in key territories.

Okazaki has worked at BVI in Japan since 1993, most recently as vice president, sales. Prior to BVI, he worked at Mitsubishi.

Andrew Cripps, president of PPI, said: 'He brings with him over 15 years experience in the Japanese motion picture industry and we can now look forward to 2008 with great confidence'.

Since 1999, Auger has headed the marketing division of Paramount Home Entertainment Spain. Prior to Paramount, he held management positions at Gillette and Citroen.

Cripps said of Auger's new role: 'We are very pleased to be making this appointment from within the Paramount organization. With our tremendous line-up of films for 2008 we look forward to great success in the Spanish marketplace.'

PPI will continue to be distributed by Universal Pictures Spain through July 2008.

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