Chief Named at New Sony Division

Sony Pictures Entertainment named Bruce Stein, head of Sony Interactive Entertainment, president of its new consumer products marketing group.

Stein had headed the interactive unit, working on such products as the company’s PlayStation video game unit, since late last year.

In his new job, Stein is expected to work on enhancing the Sony brand name. Sony Signatures, a merchandising and licensing unit of the company, will become part of Stein’s new group.

* DreamWorks SKG named former Hasbro executive Simon Spalding to head the studio’s European consumer products group.

* Sol Rosenthal, longtime head of the entertainment law practice at Buchalter, Nemer, Fields & Younger, has become of counsel with the law firm Blanc, Williams, Johnston & Kronstadt in Century City.

* Actor Martin Landau has formed Silver Street Pictures along with producer Richard Abramson, entertainment executive Billy Mancini, financier Gustavo Spoliansky and businessman William J. Bateman. The company has a multi-picture deal with MGM/UA Distribution and Largo Entertainment.

* Warner Bros. promoted Tom Lassally to executive vice president of production.

* Richard Hoffman has been named vice president of the talent division at Warren Cowan & Associates.

* International Creative Management named Ellen Kroner senior vice president of corporate communications.