US home entertainment giant Blockbuster has appointed former TXU Corporation legal chief Eric Petersen as its new general counsel and company secretary.

Petersen joined US energy giant TXU in 2002 as its first-ever general counsel after a spell with Detroit-based DTE Energy.

He announced that he was to leave TXU in March after playing a key part in the company's restructuring. He has been replaced in the top legal role by TXU associate general counsel David Poole, formerly managing partner of Texas law firm Hunton & Williams.

Commenting on the appointment of Petersen, Blockbuster chairman and chief executive Jim Keyes said: "Eric has an extensive background in highly competitive, fast-moving industries. In addition to his considerable legal expertise he is also a seasoned business executive."

Blockbuster is one of the world's largest film video-game rental companies, with annual revenues of over $5bn (£2.5bn) and more than 7,800 outlets globally.

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