One of the executives behind Wal-Mart's recent push into the digital media download market has left the mega-retailer to help Apple grow its iTunes video business internationally.
Kevin Swint, former divisional manager for digital media at Wal-Mart Stores, will join Apple this week as general manager of international video for iTunes, where he'll be responsible for acquiring movies and TV shows for all non-U.S. countries.
He'll reportedly be seeking licensing deals for both pay-per-download content and timed digital rentals, the latter of which would help see the launch of iTunes Movie Rental services over seas.
Swint's departure from Wal-Mart comes just weeks after the retailer shuttered its much-hyped online video download service and also decided to scale back on its remaining digital music and movie initiatives.
"I am starting at Apple this week and the role is head of video international, but I really shouldn't comment any further," Swint said in an e-mail to MultiChannelNews, confirming his departure from Wal-Mart.