Warner Bros. Discovery International Kids Team Gets Major Leadership Reshuffling
Warner Bros. Discovery’s international kids content team is getting a major organizational chart overhaul including a promotion for Pablo Zuccarino and the exit of APAC chief Christopher Ho.
The changes were revealed in an internal memo from Vanessa Brookman, gm of kids, global streaming and international networks, that was reported by Kidscreen and Deadline. The memo also revealed numerous other expanded leadership roles for other people, including Madrid-based Ana González, the current vp of kids content in Southern Europe and Africa, who is adding Ho’s APAC territory to her responsibilities.
Regarding Ho’s exit, Brookman wrote:
Chris has been a passionate advocate and leader of the kids business across the region. He has been a huge champion for our kids content and brands throughout APAC, demonstrating audience expertise, creative excellence and consummate professionalism throughout his tenure. … Chris has spearheaded some of the most significant recent developments in the region, including the launch of the Singapore-produced Tom and Jerry series [and] the rollout of Cartoonito. We extend our gratitude to him for his excellent service and dedication.
In other changes, LA-based Michelle Truong is moving to become manager, original animation under Michael Ouweleen, president of Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, and Boomerang.
Miami-based Pablo Zuccarino has been promoted to head of kids and animation in LatAm and international portfolio strategy, reporting to LatAm and US Hispanic president and MD Fernando Medin. Previously, Zuccarino was svp and gm for kids and family LatAm and US Hispanic. The newly-created role, Brookman wrote, will allow Zuccarino to launch new content “in the most harmonious and impactful way across the globe, working with stakeholders across the wider WBD business.”
In the London office, Sean Henry has been promoted to vp of international content partnerships and content strategy for EMEA; Sean Gorman is now vp of pay TV networks for EMEA and oversight of kids channels in the UK, the Nordics, the Middle East, North Africa and Turkey; and Mark Taynton’s added duties are head of Adult Swim, EMEA, and adult animation content management international.
Additional, Monika Oomen is now vp of brand, communications and digital strategy EMEA; Alison York is head of kids data and insights; and Sarah Fell is vp of original animation EMEA, Hanna-Barbera Studios Europe (Fell reports to Warner Bros. Animation president Sam Register).
Assessing the overall changes, Brookman said:
These changes confirm the roles and responsibilities for WBD’s International kids’ and animation leadership, establishing a new center for strategy, decision-making and the greenlighting of content that will propel our kids’ business forward.
