Michael Brooks has been appointed General Manager for ANZ at Warner Bros. Discovery.
James Gibbons – the company’s president, ANC region – announced Brooks’s promotion at WBD, alongside confirmation of current APAC CFO Justin Emmer’s departure after 19 years with the company.
Gibbons said of Brooks’s appointment:
“In addition to his existing role as Managing Director, Warner Bros. International Television Production Australia, Michael will assume this expanded role immediately, reporting to me and Ronald Goes, President, WBITVP.
“Michael has been with the company since 2016, and prior to this, spent more than 10 years in the US, including leadership positions at BBC Studios and Endemol Shine North America.
“In this newly expanded position, Michael will oversee all non-theatrical businesses locally, comprising Networks and Streaming, Content Licensing and Home Entertainment, Consumer Products and Games, as well as WBITVP Australia. WBITVP New Zealand remains within its current reporting structure into WBITVP HQ in London, and is not part of Michael’s extended remit.”
Gibbons added that Nilesh Zaveri, formerly of Vice Media Group, Discovery and Fox, has been appointed as SVP, CFO & COO, APAC, and will join WBD on September 9, reporting to Trey Turner, CFO, International. In this dual role, Zaveri will lead APAC financial operations and support business operations and planning across the region.
The entertainment industry is always abuzz with new appointments, promotions, and departures, and the recent news about Michael Brooks being appointed General Manager for ANZ at Warner Bros. Discovery is no exception. James Gibbons, the company’s president for the ANC region, made the exciting announcement, further confirming the departure of Justin Emmer, the current APAC CFO, after nearly two decades with the company.
Michael Brooks, who has been with Warner Bros. since 2016, brings a wealth of experience to his new role. His previous leadership positions at BBC Studios and Endemol Shine North America have prepared him well for this expanded responsibility. As Gibbons stated, Brooks will now oversee all non-theatrical businesses in the region, including Networks and Streaming, Content Licensing and Home Entertainment, Consumer Products and Games, as well as Warner Bros. International Television Production Australia. It’s a significant step for Brooks and will undoubtedly bring new challenges and opportunities.
In addition to Brooks’s promotion, the appointment of Nilesh Zaveri as SVP, CFO & COO, APAC, brings further depth to Warner Bros. Discovery’s leadership team. Zaveri’s background in companies like Vice Media Group, Discovery, and Fox will undoubtedly contribute to the company’s financial operations and overall business strategy in the region. With Zaveri joining on September 9, there is a sense of anticipation for the new direction that his expertise will bring to the table.
The entertainment industry is constantly evolving, with new players entering the scene and established companies making strategic moves. Warner Bros. Discovery’s recent announcements show their commitment to staying at the forefront of the industry, adapting to changing trends and technologies. As the landscape of entertainment continues to shift, it will be exciting to see how these new appointments shape the company’s future and contribute to its overall success.
