Warner Bros Discovery has announced a significant restructuring of its international kids content unit, with several executives taking on expanded roles and the departure of APAC chief Christopher Ho. The changes were communicated in an internal memo by Vanessa Brookman, who was promoted to General Manager of Kids, Global Streaming, and International Networks in December last year.
Pablo Zuccarino, Ana González, Sean Henry, Sean Gorman, and Mark Taynton are among the executives assuming broader responsibilities. Michelle Truong will transition from Michael Ouweleen’s U.S. team to become Manager of Original Animation. Meanwhile, Christopher Ho, who served as Vice President of Kids for APAC, will be exiting the company as a result of these changes.
Brookman expressed her gratitude to Ho, stating, “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.”
Ana González, currently Vice President of Kids Content for Southern Europe, APAC, and Africa, will add APAC to her editorial responsibilities. Based in Madrid, González will now oversee a broader range of content across multiple regions.
Pablo Zuccarino, previously Senior Vice President and General Manager of Kids and Family for Latin America and U.S. Hispanic, will expand his duties in Latin America. He will now serve as Head of Kids and Animation for Latin America and Portfolio Strategy for International. Zuccarino will focus on rolling out Warner Bros Discovery content globally in a cohesive and impactful manner, working closely with stakeholders across the company. He will report to Fernando MedÃn, President and Managing Director for Latin America and U.S. Hispanic.
Sean Henry, based in London, has been promoted to Vice President of International Content Partnerships and Content Strategy for EMEA. Sean Gorman will take on new pay-TV responsibilities for networks across EMEA, in addition to his current duties overseeing kids channels in the UK, Nordics, Middle East, North Africa, and Turkey. Gorman is now Vice President of Pay TV Networks for EMEA.
Mark Taynton has been appointed Head of Adult Swim for EMEA and Adult Animation Content Management International. Michelle Truong will be based in Los Angeles in her new role focused on original animation.
The senior international kids TV team will also include Monika Oomen, Vice President of Brand, Communications, and Digital Strategy for EMEA; Alison York, Head of Kids Data and Insights; and Sarah Fell, Vice President of Original Animation for EMEA at Hanna-Barbera Studios Europe. All three are based in London, with Fell reporting to Sam Register, President of Animation.
Brookman emphasized that these changes solidify the roles and responsibilities for Warner Bros Discovery’s international kids and animation leadership. “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,” she said.
In December, Brookman’s promotion was part of a broader shake-up that included the departures of Meredith Gertler and Lisa Holme. Brookman, who has been with Warner Bros Discovery for over eight years, joined from Viacom and has primarily headed up content for the UK and Northern Europe. She reports to Gerhard Zeiler, President of International, with a dotted line to J.B. Perrette, CEO and President of Global Streaming and Games.
Brookman’s expanded role includes developing global kids content franchises, overseeing both original productions and acquisitions. She will work closely with Michael Ouweleen, President of Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Boomerang, and Discovery Kids, as well as the U.S. networks team.
Meredith Gertler and Lisa Holme, who have been pivotal in shaping the company’s streaming content strategy, are leaving the company. Gertler, who has been with Warner Bros Discovery for nearly 20 years, played a crucial role in the launches of HBO Max and Discovery+. Holme joined Discovery in 2020 from Hulu and has overseen global content strategy, merchandising, and podcasts for Warner Bros Discovery Streaming.
In an internal memo, J.B. Perrette praised Gertler’s contributions, stating, “Meredith has been an incredible teammate and friend to many over her illustrious tenure, and she will be greatly missed.” Casey Bloys, Chairman and CEO of HBO and Max Content, added, “Meredith and I joined HBO around the same time, and she has been a great friend and partner for those 20 years.”
Perrette also acknowledged Holme’s impact, writing, “Lisa has been a great partner and delivered terrific results, and we wish her the very best in her next endeavor.”
To navigate these exits, Warner Bros Discovery has added responsibility for content strategy and planning, as well as EMEA acquisitions, to Josh Walker’s remit as Chief Financial and Strategy Officer for Warner Bros Discovery Streaming. Global Chief Marketing Officer for Direct-to-Consumer, Pato Spagnoletto, will now oversee content merchandising and scheduling.
The restructuring aims to create a more coordinated and strategic global leadership around kids content, networks, and brands for both streaming and networks. Perrette emphasized the need for continuous adaptation in the ever-changing media landscape, stating, “While the media landscape around us is more in flux than ever, our teams, our processes, our rigor, our products are better than ever… and our ambition and belief that we can be one of the top global streamers is stronger than ever.”
Source: Deadline, Kidscreen
