Warner Bros. Discovery appoints new GM for Australia and New Zealand
Michael Brooks takes on expanded role
Warner Bros. Discovery has announced a significant leadership change in its Australia and New Zealand operations. Michael Brooks has been appointed as the new General Manager for the region. This role is in addition to his current position as Managing Director of Warner Bros. International Television Production (WBITVP) Australia. Brooks will report directly to James Gibbons and Ronald Goes, the president of WBITVP.
Brooks, who has been with Warner Bros. since 2016, brings a wealth of experience to his new role. Before joining Warner Bros., he spent over a decade in the United States, holding leadership positions at BBC Studios and Endemol Shine North America.
Expanded responsibilities
In his newly expanded role, Brooks will oversee all non-theatrical businesses in Australia and New Zealand. This includes networks and streaming, content licensing, home entertainment, consumer products, and games. Additionally, he will continue to manage WBITVP Australia. However, WBITVP New Zealand will remain under its current reporting structure, reporting to WBITVP HQ in London, and will not be part of Brooks’ extended remit.
Leadership changes in APAC
In a separate development, Justin Emmer, the current Chief Financial Officer for the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, has decided to leave the company at the end of the year. James Gibbons expressed his gratitude for Emmer’s contributions, stating, ”Justin has been an excellent partner to me and the leadership team in driving our financial operations and supporting the region’s strategic goals. I’d like to thank Justin for his dedication and wish him every success for the future.”
Nilesh Zaveri joins as SVP, CFO & COO, APAC
Nilesh Zaveri has been appointed as the new Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Operating Officer for the APAC region. He will join Warner Bros. Discovery on September 9, reporting to Trey Turner, the CFO of international operations. In this dual role, Zaveri will lead APAC financial operations and support business operations and planning across the region. His responsibilities will include contributing to growth projects and driving operational excellence and efficiency.
Zaveri brings over 20 years of pan-Asian leadership experience to Warner Bros. Discovery. Most recently, he was the Managing Director of VICE Media Group’s APAC operations, where he successfully launched the regional business, delivering revenue and audience growth. Prior to that, he held regional CFO roles at VICE, Discovery, and Fox.
A strategic move for growth
Warner Bros. Discovery’s decision to appoint Brooks and Zaveri to these key roles underscores the company’s commitment to strengthening its leadership team and driving growth in the APAC region. With Brooks’ extensive experience in television production and Zaveri’s deep understanding of industry dynamics and local markets, the company is well-positioned to scale further across the region.
“Combining a strong global mindset with a deep understanding of industry dynamics and local markets, Zaveri will be a key partner to our APAC business as we look to scale further across the region,” said Warner Bros. Discovery.
Personal reflections for cinema, TV series, and music enthusiasts
For those passionate about cinema and TV series, these leadership changes at Warner Bros. Discovery could signal exciting developments in the content available in Australia and New Zealand. With Brooks at the helm, we can anticipate a continued focus on high-quality television production and innovative content licensing strategies.
For music enthusiasts, the appointment of Zaveri, with his background in media and entertainment, could lead to new opportunities for music-related content and collaborations within the APAC region. His experience at VICE Media Group, known for its cutting-edge content, might bring a fresh perspective to Warner Bros. Discovery’s approach to music and entertainment.
In-depth analysis and distinctive comments
The strategic appointments of Brooks and Zaveri highlight Warner Bros. Discovery’s commitment to enhancing its leadership team and driving growth in the APAC region. Brooks’ extensive experience in television production and Zaveri’s deep understanding of industry dynamics and local markets position the company for continued success.
As Warner Bros. Discovery continues to expand its footprint in the APAC region, we can expect to see a greater emphasis on localized content and innovative distribution strategies. This could lead to a more diverse and engaging array of content for audiences in Australia, New Zealand, and beyond.
For more information on Warner Bros. Discovery’s latest content, check out the trailers for their upcoming movies and TV series here.
Stay tuned for more updates on the latest developments in the world of cinema, TV series, and music.