Michael Brooks has been appointed GM for Australia and New Zealand at Warner Bros. Discovery.
In addition to his existing role as MD of Warner Bros. International Television Production Australia, Brooks will take on an expanded role with immediate effect, joining James Gibbons and Ronald Goes, President, WBITVB.
Brooks has been with the company since 2016 and prior to that spent more than 10 years in the US, including leadership positions at BBC Studios and Endemol Shine North America.
In the newly expanded position, Brooks will oversee all non-theatrical businesses locally, including networks and streaming, content licensing and home entertainment, consumer products and games and WBITVP Australia. WBITTV New Zealand remains within its current reporting structure at WBITTV headquarters in London and is not part of Brooks’ extended remit.
Separately, current APAC Chief Financial Officer Justin Emmer has decided to leave the company at the end of the year. „[Emmer] It has been a great partner to me and the leadership team in driving our financial operations and supporting the region’s strategic goals. I want to thank Justin for his dedication and wish him all the success for the future,” said Gibbons.
Nilesh Zaveri has been appointed SVP, CFO & COO, APAC and will join WBD on September 9, reporting to Trey Turner, CFO of International. In this dual role, Zaveri will lead APAC finance operations and support business operations and planning across the region, contribute to growth initiatives and drive operational excellence and performance.
Zaveri joins WBD with over 20 years of Asia leadership experience. Most recently, he was the MD of VICE Media Group’s APAC operations, where he successfully launched the regional business to deliver revenue and audience growth. Prior to that, Nilesh held regional CFO roles at VICE, Discovery and Fox.
„Combining a strong global mindset with a deep understanding of industry dynamics and local markets, Zaveri will be a key partner for our APAC business as we further scale across the region,” WBD said.