Kevin Tsujihara Headshot - P 2013
Warner Bros. is realigning its TV and home entertainment operations. CEO Kevin Tsujihara announced the plans Wednesday, promoting of a handful of executives in the process. The studio is shaking up the large divisions in an effort to boost production.
“The digital revolution continues to change every aspect of the way we do business, and this strategic realignment will help us address those changes to better deliver our world-class content to the widest array of consumers across the globe,” said Tsujihara. “Warner Bros. has the world’s best television series, films, games and original digital content, and we are committed to maximizing its value to the company, our creative partners and, ultimately, consumers.”
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The news comes on the heels of Warner Bros. Television Group president Bruce Rosenblum exiting after more than 20 years with the studio. As previously reported, Peter Roth will now serve as Television Group president and CCOWarner Bros, reporting directly to Tsujihara. “The goal is to take advantage of Peter’s magic on all aspects of what we do,” Tsujihara tells The Hollywood Reporter in an interview.
“It would be remiss of me to not mention the great things Bruce accomplished,” Tsujihara says. “He’s a colleague and a friend. We had another outstanding upfront. Our shows are front and center. Bruce accomplished amazing things.”
Additionally, Craig Hunegs has been upped to Television Group president of business and strategy, joining the boards of both the CW Network and Shed Media. Jeffrey Schlesinger has been elevated to Warner Bros. Worldwide Television Distribution president.
“One of Warner Bros.’ greatest strengths has always been its people, and this realignment will tap into the expertise and experience of a number of the company’s longstanding executives,” added outgoing Warner Bros chairman Barry Meyer. “The studio and its leadership have a legacy of adapting and evolving to meet and exceed consumers’ demands. The changes announced today continue that tradition and solidly position us for future success.”
Warner Bros. digital distribution president Thomas Gewecke has been upped to chief digital officer and executive vice president of business strategy and development at Warner Bros. Entertainment, now charged with driving the studio’s global digital efforts and business strategy. Reporting directly to Tsujihara as well, he’ll also oversee Warner Bros. technical operations, corporate business development, and home entertainment’s direct-to-consumer, business development and Flixster groups.
Warner Home Video president Ron Sanders moves up to Warner Bros. Worldwide home entertainment distribution president, where, among other things, he’ll expand the retail distribution of DC entertainment products. And DC Entertainment’s Diane Nelson, remaining president, of the stand-alone entity, will report to both Tsujihara and Warner Bros. Pictures Group. president Jeff Robinov.
Meyer and Tsujihara also sent out the following memo, acknowledging the departure of Rosenblum:
We wanted to let you know that our valued colleague Bruce Rosenblum, President of the Warner Bros. Television Group, has decided to leave the studio.
In his 25 years at Warner Bros., as all of you know, Bruce helped build one of the world’s most successful global television production and distribution operations. With his great energy, skill, creativity and vision, Bruce — and the strong team he has built around him — was responsible for some of the most popular and successful television series of all time, including Friends, ER, The West Wing, Two and a Half Men, Two Broke Girls, The Ellen DeGeneres Show and The Bachelor.
Bruce has been a vital member of the Warner Bros. family and a good friend to so many of us, and he will be missed.
Please join us in congratulating Bruce for his remarkable tenure at the studio and wishing him great success as he embarks on the next chapter of his career and life.
Matthew Belloni contributed to this report.
