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 assume the expanded role immediately, reporting to James Gibbons and Ronald Goes, President of WBITVP.
Brooks joined the company in 2016 and previously spent more than 10 years in the US, including in management positions at BBC Studios and Endemol Shine North America.
In the newly expanded role, Brooks will oversee all non-theatrical business areas locally, including Networks and Streaming, Content Licensing and Home Entertainment, Consumer Products and Gaming, and WBITVP Australia. WBITVP New Zealand will remain under WBITVP HQ in London within its current reporting structure and will not be part of Brooks’ expanded remit.
Separately, Justin Emmer, the current Chief Financial Officer for the Asia Pacific region, has decided to leave the company at the end of the year. “(Emmer) has been an excellent partner to me and the leadership team in managing our financial operations and supporting the region’s strategic objectives. I would like to thank Justin for his commitment and wish him every success in the future,” Gibbons said.
Nilesh Zaveri has been appointed SVP, CFO & COO, APAC and will join WBD on September 9. He will report to Trey Turner, CFO of International. In this dual role, Zaveri will lead the financial operations in APAC and support business operations and planning across the region, contribute to growth projects and drive operational excellence and efficiency.
Zaveri comes to WBD with over 20 years of pan-Asian leadership experience. Most recently, he was Managing Director of APAC operations at VICE Media Group, where he successfully built the regional business to grow revenue and audience. Previously, Nilesh held regional CFO roles at VICE, Discovery and Fox.
“With his strong global mindset and comprehensive understanding of industry dynamics and local markets, Zaveri will be an important partner for our APAC business as we look to continue expanding across the region,” said WBD.
