Zeiler to Join Turner Broadcasting System International

ATLANTA: Turner Broadcasting System (TBS) has hired Gerhard Zeiler to lead its international division, following his departure from RTL Group. 

Zeiler, currently the president and CEO of RTL Group, announced yesterday he is leaving the company as of April. Now, it is known that he will be moving to Turner Broadcasting System International in the role of president. He will take on executive oversight for all entertainment and kids’ networks and media services offered by Turner outside the U.S. His responsibilities also include the distribution and commercial operations of CNN’s international services; all of Turner Broadcasting’s international joint ventures; and all licensing and merchandising activity. Zeiler will report directly to Phil Kent, the chairman and CEO of Turner Broadcasting System, and will lead a team of 3,800 execs across Europe, the Asia Pacific and Latin America.

“We are delighted that Gerhard is joining us and look forward to the leadership, perspective and wealth of international television experience he will bring to one of the most successful and most strategically important areas of our company,” said Kent. “His programming success; entrepreneurial experience within a big company; ability to run multiple lines of business; deep understanding of the digital landscape and opportunity; relationships across the media landscape; and passion for the television business combine in a great international partner for me, an exciting leader for the division and a strong addition to our executive committee and the company overall. We all look forward to working with him to extend our core brands, target and develop new markets and build scale around the world.”

“As a longtime observer of Turner’s networks, I am keenly aware of their strength with consumers and the company’s profile in the international business community,” commented Zeiler. “This move is an opportunity to help grow some of the most valuable media brands in the world and develop new businesses alongside people I admire, like Phil and colleagues across Time Warner I have known and worked with over the years. This is an exciting time for our industry and for Turner Broadcasting, and I believe in our ability to lead and succeed.”