Leadership Changes at Warner Bros.

NEW YORK/BURBANK: Barry Meyer has extended his contract to serve as chairman and CEO of Warner Bros. through 2013, while Alan Horn, is exiting his post, which will be filled by a new Office of the President consisting of Jeff Robinov, Bruce Rosenblum and Kevin Tsujihara.

Horn is stepping down as president and COO in six months time and is entering a consultancy agreement with the studio until the end of 2013. The new Office of the President, effective April 1, will be made up of Robinov, the president of Warner Bros. Pictures Group; Rosenblum, the president of Warner Bros. Television Group; and Tsujihara, the president of Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group. Each executive will retain his current responsibilities while becoming more engaged in the operations of the overall company.

“After a great deal of thought and many discussions with Barry and Alan, we decided that this phased plan was in the best interest of Warner Bros. and its businesses,” said Jeff Bewkes, chairman and CEO of Time Warner. “Barry and Alan have overseen the most successful years in the company’s history, and I am very pleased that they are remaining to guide this transition and to ensure as little disruption to our operations as possible.”

Bewkes continued, “The formation of the Office of the President acknowledges the many contributions Jeff, Bruce and Kevin have made and the leadership they continue to show not only in their businesses but in our industry as well. Their vision will take Warner Bros. into the future, and we are very confident in their abilities to chart its strategic direction and define new areas of growth for the company.”

Meyer commented: “Stability and consistency are the hallmarks of Warner Bros., and this plan underscores our commitment to an orderly succession and to promoting from within. I have been enormously fortunate to have a partner in Alan Horn, whose integrity and talent are unrivaled, and with whom I have worked side by side for the past 12 years. I am very glad that we will continue to work together and that his consultancy is linked to my future plans at the company.”