Turner’s Gerhard Zeiler Bullish on International Content Creation

Investing in local content in Asia is a key pillar of Turner International’s growth plans for the region, Gerhard Zeiler, the company’s president, said at APOS today.

Under Ricky Ow, Turner AsiaPac’s president, the company has expanded beyond kids and news into general entertainment with WarnerTV and Oh!K. “So we have three pillars now,” Zeiler said. “The most exciting opportunity is going more and more into local content. One day we will have a full Cartoon Network Studios here in the region.” Local entertainment content is also a priority following the company’s success with Korean programming on Oh!K.

Zeiler noted that owning or controlling content is more and more important today. “It’s all about windowing. You have to decide, with your partners, how the consumers get access.”

The Turner International chief went on to say that he is “passionate” about channel brands. “Single brands will be important in the future, but they have to be relevant. It’s must-have or no-have.”