WarnerMedia EMEA Unveils UK & Ireland Leadership Team

WarnerMedia UK & Ireland, which recently named Polly Cochrane as country manager, has added a number of seasoned executives to its leadership team.

Alison Morris, who currently oversees the distribution of Warner Bros., Turner, HBO and HBO Max content, will now lead a newly formed TV and digital distribution group that also includes home video digital distribution. She will also integrate Turner affiliate and ad sales into this combined team. Neil Marshall will continue to lead theatrical film distribution and will add local film production to his remit and assume oversight for all operations in Ireland. Rachel Wakley, who currently oversees consumer products and experiences, will now also take on physical video and physical and digital games sales.

Alex Lewis will continue to lead film and games marketing. She recently added digital and data strategy and media and brand partnerships as well as games to her remit, and will now oversee the marketing of film catalog in addition to her existing responsibilities for new release film. Allan Stenhouse will continue to lead TV marketing, having recently taken on Turner and HBO home video marketing and TV distribution support in addition to the Warner Bros. content he continues to manage. Lewis and Stenhouse will continue to jointly oversee creative services and franchise management for the U.K. and Ireland.

Charlie Cubbon will lead commercial development for the U.K. and Ireland region and will also oversee a newly formed central commercial planning team as well as the long-term strategy on games. He will continue to oversee supply chain.

The appointments follow John Stanley’s decision to leave the company next year after 14 years at the helm of Warner Bros.’ home entertainment operation in U.K., Ireland, Spain and the Nordics. He will step down from his day-to-day management responsibilities at the end of this month and will stay on until the end of June 2021 on a series of transition projects.

Cochrane said: “I am excited to bring together such an outstanding group of executives, each of whom is testament to the great talent we have within the company. As we integrate the commercial and group marketing activities of our Warner Bros. businesses and our entertainment networks, we will benefit from their passion for our product, astute thinking and proven desire to push new boundaries.”

Cochrane added: “We are sad to see John leave WarnerMedia after so many years of exceptional service but are pleased and grateful he has agreed to stay on until the end of June next year to help us transition our home video integration efforts.”