Polly Cochrane Steps Down at Warner Bros. Discovery

Polly Cochrane, executive VP and country manager of the U.K. and Ireland for Warner Bros. Discovery, is stepping down from her role after 13 years with WarnerMedia.

Cochrane originally joined WarnerMedia in 2009 as senior VP of group marketing, a role in which she created the company’s first integrated marketing function. In 2014, she took on responsibility for the global development and management of the Wizarding World franchise.

In 2020, Cochrane became country manager for the U.K. and Ireland and led the development and execution of WarnerMedia’s commercial and marketing activities across the region. She is now leaving the company to pursue a portfolio career, which will include coaching and mentoring leaders and emerging talent.

Priya Dogra, president and managing of director of Warner Bros. Discovery EMEA (ex. Poland), will announce her new management team soon, but in the interim, Cochrane remains in her role until the announcement is made and will stay on for the transition period.

“Polly is a gifted executive whose impact on our business has been nothing short of extraordinary,” said Dogra. “Her vision for creating an integrated marketing function across numerous lines of business, as well as developing and maintaining sustainable brands and franchises, has been replicated across the company’s global operations. Polly is known for her leadership and presence and has been a staunch advocate for her teams. The company has benefited immensely from her skills, dedication and passion, which have helped bring countless films and television programs to U.K. audiences for over a decade. I am very sad to see her leave, but I have no doubt of her continued contribution and influence on the U.K. media sector, including through her focus on coaching leaders of the future.”

Cochrane said, “Leading the U.K. and Ireland team at WarnerMedia has been the great privilege of my career, particularly during the last two challenging years. This is a hard company to leave for many reasons but first and foremost because of the people with whom I’ve been lucky enough to work. My aim has always been to create environments where individuals and teams feel supported, motivated and inspired to do outstanding work that makes them proud. I believe the output over the last 13 years speaks for itself. At this time of great change for the company, it feels like the right time to also make a big change for myself. I am immensely excited to embark on this next chapter as a mentor and coach, in addition to carrying out non-executive roles, to develop others and achieve positive lasting change.”