WarnerMedia Promotes for Kids & Family, Adult Swim Role

WarnerMedia has elevated Brian Robillard to assistant general manager and VP of business operations for its Kids & Family and Adult Swim properties.

In his expanded position, Robillard will oversee business management and the business operations of Cartoon Network and Adult Swim content activity. He will also lead a newly created music strategy arm for the Kids, Young Adults and Classics group.

Robillard will continue to oversee the operational integration across all content distribution globally, build and optimize content strategy and budget across the various Cartoon Network and Adult Swim platforms; and maintain the rights and deal terms for both groups’ library and portfolio.

He joined Cartoon Network in 2014, helping to drive the network’s portfolio strategy and business operations for Cartoon Network Studios. In 2020, he added Warner Bros. Animation to his remit. Robillard reports to Amy Friedman, head of kids’ and family programming at Warner Bros., and Michael Ouweleen, Adult Swim’s president.

Michael “Kiko” Akiko has joined as executive director of music for Kids, Young Adults and Classics, reporting to Robillard. Together, Robillard and Akiko will collaborate with WaterTower Music, third-party labels and publishing groups to identify and curate music strategies and opportunities for Cartoon Network and Adult Swim. Both will be based out of Burbank, California.

Friedman said: “In a dynamic and complex media landscape where audiences are consuming content in novel ways, Brian has hit the ground running to integrate our business operations across regions, brands and multiple platforms.

Ouweleen said: “We’re lucky to have someone with Brian’s drive and knowledge during continuous growth and development within the company. Together with Kiko’s innovative music and creative acuity, they will be unstoppable in turning ideas into reality.”

Robillard said: “Kiko will ensure that our brands and content work together seamlessly and strategically to take our musical footprint and businesses to the next level. Continuing to develop the next generation of performers, composers and songwriters in our ecosystem is a top priority for this team.”

Akiko said: “My passion is uniting and touching people through music. This new role sits on a treasure trove of franchises and IP I cannot wait to build out new music ventures for.”