Sam Register Adds Cartoon Network Studios to Remit

WarnerMedia veteran Sam Register, who currently serves as the president of Warner Bros. Animation, has expanded his remit to also serve as president of Cartoon Network Studios.

In this new role, Register will lead both animation studios as unique and separate entities, but united by a commitment to creative excellence, new voices and a culture of inclusion and collaboration. Rob Sorcher, who previously served as head of Cartoon Network Studios, will segue into an overall production deal with Warner Bros. Television Group, where he’ll create both animated and live-action properties.

Register will report to Tom Ascheim, president of Warner Bros. Global Kids, Young Adults and Classics (GKYAC).

Amy Friedman will assume Sorcher’s programming responsibilities for Cartoon Network. Friedman has joined GKYAC as a senior advisor providing creative, strategic and inclusive programming guidance for the Cartoon Network brand. She reports to Ascheim.

Ed Adams, executive VP and general manager of Warner Bros. Animation, will now have an expanded role to serve both studios alongside Register, to whom he will continue to report.

“The legacy of each of these great studios is long, with remarkable contributions to the culture and the world of animation,” said Ascheim. “Each embodies vibrant, distinct cultures and missions, and I believe this realignment will enable them to continue to innovate and thrive for new generations of artists and fans. There is no one better to usher in this exciting new period in these studios’ history than Sam. We owe Rob a huge debt of gratitude for building the Cartoon Network brand to what it is today, creating a long list of imagination-capturing hit shows. He’s one of the most talented executives in our industry, someone who has changed the content game many times over, and I can’t wait to see what he comes up with next for us.”

“By aligning two of the industry’s most powerful animation studios, we will unleash incredible opportunities for artists to flourish and an unprecedented amount of animation for fans to devour,” said Register. “Together we have a shared opportunity to create a new culture of collaboration—one built on both the historic importance of Warner Bros. Animation and the commitment to new original voices that is the trademark of Cartoon Network Studios.”

“I am honored to have played my part in producing the artistry, innovation and heart of Cartoon Network Studios, bringing joy to generations of young people around this world,” said Sorcher. “I would like to thank Warner Bros. Television Group for embracing my wide-ranging interests, and I’m energized by the potential of this next chapter!”