Two New Appointments for WarnerMedia Kids EMEA

WarnerMedia has made two new appointments to the newly formed leadership team for its kids’ business in EMEA.

Lars Wagner has been named head of kids’ channels for CEE, effective July 1. Wagner will be responsible for curating and managing the WarnerMedia Kids platforms in the CEE region, including VOD services, linear channels, YouTube, websites and social media.

Wagner will lead the local programming, presentation, marketing, PR and digital teams. Previously, he served as chief marketing officer at Playmobil and worked most recently at Schleich, developing its content strategies. Prior to this, Wagner launched and managed several other premium entertainment brands at Disney, ViacomCBS and Discovery.

With immediate effect, Monika Oomen becomes head of brand, communications and franchise management for Kids EMEA. Oomen is responsible for developing and implementing brand and communication strategy across the region for the company’s kids and family brands Cartoon Network, Boomerang, Cartoonito and Boing, including its franchises and services across linear and digital platforms. Prior to joining WarnerMedia, Oomen served in a number of senior positions at Disney, most recently as executive director of marketing strategy for the EMEA region.

Both report to Vanessa Brookman, head of kids EMEA.

Brookman said: “Monika and Lars bring a wealth of expertise in the kids and family entertainment field and have demonstrated excellence when it comes to innovation, leadership and digital proficiency. They have outstanding track records in building strong and profitable brands, services, and products. We have very big ambitions for our kids and family business both when it comes to our highly successful existing portfolio and the exciting development of the HBO Max Kids and Family offering, and I’m convinced that Monika and Lars will help us excel in achieving our goals.”

Oomen said: “I’m thrilled to be joining a company with brands so immensely loved by kids and families across the globe. In particular, I am delighted to be involved in how we can harmonize the delivery of high-quality kids and family content with relevant, global subjects such as climate change with initiatives like Climate Champions. With an incredibly strong content pipeline ahead and the recently re-branded Hanna-Barbera Studios Europe, I can’t think of a more inspiring place to work. I’m looking forward to building on the strong legacy and quality of content and creating destinations embracing the future of kids’ entertainment.”

Wagner said: “WarnerMedia has an admirable dedication to the best quality content for children and their families and a very talented team that I can’t wait to join. To me, the mission of inclusion that the WarnerMedia kids brands are championing is an exciting and important one. I am very much looking forward to contributing to the continued success in building a modern kids and family business across the CEE region.”