Turner Broadcasting Bolsters African Team

LONDON: Turner Broadcasting has named Pierre Branco as VP for Southern Europe and Africa and general manager for France, Portugal and Africa, in addition to a promotion within its distribution and business development unit.

Branco adds Africa to his previous general manager responsibilities for France and Portugal. He will be responsible for editorial and commercial operations for all Turner Entertainment brands in Africa (in addition to France and Portugal) and the distribution of CNN International. He will report directly to Jaime Ondarza, the senior VP for Southern Europe and Africa.

Reporting to Branco will be Guillaume Coffin, who has been promoted to head of distribution and business development for France and Africa. In his new role, Coffin will add Africa to his previous remit for France and French-speaking territories. 

Ondarza said: “I'm very pleased that Pierre accepted this new role. He has done an amazing job in France and, more recently, Portugal, delivering great editorial and financial results for Turner in these territories. It will be a privilege for me to work with him on Africa. We trust that, under his leadership, the team will achieve the ambitious goals we have for this important market, creating long term value for our brands and channels in the region and developing opportunities for strong and solid business growth.”

Branco said: "Guillaume Coffin is a key element of Turner’s commercial success in EMEA with an extensive track record in deal-making with linear and non-linear platforms. He will now bring his strategic and commercial skills to grow Turner’s presence in Africa and expand our portfolio of brands and services in the continent."