Pierre Branco, general manager for Warner Bros. Discovery in France, Benelux and Africa, is stepping down from his position, Variety has learned.
Branco took the job a year ago and was previously country manager for WarnerMedia in France, Benelux, Middle East and Africa and head of affiliates and ad sales for EMEA. A source close to the company said it was Branco’s decision to exit the banner. He’s the fourth high-ranking WBD executive to depart in recent months amid an internal shakeup, following EMEA boss Priya Dogra, Hannes Heyelmann, who headed Germany, and Robert Blair, the former boss international TV distribution.
“My 17 years at WBD have been ones of immense pride and satisfaction,” Branco said in a statement.” The executive said it gave him “the privilege of working on the best brands and content in the business, collaborating with incredible colleagues and partners across the globe and leading the most passionate and committed teams from Paris and London across very diverse markets.”
Branco went on to saying that “the business has evolved dramatically during this time.” “I have enjoyed taking advantage of the commercial and creative opportunities this has brought my way along the years, launching new pay tv channels like Toonami or Warner TV, creating a new service with the Warner Pass on Amazon’s Prime Video, releasing global hits like ‘Barbie’ or French phenomenon like “Simone” and building a strong slate of local theatrical movies and original series for streaming.”
“The time feels right now to move to a new chapter, and I am excited for the new challenges and fresh adventures ahead,” Branco continued.
The position will not be immediately replaced. The combined Discovery+ and HBO Max platform has been expected to launch in France at some point in 2024 but the exact timing of the launch has not been communicated. While Branco is leaving the company, the commissioning team for HBO Max in France is still in place and a few premium series have already been ordered, including “The Mythomaniac of the Bataclan,” a four-part series inspired by a true story.
More to come.