HBO Max appoints director general in Turkey ahead of 2022 expansion

WarnerMedia-owned streamer HBO Max has appointed Baris Zavaroglu as its director general in Turkey ahead of its launch in the country later this year.

Baris Zavaroglu

Zavaroglu will be responsible for leading the direct-to-consumer business in Turkey in the newly created role, overseeing the launch and growth of HBO Max in the country aligned with the streamer’s wider strategy in EMEA.

He reports to Christina Sulebakk, general manager of HBO Max EMEA, and starts with immediate effect.

Having launched in the US in May 2020, HBO Max is now live in 46 territories in the Americas and Europe. This year it will roll out in a further 21 European territories, including Turkey.

It features content from WarnerMedia brands such as HBO, Warner Bros, DC, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim and Turner Classic Movies.

Zavaroglu joins from Turkcell’s OTT and pay TV business TV+, where he was general manager. Prior to this, he was chief marketing officer for Fox Turkey and previously worked for Disney in a senior management role for Eastern Europe and the MENA region.

Sulebakk said: “Baris joins us at an important time as we prepare to launch and grow in a strategically important market. His expertise and leadership will prove invaluable as we look to establish and build rapidly in the country as part of our phased roll-out in Europe.”