Warner Bros International TV Production launches new operation in Italy
International production and distribution business Warner Bros International Television Production (WBITVP) is opening a new production business in Italy, led by Stefano Torrisi.
Stefano Torrisi
Located in Milan, WBITVP Italy marks the 15th territory for WBITVP’s production activities, with the new office becoming the 22nd production company in total, joining WBITVP businesses across EMEA, Australia and New Zealand.
WBITVP Italy will be helmed by Torrisi as MD, an Italian native who will also maintain his current position as MD of WBITVP Spain.
Torrisi will report directly to WBITVP president Ronald Goes. Additional senior creative and production staff are currently being recruited, with announcements expected within the next months.
Torrisi has been MD of WBITVP Spain for the past year. He has a long history of holding senior TV production posts across Spain and Italy, including CEO of Europroduzione TV, chief commercial officer at Endemol Italy and exec VP of both Banijay Iberia and Banijay Italy.
The tenth season of the local version of First Dates (Primo Appuntamento) for Discovery Real Time, previously produced in Italy by Stand By Me, will be the new outfit’s first production.
Ronald Goes, WBITVP president, says: “Italy is a vibrant TV market and as several of our formats have already been successfully adapted there – with frequent recommissions – now feels like the right time to establish a WBITVP business on the ground and grow our presence in the territory.
“We are ambitious for this business and its contribution to our wider group, and I can think of no better executive than Stefano to lead the new team. His creative, production and commercial strengths, coupled with his experience of working at the highest levels in Italy, make him a real asset to the business.
“I’d also like to express my thanks and gratitude to Discovery for its trust in making First Dates our first commission and also to Stand By Me, which in recent years has acted as a wonderful guardian to this important WBITVP brand.”
