Long-serving country manager Barbara Salabè exits WarnerMedia

Barbara Salabè, WarnerMedia’s president and country manager for Italy, Spain and Portugal, is set to leave the company after over a decade, to be replaced by Thomas J Ciampa.

Barbara Salabè

Veteran exec Salabè was responsible for the development and execution of WarnerMedia’s commercial and group marketing activities across Italy, Spain and Portugal, with a remit covering theatrical distribution, local theatrical productions, content licensing, home entertainment and consumer products, ad sales and affiliate distribution for the WarnerMedia channels.

Salabè will leave at the end of the month. It is not yet clear what her next move will be.

Before joining WarnerMedia, Salabè was managing director of musical production company Stage Entertainment, where she oversaw the creation of its business in Italy. She is also the former senior VP and MD of Turner Broadcasting System Italia, where she led the creation of Cartoon Network, Boomerang and CNN Italia in Italy, and also worked at Rizzoli Video, Telecom Italia and the Kirch Group.

Thomas J Ciampa

Priya Dogra, president of WarnerMedia EMEA and Asia (excluding China) announced this morning that Ciampa will take on the country role in Italy, Spain and Portugal.

In his new role, Ciampa will report to Dogra and will take on responsibility for the development and execution of WarnerMedia’s strategy in the territories.

His remit includes theatrical distribution, local theatrical productions, content licensing, home entertainment, consumer products, as well as ad sales and affiliate distribution for the WarnerMedia channels and streaming services. Ciampa will continue to manage distribution of Sony Pictures’ movies in Italy. He will work closely with WarnerMedia Studios & Networks in Burbank as well as with HBO Max.

Ciampa has worked for WarnerMedia in a variety of senior management roles, most recently as senior VP of theatrical distrobutor, Italy, Spain and Portugal and Italian local productions. Ciampa first joined Warner Bros in 2002 as Sales Manager, having started his career at Warner Village UK.

WarnerMedia has also announced the leadership team for Italy, Spain and Portugal, reporting to Ciampa.

Carlos Prada is promoted to VP of theatrical distribution in Italy and Spain, adding to his current remit overseeing theatrical distribution in Spain. Andrea Vidoni continues in his current role as VP of group marking for Italy and Spain.

Angel Yllera continues in his current role as VP of TV licensing, affiliate sales and digital distribution, for Italy, Spain and Portugal. Fabrizio Ioli continues in his current role as senior VP of retail and consumer producers for Italy and Spain.

Andy Conklin continues in his current role as senior VP of strategy and business in Italy, Spain and Portugal. Pablo Nogueroles continues in his current role as senior VP of local productiuons in Spain. Marco Berardi continues in his current role as VP of ad sales and joint ventures in Italy and Spain.

“Barbara is an exceptional business leader whose vision has shaped and grown our businesses in Italy, Spain and Portugal. Those who know her know her immense drive and talent for building strong teams,” said Priya Dogra, president of WarnerMedia EMEA and Asia (excluding China), in a statement.

“She leaves a business and a management team well positioned for the future. Barbara has been an integral member of my management team, a terrific partner and an extraordinary contributor to WarnerMedia. I am sad to see her leave the company but together with all my colleagues across the company, I wish her the very best for her next chapter.”

Salabè added: “It has been a fantastic run. I feel incredibly grateful to Warner Bros and WarnerMedia for allowing me, during these 10 exceptional years, to build teams and businesses, to innovate and to take risks.

“It’s been a privilege to be immersed in brilliant brands, in cinematographic masterpieces and surrounded by talented and superb human beings. My biggest thank-you goes to every single member of my team – success is made by people and I am immensely proud of what we have built together.”