WarnerMedia veteran Knobloch departs

Iris Knobloch, the long-serving president of WarnerMedia in France, Benelux, Germany, Austria and Switzerland, is leaving the company after 25 years.

Iris Knobloch

In her most recent role, Knobloch was responsible for WarnerMedia’s strategy and for optimising all commercial and group marketing activities across the region. Her remit included theatrical distribution, local theatrical productions, content licensing, home entertainment and consumer products, as well as ad sales and affiliate distribution for WarnerMedia channels.

Knobloch was formerly president of Warner Bros Entertainment France & Benelux, a role she held from 2006.

Prior to this, Knobloch served as senior VP of Time Warner, in which position she was in charge of international relations and strategic policy for Europe. Having originally joined the company in 1996, she also previously held several senior positions in Warner Bros offices in LA, London and Paris.

WarnerMedia said Knobloch was departing to pursue a new opportunity elsewhere.

“Iris is one of the most respected international executives in the industry,” said Gerhard Zeiler, president of WarnerMedia International. “We are incredibly grateful to Iris for her many contributions to WarnerMedia and her exceptional leadership over 25 years. She has been an integral part of WarnerMedia and Warner Bros, driving growth and innovation and building the company’s presence across multiple markets to a position of strength.

“She leaves behind a driven and accomplished team who will no doubt continue her legacy. I personally would like to thank Iris for her friendship and partnership. I respect her decision that now is the time for her to take on new challenges and, together with all our colleagues across the company, wish her the very best.”

Knobloch added: “The company has given me the opportunity for an amazing career spanning strategic roles in various countries and continents and accompanying significant technological transformations, from DVD to digital downloads to streaming, while also allowing me to contribute to important creative successes like the multiple-Oscar-winning movie The Artist, so the decision to leave has not been easy.

“I feel incredibly lucky to have been surrounded by colleagues who share my passion for our industry and our audiences, and I am immensely proud of the business we have built together. I am so grateful to my team and my colleagues at WarnerMedia and wish them all the best for the future.”

Knobloch will continue to fulfil her responsibilities during a transition period.