Warner Bros ups WBITVD distribution chief

Warner Bros has promoted executive VP Robert Blair to president of Warner Bros International Television Distribution (WBITVD).

Robert Blair

Blair, who has worked at the company for 21 years, will continue to be based in London where he will now be responsible for the licensing of all programming from Warner Bros, HBO and Turner.

WBITVD’s parent WarnerMedia, created in the wake of AT&T’s US$85bn acquisition of Time Warner, earlier this year merged the international distribution divisions of HBO and Turner with its own, with Warner Bros Worldwide Television Distribution president Jeffrey Schlesinger overseeing all three.

Two years ago Blair become exec VP of international television distribution, responsible for all international TV sales.

He joined WBITVD in 1998 and has also held roles including VP and general manager of Canadian operations, senior VP for Northern Europe, the Middle East and Africa and later executive VP for EMEA.

“Robert’s smart, strategic and keen business acumen has contributed to make him an invaluable member of our international television business,” said Schlesinger.

“He has played a vital role during a time of great disruption and evolution for our industry and will continue to play an even more vital role as we integrate HBO and Turner product into our distribution activities.”