Turner Broadcasting System EMEA is promoting Jaime Ondarza and Pierre Branco; while Domingo Corral is leaving the broadcaster.
TBS is reorganising and aligning its territories around new regional divisions, it was announced by Giorgio Stock, president of Turner Broadcasting System EMEA.
Southern Europe and Africa will be led by Jaime Ondarza, who is promoted to SVP, Southern Europe and Africa. In his new role, Jaime will lead all editorial and commercial operations for Turner in Italy, France, Iberia and Africa, reporting to Giorgio Stock. In his Iberia role, Jaime will take on the position previously held by Domingo Corral who after 15 years building the Spanish business at Turner will leave to pursue new opportunities.
Pierre Branco is promoted to VP, Southern Europe and Africa and general manager France and Portugal. Reporting to Jaime, Pierre will have direct responsibility for all French-speaking territories in the region, as well as Portugal, Angola and Mozambique.
Giorgio Stock, President of Turner EMEA said: “The new territory alignment around Southern Europe and Africa will allow us to leverage competencies and invest in products and services that will greatly benefit from joined up resources and planning. Through this alignment we expect continuity, improved efficiencies and a greater coherence in editorial and brand strategy allowing us to focus on super serving local audiences.
“Jaime Ondarza is the natural choice for this regional division, as he combines entrepreneurship and a deep understanding of our Channel business. These qualities will be instrumental in sustaining the leadership of our brands in this region and promoting new services and business models in a constantly changing environment. Pierre Branco’s promotion similarly reflects our desire to build on our strong talent in the region and push on aggressive development of our branded products and services across territories.
“We sincerely wish Domingo Corral the very best in his new endeavours. His legacy is one of the best and most talented teams in Europe and he leaves behind a great line-up of successful channels and brands including TNT, Boing, CNN and TCM in Spain and our recently launched local language Cartoon Network in Portugal.”
Domingo Corral said: “I am very grateful for the time I have had at Turner, and for the support I’ve always received from my team, many great colleagues and business partners. I am also pleased to see that Jaime Ondarza, one of the best leaders I have ever met, will take on the Spanish business. I have no doubt that under his leadership Turner will be in a very strong position to meet future challenges”.
Giovanni Parenti, Vice President and GM Italy will continue to report into Jaime.
Tal Hewitt, general manager Turkey, Middle East and Africa, will cooperate closely with Jaime and Pierre on the strategy for Africa, reporting into Jaime Ondarza. She will continue reporting into Rani Raad, in her role as General Manager Turner Middle East and Turkey.
UK and Ireland, which previously fell under Jaime’s responsibility, will now fold into a new Northern Europe division which will also comprise Nordics and Baltics. New leadership will soon be announced. In the interim Anthony Lukom, VP and general manager UK and Bo Ostergaard, VP and general manager Nordics will report into Giorgio Stock.
The German speaking countries, Benelux, Central Eastern Europe and Russia will continue to be led by SVP Hannes Heyelmann, reporting into Giorgio Stock.
