Michael Brooks Gets Expanded Role at Warner Bros. Discovery

Michael Brooks has been appointed GM for Australia and New Zealand at Warner Bros. Discovery.

In addition to his existing role as MD, Warner Bros. International Television Production Australia, Brooks will assume the expanded role immediately, reporting to James Gibbons and Ronald Goes, president, WBITVP.

Brooks has been with the company since 2016, and prior to this, spent more than 10 years in the U.S., including leadership positions at BBC Studios and Endemol Shine North America.

In the newly expanded position, Brooks will oversee all non-theatrical businesses locally, comprising networks and streaming, content licensing and home entertainment, consumer products and games, as well as WBITVP Australia. WBITVP New Zealand remains within its current reporting structure into WBITVP HQ in London and is not part of Brooks’ extended remit. 

Separately, current APAC chief financial officer Justin Emmer has decided to depart the company, leaving at the end of this year. “[Emmer] has been an excellent partner to me and the leadership team in driving our financial operations and supporting the region’s strategic goals. I’d like to thank Justin for his dedication and wish him every success for the future,” said Gibbons.

Nilesh Zaveri has been appointed as SVP, CFO & COO, APAC, and will join WBD on Sept. 9, reporting to Trey Turner, CFO of international. In this dual role, Zaveri will lead APAC financial operations and support business operations and planning across the region, contributing to growth projects and driving operational excellence and efficiency.

Zaveri joins WBD with more than 20 years of pan-Asian leadership experience. Most recently, he was MD of VICE Media Group’s APAC operations, where he successfully launched the regional business to deliver revenue and audience growth. Prior to that, Nilesh held regional CFO roles at VICE, Discovery and Fox.

“Combining a strong global mindset with a deep understanding of industry dynamics and local markets, Zaveri, will be a key partner to our APAC business as we look to scale further across the region,” said WBD.