NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–WarnerMedia announced today that Otter Media is being realigned under the WarnerMedia Entertainment group run by Bob Greenblatt, Chairman of WarnerMedia Entertainment and Direct-To-Consumer.
[the_ad id=”32940″]This will bring together the significant digital businesses of the company at a time when the organization’s new direct-to-consumer platform is being built with access to content from HBO, the WarnerMedia cable networks, Warner Bros., plus a robust slate of new original content.
Tony Goncalves, CEO of Otter Media, will now also lead the development of the new WarnerMedia direct-to-consumer service, along with Otter’s existing brands and services. He will report to Greenblatt. Andy Forssell, most recently COO of Otter Media and former CEO of Hulu, will move to the role of EVP and General Manager of the new streaming service reporting to Goncalves. Kevin Reilly, President, TBS/TNT/TruTV and Chief Content Officer of Direct-to-Consumer, will remain in that position reporting to Greenblatt. Brad Bentley, who was serving as the streaming service’s general manager, informed the company that he would be leaving.
“As we continue to build out our new streaming business and realign WarnerMedia functions, this step will facilitate further scale and focus in our efforts to offer customers an engaging and compelling product experience,” said John Stankey, CEO, WarnerMedia. “I’m confident that with Tony and Andy leading our product and operations, Kevin and HBO’s Casey Bloys guiding our content strategy, and with Bob at the helm, we have a formidable team creating a curated streaming service with a winning combination of content and features. I also want to thank Brad for his leadership in bringing the project to this point in record time.”
“The thriving Otter Media businesses are important to this company and I’m happy to welcome Tony and Andy to our direct-to-consumer team,” added Bob Greenblatt. “This group’s expertise will be invaluable to our new streaming service as we aim to bring content from the best storytellers in the world to an audience that expects the highest quality digital experience.”
Goncalves joined Otter Media, the leader in fan-centric, digital-first entertainment, as CEO last year. Through AT&T’s acquisition of DIRECTV, he served as CEO of Digital Brands and Head of Strategy and Business Development for AT&T where he helped the company navigate the rapid pace of change in a digital centric world.
Forssell currently serves as EVP and Chief Operating Officer of Otter Media, as well as President of Fullscreen. He joined Otter from Fullscreen where he served as COO for several years, overseeing the company’s day-to-day operations, as well as leading technology and product development. Forssell has served in a number of CEO, COO and general management roles, at companies like Hulu and ShowYou, helping to define and evolve the world of streaming video from its infancy.