Thomas Gewecke was named President, Warner Bros. Digital Distribution in December 2007. In this position, Gewecke works to extend Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group’s digital strategy and reach across current and emerging platforms. Charged with global responsibility for the strategic growth initiatives around all of WBHEG’s assets, Gewecke guides development and execution of activities in the wireless, online, transactional video-on-demand/pay-per-view and electronic-sell-through sectors. He is also responsible for identifying strategic partnerships and next-generation distribution channels to open new revenue streams.
The Home Entertainment Group, of which WBDD is a part, brings together all of the Studio’s businesses involved in the delivery of home entertainment content to consumers, including home video, online, wireless and games, and is focused on protecting and maximizing the value of the Studio’s content, while fully harnessing the benefits of emerging technologies.
Gewecke joined WBDD from Sony BMG Music Entertainment, where as Executive Vice President, Global Digital Business, he was responsible for worldwide digital business development efforts and oversaw the creation of new digital ventures. In addition, Gewecke oversaw the company’s online advertising, digital long-form video and direct-to-consumer commerce businesses, and led its expansion into the U.S. off-deck mobile market.
Prior to Sony BMG, Gewecke was Senior Vice President of Business Development in the Digital Services Group for Sony Music Entertainment, Inc., where he founded and led its mobile business, building a dominant market position for the company, launching the industry’s first U.S. master ringtone offering in mid-2003, and becoming the only record label to create and operate a major U.S. on-deck direct-to-consumer mobile storefront. Gewecke also supervised Sony Music’s interest in certain digital media investments.
Gewecke also held the position of Publisher of the PC World Online Network at International Data Group. During his tenure with the company, he built IDG’s largest online publishing division and oversaw the launch of multiple Internet properties. He also played a major role in the development of IDG’s overall digital strategy.
Gewecke graduated from Harvard College in 1991 with a bachelor’s degree, magna cum laude, in social studies.