Corporate
May 10, 2007
Twenty Four–Year Company Veteran Willi Geike Promoted To President And Managing Director, Warner Bros. Entertainment Germany And Austria
(May 10, 2007 - Burbank, CA & Hamburg) — Twenty four-year company veteran Willi Geike has been promoted to President and Managing Director, Warner Bros. Entertainment Germany and Austria, it was announced today by Barry Meyer, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer; Alan Horn, President & Chief Operating Officer; and Richard Fox, Executive Vice President, International, Warner Bros.
In his new position, Geike’s responsibilities will be expanded to include general oversight of all of Warner Bros.’ businesses in Germany and Austria, including theatrical and home video production, marketing and distribution (both Studio and local-language films), television distribution, consumer products, online and emerging distribution technologies, with in-country divisional management now jointly reporting to him and divisional presidents or designates. He will also work closely with in-territory regional and local management teams to achieve company-specific and enterprise-wide business objectives. Geike’s overall reporting is through Fox to Meyer and Horn; he will also report to divisional presidents regarding their specific businesses. He will continue to be based in Hamburg, Germany.
“Over the last few years, we’ve been implementing the country manager structure in key territories around the world and when we looked at Germany, Willi, who has been our de facto country manager for sometime now, was the only executive we considered,” said Meyer. “In his two decades with the company, he has developed incredible knowledge and expertise in the German and Austrian film and home video markets and is a major part of our company’s in-territory success in those businesses. We’re looking forward to him bringing his experience and acumen to all of our operations in Germany and Austria.”
“Willi’s reputation and relationships in the German and Austrian film and video arenas are unmatched,” said Horn. “He’s an incredible executive with a great balance of business and creative instincts and talents. This new post will more broadly utilize his abilities and help us better coordinate and maximize all of our in-territory business initiatives in Germany and Austria.”
“I’ve had the pleasure of working closely with Willi for many years,” said Fox. “He has helped Warner Bros. become an important part of the local film production scene in Germany where, because of his efforts, we’re now a respected and sought-after partner. I’m confident our German and Austrian businesses will thrive and grow under Willi’s leadership.”
Before this promotion, Geike had served as Senior Vice President & Managing Director for Warner Bros. Pictures Germany and Warner Home Video, Germany & Austria. In June 2001, he orchestrated a deal between Warner Bros. Pictures Germany and one of Germany`s film industry leaders X-Filme calling for a long-term, multi-faceted production and distribution agreement.
Geike has been with Warner Bros. Entertainment in various capacities for 24 years in a variety of posts, including Senior Vice President and Managing Director, Germany and Austria for Warner Bros. Pictures, and Managing Director, Marketing Director and Marketing Manager for various Warner Bros. home video and theatrical distribution operations in Germany.
Prior to his association with Warner Bros., Geike held marketing positions at United Artists and UIP Germany.
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