WarnerMedia promotes Cochrane to lead UK and Ireland, with Warner Bros. veteran Berger to depart

Left-right: Josh Berger, Polly Cochrane

WarnerMedia has announced the promotion of Polly Cochrane to the role of country manager for the UK and Ireland.

This is the first major exec announcement made by Priya Dogra, who was announced as head of WarnerMedia EMEA & Asia (excl. China) in July.

Cochrane meanwhile has been with WarnerMedia for 11 years, most recently as EVP and group marketing director of Warner Bros. UK and Ireland, and chief marketing officer of the Harry Potter franchise. She was also previously the director of marketing at Channel 4, where she oversaw the launches of More4, Film4 free to air, Channel 4+1 and 4oD, and was head of advertising and promotions for the launch of Channel 5.

In this new role, Cochrane is responsible for the development and execution of WarnerMedia’s strategy in the UK and Ireland and will coordinate and optimise all commercial and group marketing activities in the region. This includes theatrical distribution, content licensing, home entertainment, consumer products, as well as ad sales and affiliate distribution for the WarnerMedia channels.

Priya Dogra said: “I’m delighted to welcome Polly to my leadership team. Polly brings a strong and inclusive leadership style, combined with a proven innovative approach to driving our beloved brands and franchises. As she takes on this broader set of responsibilities, our business will benefit from her wealth of experience in the UK media sector. I’m looking forward to tapping into the fresh thinking she will bring to the table.”

This is the latest appointment for Warner since the August announcement of a major reshuffle around HBO Max. That reshuffle brought the international operations of Warner Bros., HBO and Turner under one leadership for the first time under Gerhard Zeiler.

The announcement also follows the news that 30-year veteran Josh Berger will step down in December. Berger, the president and managing director, Warner Bros. UK, Ireland and Spain, and president of Harry Potter global franchise development. He will remain as an advisor to the senior management until the middle of 2021 for the Harry Potter franchise through to the culmination of production of the next Fantastic Beasts film.

It is expected that Berger will say in the industry as a producer, and that he will also pursue other entrepreneurial opportunities.