Warner Bros. International Television Distribution Establishes a New International Production Unit and Taps Ronald Goes to Serve as Executive Vice President and Head of International Television Production

Warner Bros. International Television Distribution (WBITD) has formed a new international production unit that plans to establish operating production companies in major territories around the world with the mandate to create locally produced versions of programs owned by the Studio and to develop original local programming on a market by market basis.

To oversee the activities of the newly formed group, the company has named Ronald Goes as Executive Vice President and Head of International Television Production, Warner Bros. International Television Distribution, it was announced today by Jeffrey R. Schlesinger, President, Warner Bros. International Television.

“After a long search for the right person, we are extremely excited to have Ronald join Warner Bros to lead us in this important undertaking. He brings a great depth of knowledge, experience and numerous personal relationships which should enable us to launch this business quickly and effectively,” said Schlesinger. “It is no secret that local programming is the most popular genre on television around the world. It is our ambition to become a leading producer of scripted and non-scripted programming locally, to complement the top-quality finished programming that we distribute internationally. Despite the current economic slowdown and the short-term challenges that it has created for independent production, we are committed to this business and plan to invest today for long-term rewards in the future. We think that the combination of the resources and creativity already existing at the Studio and the talent that we expect to attract to work with us internationally will enable us to build a significant production business in a number of countries, and add new complementary programming and formats to our catalogue for worldwide distribution.”

Relocating from his native country the Netherlands, Goes will be based in the UK for WBITD and will report to Schlesinger. In his new role, he will be responsible for conceptualizing, building and executing the international television production strategy for WBITD around the world, including:

* Setting up production companies in key territories by partnering with local producers, acquiring existing companies, or building new ones by hiring local talent and providing them with funding and resources

* Exploiting the Studio’s scripted and non-scripted intellectual properties through the development and production of local versions in individual territories

* Identifying and acquiring international formats for acquisition by WBITD to produce for the international marketplace and for Warner Bros. Television, Warner Horizon Television or Telepictures Productions to develop in the U.S.

* Developing and producing new programming in local markets based upon the needs and tastes of the local market by working with local talent

In order to execute this strategy, Goes will be hiring a team of experienced professionals in the UK, Burbank and selected international territories to execute both the business and creative aspects of the operation.

Goes comes to WBITD with more than 20 years of production, operational, financial and board membership experience at leading European media companies. Most recently, he was a member of the Supervisory Board of RTL Nederland B.V., after having been Chief Executive Officer of Talpa Media Holding N.V., the Dutch media holding company of executive John de Mol. At Talpa, Goes was responsible for all of the company’s media activities, including television, radio, digital and music, as well as new business development.

Prior to Talpa, Goes served four years as Chief Operating Officer and a member of the Executive Board of Directors of Endemol N.V. There, he was responsible for all worldwide operations, including operating companies as well as international licensing, consultancy, participation TV and advertising-funded programming.

Before Endemol, Goes was with SBS Broadcasting B.V. for five years as a member of the Executive Board of Directors/Business Management, with responsibility for finance, technical affairs, all staff departments and sports.

Goes was also CEO of RTL 4 Productions B.V., after having been the Financial Controller of RTL Nederland B.V. He began his professional career as an auditor at the international accounting firm then known as Coopers & Lybrand.

(Note: Goes will be based in WBITD’s UK offices. Clients may reach him at this number: +44 20 7984 5400).