Warner Home Video Announces News Expanded Roles for Key Executives

Mark Horak, President of Warner Home Video North America today announced a series of executive promotions, reflective of the company’s commitment to build and maintain a strong and dynamic management team across its unique portfolio of businesses. The three executives promoted to executive vice president and general manager are Jeffrey Baker, Jeff Brown and Mike Saksa – the heads of Warner Home Video’s three main business units – Theatrical Catalog, Non-Theatrical Franchise and New Release.

“It is my pleasure to recognize and promote these three key executives who have contributed so much to our growth and success,” said Horak. "These promotions reflect the outstanding achievements of these talented individuals in their respective areas and their efforts to develop and deliver successful strategies instrumental to our growth. I have worked with Jeff, Jeff and Mike for many years and look forward to continuing our partnership to build on the success and momentum of our Company.”

In their new roles, Baker, Brown and Saksa will continue to have primary P&L responsibility for their respective business units in the U.S. market. In addition, they will leverage their knowledge and expertise to optimize Warner Home Video (WHV) performance across North America.

Jeffrey Baker, who has been promoted to Executive Vice President & General Manager, Theatrical Catalog, has overseen Warner Home Video’s Theatrical Catalog business unit since 2005. Led by Baker’s team, Warner has been a pioneer in developing high end ultimate collector’s editions including Harry Potter, Blade Runner and Dirty Harry. Additionally, the Theatrical Catalog group manages the entire New Line library. Previously, Baker served as Senior Vice President, U.S. Sales for Warner Home Video. Prior to joining WHV, he was Senior Vice President of home video for Warner Strategic Marketing where he oversaw acquisitions, co-productions and DVD sales and marketing for the division’s Rhino Home Video group (part of the Warner Music Group). Baker attended the University of New Hampshire.

Jeff Brown, who has been promoted to Executive Vice President & General Manager, Non-Theatrical Franchise, has served as head of Warner Home Video’s Non-Theatrical Franchise business unit since 2005. Brown has led Warner Home Video to a number one share in non-theatrical video segment which includes Warner Bros Television, Warner Bros. Animation, DC Comics, HBO and Turner/Cartoon Network produced properties. His team has added to the WHV portfolio with numerous home video distribution deals including BBC, National Geographic, NFL, NBA, Dr. Seuss Enterprises, and most recently the "Peanuts” library and original made-for-videos based on the work of Charles M. Schulz. Brown joined WHV in 1996 as Director of Marketing – U.S. Rental and was promoted to Vice President, International Marketing in 1999 where he was responsible for coordinating marketing and promotional strategies for DVD market expansion. In 2004, Brown relocated to the U.S. from Europe to become Senior Vice President, Worldwide Marketing from his role as Senior Vice President and Co-Managing Director for Europe, Middle East and Africa. Previously, he held positions with Nestle Food Group, General Mills and The Gap Stores. Brown graduated from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania with Bachelor of Economics and received an MBA from Stanford Business School.

Mike Saksa has been promoted to the position of Executive Vice President & General Manager, New Release, with the added oversight of New Line and Warner Premiere direct-to-video product. Previously, he served as Vice President of U.S. Marketing, overseeing all creative services and consumer promotions, as well as all product lines. Saksa joined Warner Home Video in 1995 as Marketing Manager and was promoted to Vice President, Marketing in 1998. Previously he held positions at Rastar Productions, Nabisco, Pillsbury and Johnson & Johnson. Saksa received a Bachelor’s in Financial Management from University of Delaware, an Executive MBA in Marketing from Drexel University and an MFA from the USC Cinema TV program.