Warner Bros Discovery has hired an original productions chief for Max in Italy and Iberia, an intriguing move that completes the local content team ahead of the streaming service’s launch in Europe next year.Alberto Carullo has been named Vice President Max Local Original Production Italy & Iberia, reporting directly to Laura Carafoli, SVP, Content Networks & Streaming Local Productions, Italy & Iberia.Max is due to launch in 22 European countries in 2024. Those such as Iberia that already offer HBO Max will be the first tranche of countries to get the platform.No date has been given for a launch in Italy, where Warner Bros Discovery has an output deal with Sky Italia for HBO content. This is due to end in 2025, and a Warner Bros Discovery spokesman confirmed Max cannot launch in the country while the current agreement is in place. Similar situations are facing Max in the UK and Germany.Carullo, whose main base will be in Madrid, begins his new role on January 1. He’ll will be responsible for the development and execution of local productions, both scripted and unscripted, for streaming in Spain and at the same time start working on development projects for Italy.The Italian-born exec has worked in both countries for more than 30 years, in role such as Head of Marketing and On Air at Mediaset and Director of Telecinco in Spain.He’s also held senior roles at Big Bang Media and Boca Boca and was most recently Head of Warner Bros International Television Production in Spain and Portugal. Earlier today, Warner Bros Discovery announced Stefano Torrisi would step in that role.His hire completes Carafoli’s Southern Europe hub team, which also comprises Aldo Romersa, VP, Programming for general entertainment network Nove and men’s channels in the Italian portfolio; Gesualdo Vercio, VP, Programming in charge of lifestyle net Real Time and the women’s and kids’ channels in the Italian portfolio; Bibiana Gonzalez, Programming Director for Iberia and head of programming and production for Warner Bros Discovery’s TV channels in Spain and Portugal; and Cecilia Penati, Content Development and Production Director, who oversees Italian productions.“Alberto Carullo’s profile, experience and knowledge of the sector both in Iberia and Italy, represent an important added value for the growth and development of the streaming business in our region,” said Carafoli. “His arrival is certainly strategic in view of Max’s debut in Iberia next spring, both to lay the foundations to build the best possible offer of local content and to maintain and strengthen the relationship with the creative community in both countries.”The news follows a period of change at Warner Bros Discovery’s international wing, which has seen senior execs Priya Dogra, Pierre Branco, Hannes Heyelmann and Robert Blair exit in the past year.
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