Ann Sarnoff to Take the Helm at Warner Bros.

Ann Sarnoff, currently president, BBC Studios Americas, will join Warner Bros. as the studio’s new chair and CEO. WarnerMedia CEO John Stankey revealed the appointment this week, with Sarnoff set to join the company later this month. In her new role, Sarnoff will oversee worldwide operations at Warner Bros., including the production, marketing, and distribution of film, television, and interactive entertainment.

“I am delighted Ann is joining the WarnerMedia team and excited to work side by side with such a talented and accomplished individual. She brings a consistent and proven track record of innovation, creativity, and business results to lead an incredibly successful studio to its next chapter of growth,” says Stankey. “Ann has shown the ability to innovate and grow revenues and has embraced the evolution taking place in our industry. I am confident she will be a great cultural fit for WarnerMedia and that our employees will embrace her leadership, enthusiasm, and passion for our business.”

Sarnoff’s previous experience spans more than 30 years and includes time with a wide array of media and entertainment businesses, including Dow Jones, Viacom, the NBA, and the BBC — where she has driven growth and profit across the company’s diversified business division in the U.S., Canada, and Latin America. Additionally, she oversaw L.A. Productions, linear and digital program sales and co-productions, home entertainment, and licensing, and led efforts to amplify BBC Studios’ global brands including Doctor Who, Top Gear, and BBC Earth.

“It is a privilege to join a studio with such a storied history. Warner Bros. has been an industry leader for decades and is known for creating many of the most iconic film, TV, and gaming properties,” Sarnoff says. “I accept this position excited by the opportunity to work with the most accomplished executives and teams in media, and confident about carrying this incredible heritage forward with them.”

“Ann’s contribution to BBC Studios has been immense,” adds Tim Davie, CEO, BBC Studios. “She has grown our core business as well as driving significant innovation, including the successful creation of BritBox, the growth of BBC America alongside our partner AMCN, the launch of new channels like BBC Earth in Canada, and major new content and production deals. We will miss her generosity and her spirit of collaboration, and we wish her great success at Warner Bros.”

About the author

James Zahn

James Zahn, AKA The Rock Father, is Editor-in-Chief of The Toy Book, a Senior Editor at The Toy Insider and The Pop Insider, and Editor of The Toy Report, The Toy Book‘s weekly industry newsletter. As a pop culture and toy industry expert, Zahn has appeared as a panelist and guest at events including Comic-Con International: San Diego (SDCC) Wizard World Chicago, and the ASTRA Marketplace & Academy. Zahn has more than 30 years of experience in the entertainment, retail, and publishing industries, and is frequently called upon to offer expert commentary for publications such as Forbes, Marketwatch, the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, USA Today, Reuters, the Washington Post, and more. James has appeared on History Channel’s Modern Marvels, was interviewed by Larry King and Anderson Cooper, and has been seen on Yahoo! Finance, CNN, CNBC, FOX Business, NBC, ABC, CBS, WGN, The CW, and more. Zahn joined the Adventure Media & Events family in 2016, initially serving as a member of the Parent Advisory Board after penning articles for the Netflix Stream Team, Fandango Family, PBS KIDS, Sprout Parents (now Universal Kids), PopSugar, and Chicago Parent. He eventually joined the company full time as a Senior Editor and moved up the ranks to Deputy Editor and Editor-in-Chief.