Warner Bros. Discovery International TV Distribution President, Robert Blair, will exit the company following a 25-year tenure. His departure was confirmed by WBD President of International Gerhard Zeiler. “Last year, we unveiled a new org structure for international, which we believed best positioned us for success at that time," Zeiler said in an internal note. "But we also acknowledged that in an ever-changing industry and market, we would need to continue to evolve in a thoughtful and strategic way, along with the climate around us."
Blair's departure follows a noted necessity for a change of structure. The role, which he was promoted to in 2019, will not be replaced.“Seven months into 2023, although we remain confident about our trajectory as a business, we are at another inflection point, and one where the global economy has not rebounded as quickly as we had hoped," Zeiler said.
Blair joined Warner Bros. in 1998 as General Manager for Canada. He was later promoted to VP and general manager for the territory in 2000. In 2017, he was appointed to the London-based role of executive VP for international distribution, where he oversaw TV sales. He then took on his last role as President of Warner Bros. Discovery international TV distribution, under which he oversaw licensing for TV, film and digital programming from Warner Bros., HBO and Turner as well as all the international sales teams.
“My humble thanks to Robert for his outstanding leadership, talent, and effort to help us get where we are today,” wrote Zeiler. “Robert’s contribution to the company in his 25 years has been outstanding and can be measured in several billions of dollars of sales-contracts he made possible every single year. Despite being known as tough negotiator, he is respected by all of his clients he dealt with. He is also an exceptional leader, who mentored many talents within the company and is admired and valued by his team.”