Warner Bros. Digital Networks Group has promoted Jay Levine to EVP, where he will play a lead role in guiding the unit’s development and build out of OTT services.
Levine, who reports to Craig Hunegs, president, business and strategy at Warner Bros. Television Group, president, Warner Bros. Digital Networks Group, will also seek growth of the division’s digital native content footprint and head up the group’s day-to-day operations, including ad sales, distribution, finance, business development and planning.
Founded last June, Warner Bros. Digital Networks Group is tasked with building OTT services, producing digital native content, growing Warner Bros.’ direct-to-consumer capabilities, as well as building a “digital-first team” at the studio. WBDNG, which also works with HBO and Turner, has a portfolio that includes includes DramaFever, Stage 13, Ellen Digital Ventures and the Boomerang partnership with Turner, and Uninterrupted, a collaboration with LeBron James and Maverick Carter. More services will be announced in the company months, the company said.
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“Jay has been instrumental in helping us define the company’s digital strategy and build the Warner Bros. Digital Networks Group,” Hunegs said in a statement. “I have worked closely with him in our TV Group and I am pleased he is now taking on a key leadership role in this fast-growing, impactful, direct-to-consumer hub at Warner Bros.”
Levine, who joined the company in 2009, most recently served as SVP, business & strategic planning at Warner Bros. Television, and played a key role in the expansion of The CW through digital partnerships with Netflix and Hulu, and new linear and on-demand distribution windows for WBTVG. He is also late of The Walt Disney Company and ESPN, and started his career at Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc.. Levine earned both his Bachelor of Science in Economics and a MBA in Accounting and Finance from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
