Turner Broadcasting System names Giorgio Stock as President, EMEA

International television executive Giorgio Stock will join Turner International as president of Turner Broadcasting System EMEA effective April 2013, it was announced today by Gerhard Zeiler, President of Turner Broadcasting System International.

Most recently Executive Vice President & General Manager of Disney Consumer Products, Publishing and Retail, EMEA, Stock will lead Turner International’s portfolio in Europe, Middle East and Africa.

As president of Turner Broadcasting System EMEA, Stock will have executive oversight for all entertainment and kids networks and media services offered in Europe, Middle East and Africa, the distribution and commercial operations of CNN’s services in that region, and all licensing and merchandising activity in EMEA.

“We are delighted that Giorgio is joining us and look forward to the leadership and wealth of international media experience he will bring to one of the most strategically important areas of Turner International,” said Zeiler. He continued: “His success in international licensing and merchandising, his experience in launching kid’s programmes and channels, as well as his deep understanding of digital commerce make him the ideal choice to lead our business in EMEA into the next stage of growth. Looking with fresh eyes at our business as a true leader, he will be a strong addition to Turner Broadcasting System International. We all look forward to working with him to extend our core brands and build international scale.”

“I am honoured to lead Turner’s EMEA operation and join a company with a distinguished track record of establishing iconic brands in the kids, news and entertainment space,” said Stock. “I am excited about the opportunities ahead and look forward to working with Gerhard, the EMEA leadership team and our colleagues throughout the region to build on a history of creativity and innovation. Opportunities abound to expand our brands and franchises across both existing and emerging platforms and to build the foundations for new consumer relevant propositions, leveraging the vast creative output and resources of both Turner and Time Warner.”

Turner Broadcasting System currently broadcasts 17 branded channels via 53 feeds in 27 languages to over 100 territories in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Leading channels include CNN International, Cartoon Network, Boomerang, Cartoonito, Boing, Adult Swim, TNT, TCM and Glitz. Committed to innovation and development, its brands are available to audiences across the EMEA region via the web, VOD, DVD, gaming, mobile, merchandising, publishing and emerging platforms.

Stock joins Turner after a 15-year career at Disney, most recently as Executive Vice President & General Manager of Disney Consumer Products, Publishing and Retail, EMEA. In that role, Stock was responsible for all merchandise licensing functions; Disney’s retail operations, including the Disney Stores; the Core Games; Publishing businesses; and Disney’s expanding e-commerce. He was a board member of German broadcasters Super RTL, RTL2 and Disney Cruise Lines.

Previously, Stock was Senior Vice President & Managing Director of Disney Channels Italy shaping the Italian operation into one of its European flagships. He moved to London in 2009 to take responsibility for the EMEA Disney channels and execute the merger with Jetix (formerly Fox Kids). He oversaw the exponential growth of an increasing portfolio of channels across the region (Disney Channel, Disney XD, Disney Junior, Cinemagic), the trebling distribution of Disney Channel and established a footprint in 118 countries reaching over 100 million homes.

Additionally, as Executive Vice President & Managing Director Disney Content Group EMEA, Stock headed up the company’s content creation divisions (Disney channels, Music, Publishing and Interactive Group comprising console, mobile and casual games and virtual worlds such as Club Penguin) and was responsible for their growth and strategic development across the region.

He began his Disney career in Publishing, eventually running Disney Publishing’s global licensing business as Vice President Publishing Worldwide out of Paris and New York.

Stock’s profile in media and entertainment dates back from 1992, when he joined Bertelsmann AG as Vice President, Corporate Development at the company’s head office in Germany. He moved on to roles of increasing responsibility in the Publishing division in the U.S. and Italy.

Stock started his career in 1988 in Corporate Finance with Matuschka Group in Germany.

He earned Master of Business Administration and Master of International Affairs degree from Columbia University and a Bachelor of Science degree from New York University. Stock is fluent in English, French, German, Italian and Spanish and proficient in Dutch and Portuguese.