MIPCOM CANNES has announced that Gerhard Zeiler, President of International, Warner Bros. Discovery will give the opening keynote in Cannes at the 39th edition of the International Co-Production & Entertainment Content Market (16-19 Oct). The keynote will be presented as a fireside chat in the world-renowned Grand Auditorium of the Palais des Festivals in Cannes on Monday 16 October at 11.15.

A revered and accomplished executive on the international stage, Zeiler’s keynote comes almost 20years after being honoured as MIPCOM’s Personality of the Year in 2004 when CEO of RTL Group.

Zeiler is expected to share insight into Warner Bros. Discovery’s transformation post-merger as well as lay out the company’s worldwide content and streaming strategy. Zeiler’s responsibilities for Warner Bros. Discovery span strategic oversight of brands and joint responsibility for direct-to-consumer activity (including streaming service Max) across more than 220 markets; he is also responsible for local theatrical production, acquisitions, and country and region-specific networks and businesses in Latin America, Europe, Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. Originally appointed to the role in 2020, Zeiler’s remit extended to Discovery Inc.’s footprint in April 2022 following the close of the Discovery/Warner Media merger.

“We could not have a more relevant creative leader to be our opening Media Mastermind Keynote,” said Lucy Smith, Director of MIPCOM CANNES. “…with the industry at a pivotal point and global companies re-inventing for a new era. His presence at MIPCOM CANNES is a rare opportunity for entertainment execs to go inside the international strategy at the heart of one of the world’s biggest and fastest-evolving studios. A valued and hugely respected contributor to the market over several decades, his perspective on weathering such storms will be invaluable. We look forward to welcoming Gerhard Zeiler warmly to the Croisette in October.”

Gerhard Zieler said: “Our industry is facing heightened disruption and undergoing a process of transformation. These are times of change but it’s also a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to architect the media ecosystem for the next generation. I’m looking forward to speaking at MIPCOM about how WBD is putting storytelling first and refining and innovating to drive agility and flexibility to emerge in an even stronger position.”

Gerhard Zeiler Biography

Gerhard Zeiler serves as President of International for Warner Bros. Discovery. Zeiler has strategic oversight for the company’s brands and joint responsibility for direct-to-consumer in more than 220international markets. He is also responsible for local theatrical production and acquisitions, as well as managing the country and region-specific networks and businesses in Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific.

Appointed President of WarnerMedia International in 2020, Zeiler added responsibility for Discovery Inc.s significant international footprint following the close of the Discovery-Warner Media merger in April 2022.He first joined Turner in 2012 as President, Turner International, where he oversaw the entertainment and kids’ networks in all markets outside of North America, working with core global brands on local and regional channels.

Prior to joining Turner, Zeiler was CEO of RTL Group, a division of German conglomerate Bertelsmann and Europe’s largest television production and broadcast company. Under his leadership, RTL   international footprint, bringing hit competition shows like Idols and Got Talent to the U.S. market and growing its holdings to 41 channels and 34 radio stations across 10 countries. Among his many professional honors, Austrian-born Zeiler is the first non-American to receive NATPE’s prestigious Brandon Tartik off Legacy Award in 2011.