Warner Bros. Discovery ( WBD ) has hired an original production manager for Max in Italy and the Iberian Peninsula, an interesting move that rounds out its local content team ahead of the streaming service’s launch in Europe next year.
Alberto Carullo has been appointed Vice President Max Local Original Production Italy & Iberia, reporting directly to Laura Carafoli, SVP, Content Networks & Streaming Local Productions, Italy & Iberia.
Max will be launched in 22 European countries in 2024. Those like Iberia, which already offers HBO Max, will be the first countries to get the platform.
No date was given for the launch in Italy, where WBD has an output deal with Sky Italia for HBO content. It ends in 2025 and Deadline reached out to WBD for clarity on future releases and content plans.
Carullo, whose main base will be in Madrid, will start his new role on January 1. He will be responsible for the development and execution of both local productions with and without script, to stream in Spain and at the same time work on development projects for Italy.
The Italian-born director has worked in both countries for more than 30 years, including as head of marketing and on-air at Mediaset and director of Telecinco in Spain.
He also held senior positions at Big Bang Media and Boca Boca and was most recently head of Warner Bros International Television Production in Spain and Portugal. WBD announced today that Stefano Torrisi will take on the role.
His appointment completes Carafoli’s South European hub team, which also includes Aldo Romersa, VP, programming for general entertainment channel Nove and men’s channels in the Italian portfolio; Gesualdo Vercio, VP, Programming, responsible for Lifestyle Net Real Time and the women’s and children’s channels in the Italian portfolio; Bibiana Gonzalez, program director for Iberia and program and production manager for WBD’s television stations in Spain and Portugal; and Cecilia Penati, head of content development and production, overseeing Italian productions.
“Alberto Carullo’s profile, experience and industry knowledge both in the Iberian Peninsula and in Italy represent an important added value for the growth and development of streaming activities in our region,” said Carafoli. “His arrival is certainly strategic in view of Max’s debut next spring at Iberia, both to lay the foundation for building the best possible offer of local content and to preserve the relationship with the creative community in the countries that are preserved, to strengthen and strengthen.”
The news follows a period of change at WBD’s international wing, with senior executives Priya Dogra, Pierre Branco, Hannes Heyelmann and Robert Blair leaving the company last year.
Source: Deadline
Joseph Fearn is an entertainment and television aficionado who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a keen eye for what’s hot in the world of TV, Joseph keeps his readers informed about the latest trends and must-see shows.
