- Key division licenses WBD-produced content to all streaming and network platforms and includes direct-to-consumer digital and physical retail sales
- Longtime Warner Bros. executive Jim Wuthrich makes decision to leave after 24 years of industry innovations
David Decker has been promoted to President, Content Sales for Warner Bros. Discovery effective January 2, 2023. The appointment was announced by Bruce Campbell, Chief Revenue and Strategy Officer, Warner Bros. Discovery, to whom Decker will report as he takes on oversight of the division responsible for licensing and distributing all WBD-produced film, television, animation, and digital content to all third-party platforms across North America, as well as direct-to-consumer digital and physical retail sales. The promotion of Decker follows long-time Warner Bros. executive Jim Wuthrich’s decision to resign at the end of the year.
In making the appointment, Bruce Campbell said, “Licensing our world-class content to premier partners is one of Warner Bros. Discovery’s strategic pillars and will be a key driver of our Company in the years ahead. I’m excited to see David’s expertise and collaborative leadership style applied to the whole of our Content Distribution business.”
Decker added, “Warner Bros. Discovery has the best content in the world, and it’s both humbling and exciting to be leading the division that brings those films and television shows into the homes and onto the screens of millions across North America. I am energized to work with our great teams and amazing partners to drive value for our customers and company.”
Warner Bros. Discovery Content Sales licenses to every streaming and VOD platform, premium and basic cable networks, broadcast networks and local television stations, emerging digital networks, airlines, major retailers, and eCommerce platforms and includes the consumer-facing Warner Bros. Home Entertainment business.
Outgoing Content Sales President Jim Wuthrich played a critical role at Warner Bros. and in the home entertainment industry over his 24-year career. He drove the development and growth of in-home entertainment, from the introduction of DVD to the ongoing transition to digital. He pioneered the development of digital ownership formats and the global licensing of Warner Bros. content and ran WB Interactive for many years. He also led the team responsible for the theatrical windowing strategy that maximized the exposure and value of WB Pictures’ films after they left the theater.
Campbell commented on the Wuthrich decision saying, “Jim brought tremendous value and industry-defining strategy to Warner Bros. It is truly remarkable, and we thank him for that. If you know Jim, you know it will be interesting to see what he does next.”
Wuthrich serves as Chair Emeritus of the Digital Entertainment Group (DEG), the industry group that advocates and promotes entertainment platforms, products, and distribution channels that support the movie, television, audio, consumer electronics, and IT industries. He also serves as Chair of the nonprofit Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition, an organization dedicated to making LA bikeable, and serves on the Wisconsin School of Business Executive Advisory Board.
Decker, an 18-year veteran of legacy Warner Bros., was previously Executive Vice President, Content Licensing and was responsible for the distribution strategy and licensing of WBD content to third-party platforms and networks, brokering several landmark distribution deals including the successful sale of “The Jennifer Hudson Show” to local television stations across the United States. He was named Executive Vice President, Cable & SVOD Sales, Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution in 2015. Prior to that, he was Executive Vice President, Business and Legal Affairs for Worldwide Television Distribution, overseeing both domestic and international activities including the distribution of WB programming to all television and SVOD outlets around the world. In addition to overseeing domestic TV distribution, Decker also served as EVP, Business & Legal Affairs for Telepictures Productions, where he led business operations for the Company’s syndication production arm responsible for programs such “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” and “TMZ.” Before joining Warner Bros. and Telepictures, Decker spent six years at Stone Stanley Entertainment, lastly as Senior Vice President, Business & Legal Affairs.
Decker holds a Juris Doctor degree from Loyola and a bachelor’s degree from Dickinson College. He is based at Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, CA.
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About Warner Bros. Discovery
Warner Bros. Discovery (NASDAQ: WBD) is a leading global media and entertainment company that creates and distributes the world’s most differentiated and complete portfolio of content and brands across television, film and streaming. Available in more than 220 countries and territories and 50 languages, Warner Bros. Discovery inspires, informs and entertains audiences worldwide through its iconic brands and products including: Discovery Channel, discovery+, CNN, DC, Eurosport, HBO, HBO Max, HGTV, Food Network, OWN, Investigation Discovery, TLC, Magnolia Network, TNT, TBS, truTV, Travel Channel, MotorTrend, Animal Planet, Science Channel, Warner Bros. Film Group, Warner Bros. Television Group, Warner Bros. Games, New Line Cinema, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Turner Classic Movies, Discovery en Español, Hogar de HGTV and others. For more information, please visit www.wbd.com.
About Warner Bros. Discovery Content Sales
Warner Bros. Discovery Content Sales (WBDCS) is one of the leading distributors of entertainment programming, bringing award-winning movies, television, animation, and digital content produced by Warner Bros. Discovery to the homes and screens of millions across North America. Licensing content from Warner Bros. Pictures, Warner Bros. Television, HBO, Discovery, Cartoon Network, TBS, and more, WBDCS brings fans of Warner Bros. Discovery’s content even more ways to watch when and how they want across streaming, video-on-demand, cable, satellite and broadcast networks, local television stations, airlines and through digital purchases and physical media sales.