• by Karlene Lukovitz  @KLmarketdaily, October 25, 2023

Warner Bros. Discovery is reshuffling the executive structure of its global consumer products and franchises division, which manages its intellectual property and DC Comics. 

The changes are in response to the exit of Pam Lifford, president of the group, who is stepping down to attend to a family member’s healthcare needs, according to the company. 

Lifford joined Warner Bros. in 2016 as president of consumer products and is credited with developing the organization into a global, franchise-based business while increasing revenues fivefold.

Chief Revenue and Strategy Officer Bruce Campbell, who oversees the division, will now have new direct reports starting with Robert Oberschelp, who will be the new head of global consumer products. 

Oberschelp, a licensing industry veteran with previous jobs at NBCUniversal, Walt Disney and Williams-Sonoma, currently leads North America consumer products for WBD.  

Preston Kevin Lewis, head of consumer products for Latin America and retail management for the Americas, will add responsibility for North America Consumer Products.   

Julian Moon, head of consumer products for EMEA and Asia Pacific, announced that he will retire in  2024 after 33 years at the company.  In the coming months, he will report to Oberschelp and work with him and WBD leadership on succession plans.    

Peter van Roden,head of Global Themed Entertainment, will continue to lead the licensed location-based entertainment, theme parks and in-person experiences businesses.His team manages the strategic partnership with Universal Destinations & Experiences for “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” and overseesWarner Bros. World Abu Dhabi and The WB Abu Dhabi, as well as global experiences inspired by the Wizarding World, DC, Looney Tunes, Scooby-Doo, Game of Thrones, Friends and more.    

Campbell announced that he will recruit a new global head of franchise who will work with Campbell, the leadership of the film, television and games businesses and the creative leadership of WBD to develop the company’s global IP portfolio across its business segments.