Warner Bros. Discovery today announced that Polly Cochrane, EVP & Country Manager, UK & Ireland, WarnerMedia has decided to step down after 13 years in senior management roles at the company, and more than three decades in leadership roles in the media and entertainment sector.
Polly joined WarnerMedia in 2009 as SVP of Group Marketing, a role in which she created the company’s first integrated marketing function, pioneering a lifecycle marketing approach to intellectual property, brands and franchises across films, TV series, games, consumer products and experiences. In 2014, Polly took on responsibility for the global development and management of the Wizarding World franchise, overseeing a period of significant expansion and growth.
In 2020, Polly was appointed Country Manager for the UK and Ireland, leading the development and execution of WarnerMedia’s commercial and marketing activities across the region. In this role, she integrated the Warner Bros. and Turner businesses in the UK and Ireland, delivered significant synergies, and built and executed a cohesive strategy across the company’s many lines of business. Polly leaves the company to pursue a portfolio career, which will include coaching and mentoring leaders and emerging talent.
Priya Dogra, President & Managing Director, Warner Bros. Discovery EMEA (ex. Poland), said: “Polly is a gifted executive whose impact on our business has been nothing short of extraordinary. Her vision for creating an integrated marketing function across numerous lines of business, as well as developing and maintaining sustainable brands and franchises, has been replicated across the company’s global operations. Polly is known for her leadership and presence, and has been a staunch advocate for her teams. The company has benefited immensely from her skills, dedication and passion, which have helped bring countless films and television programmes to UK audiences for over a decade. I am very sad to see her leave but I have no doubt of her continued contribution and influence on the UK media sector, including through her focus on coaching leaders of the future.â€
Following the close of the merger between Discovery and WarnerMedia, Warner Bros. Discovery continues its integration of the two businesses. Priya Dogra will announce her new management team in due course. In the interim, Polly Cochrane remains in her role until a new leadership team is announced, and will stay on for a subsequent period of transition.
“Leading the UK and Ireland team at WarnerMedia has been the great privilege of my career, particularly during the last two challenging years”
Polly Cochrane
Polly Cochrane said: “Leading the UK and Ireland team at WarnerMedia has been the great privilege of my career, particularly during the last two challenging years. This is a hard company to leave for many reasons but first and foremost because of the people with whom I’ve been lucky enough to work. My aim has always been to create environments where individuals and teams feel supported, motivated, and inspired to do outstanding work that makes them proud. I believe the output over the last 13 years speaks for itself. At this time of great change for the company, it feels like the right time to also make a big change for myself. I am immensely excited to embark on this next chapter as a mentor and coach, in addition to carrying out non-executive roles, to develop others and achieve positive lasting change.â€
