Warner Bros Discovery Names Buddy Marini As Japanese GM

Sara Merican
·2 min read

Warner Bros. Discovery has named Buddy Marini as its Japanese GM, reporting to WBD Asia-Pacific president James Gibbons.

Based in Tokyo, Marini’s role will involve leading WBD’s home entertainment, digital and TV licensing, consumer products, anime production, franchise and pay TV networks operations, but excludes theatrical operations and the Warner Bros Studio Tour Tokyo: The Making of Harry Potter business. He takes up the post June 3.

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The company said Marini will be tasked with driving growth and revenues business-wide, including expansion across distribution and sales strategies, digital platforms and local anime production.

Most recently, Marini founded global mobile platform Mangamo, offering a large mobile manga library to fans worldwide. With more than 25 years’ experience in leadership across media and technology companies in Japan, China and the U.S., Marini was also Japan’s GM for gaming company Supercell, as well as the CEO for streamer Hulu Japan.

Additionally, he has held leadership positions at Avex Group Holdings Inc., Universal Studios and Mitsui-Sumitomo Investment Bank. Marini earned his Finance degree at Lehigh University, Pennsylvania, and an MBA in Entertainment Marketing from UCLA’s Anderson School of Management.

“Buddy brings an impressive track record to WBD, with two decades of broad industry experience across several markets and verticals,” said Gibbons. “Japan is a key growth driver, with opportunities to scale further through franchise and IP development, distribution partnerships and content for both local and global platforms. Buddy’s expertise, proven leadership and commercial mindset will be key as we look to deliver these ambitions.”

Marini added: “I am honored to join WBD at such an exciting time in the industry. Japan holds a special place in the world of entertainment, and I look forward to working with the talented team at WBD to deliver world-class content and unforgettable experiences to audiences in Japan and around the globe.”

WBD also confirmed the promotion of Chieko Nishi as Vice President, Head of Networks, Japan, replacing Glen Kyne, who has decided to depart the company and will leave on July 5.

Nishi joined WBD in 2023 to lead the company’s content and network operations and brought more than 17 years’ experience to the business, including a role as Head of Studios at Spotify Japan. Over the past year, Nishi consolidated WBD’s seven-channel linear portfolio under a new joint venture with J:COM, and spearheaded new commercial partnerships locally. Nishi will report to Marini.

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