Sue Kroll has assumed the new role of president of worldwide marketing at Warner Bros Pictures following the departure last week of domestic marketing chief Dawn Taubin.

Kroll's broad purview involves creating a seamless interaction between the domestic and international marketing divisions as she oversees strategic creation and implementation of worldwide campaigns. She will direct all aspects of marketing, advertising, media planning, promotion, publicity and research.

That Warner Bros should appoint a seasoned international executive acknowledges the importance of the overseas arena as a proving ground and demonstrates the gradual shift toward day-and-date releases for tentpole releases.

Kroll's influence as head of international marketing over the past seven years has resulted in huge success in tandem with international distribution chief Veronika Kwan-Rubinek: since her appointment in 2000 the studio has yielded seven successive $1bn years overseas, with 32 films grossing more than $100m.

Warner Bros Pictures Group president Jeff Robinov called Kroll 'an amazing marketer' and added: 'As the exhibition world increasingly becomes one market due to shifting windows, it makes a lot of sense for us to have the domestic and international marketing teams under one executive which will help us maximise our resources, our reach and our impact.'

President and COO Alan Horn and chairman and CEO Barry Meyer praised Kroll's range of talents and highlighted her ability to translate a film-maker's vision into global entertainment.

'I have to thank Jeff, Alan and Barry for presenting me with this extraordinary opportunity at such an interesting and dynamic time in our company's history,' Kroll said. 'As the global landscape of the film business continues to change, I'm truly looking forward to working with Jeff and the team to strategically meet the challenges and seize the opportunities that await us with creativity and innovation.'

Kroll has served as president of marketing at Warner Bros Pictures International since 2000, working with Kwan-Rubinek on the Harry Potter series, The Matrix Reloaded, The Matrix Revolutions and Batman Begins.

Prior to that she served as senior vice president of international marketing at Warner Bros Pictures. She joined the studio in 1994 as head of programming and operations for Warner Bros International Channels.

Earlier appointments included senior vice president and managing director of the TNT and Cartoon Network, as well as head of its marketing at TNT.

Topics