Thomas Gewecke

Thomas Gewecke serves as Chief Digital Officer and Executive Vice President, Strategy and Business Development, and is responsible for driving the Studio’s worldwide digital growth, managing its global business strategy, including its M&A and investing activities, and leading its worldwide technology efforts. Gewecke is charged with oversight and coordination of the Studio’s various digital strategies to maximize the value of Warner Bros.’ content across all current and emerging digital exhibition platforms. Additionally, he oversees the Studio’s Corporate Business Development and Strategy, Technology, Content Protection and Anti-Piracy groups.

Since assuming his current post in 2013, Gewecke has led the teams responsible for identifying, analyzing and securing a number of transformational transactions across the company. Among these deals are the 2014 acquisition of Eyeworks, which exponentially expanded the Studio’s international TV production capabilities; the 2015 founding of Flagship Entertainment, a film production and distribution joint venture between Warner Bros. and China Media Capital; the acquisition of the Machinima gamer network and DramaFever OTT service, leading to the 2016 launch of Warner Bros. Digital Networks Group to expand the company’s overall direct-to-consumer business; a strategic investment in HOOQ, a streaming service in five southeast Asian countries; the company’s partnership with Fandango (merging Warner Bros.’ Rotten Tomatoes and Flixster with Fandango for an ownership stake in the newly combined company); and various investments in emerging technologies, including AR and VR.

Prior to his current role, Gewecke served as President of Warner Bros. Digital Distribution, a position he had held since January 2008. Under Gewecke, WBDD expanded its global footprint to make the Studio’s movie and television content available for transactional purchase in every major market, through more than 100 digital retail partners, and was consistently recognized as a leader and innovator in the distribution of digital content.

WBDD led the industry in offering On Demand movies day-and-date with DVD release, bundling digital copies with new physical releases worldwide and making movies available directly to fans through new channels, including Facebook and as international “App Editions” on the iOS platform. To expand consumer access to the Studio’s vast library, WBDD launched Warner Archive, now a part of Warner Bros. Digital Networks Group, a groundbreaking service that makes more than 1,000 “out of print” classic movie and TV titles available online and through manufacturing-on-demand technology. The division supported the record-breaking 2013 Kickstarter campaign for the Veronica Mars feature film, which it distributed in 2014. Gewecke also oversaw the Studio’s May 2011 acquisition of Flixster and Rotten Tomatoes.

Gewecke joined WBDD from Sony BMG Music Entertainment, where as Executive Vice President, Global Digital Business he was responsible for worldwide digital business development efforts and oversaw the creation of new digital ventures. In addition, Gewecke oversaw the company’s online advertising, digital long-form video and direct-to-consumer commerce businesses, and led its expansion into the U.S. off-deck mobile market.

Prior to Sony BMG, Gewecke was Senior Vice President of Business Development in the Digital Services Group for Sony Music Entertainment, Inc., where founded and led its mobile business, building a leading market position for the company, launching the industry’s first U.S. master ringtone offering in mid-2003 and becoming the only record label to create and operate a major U.S. on-deck, direct-to-consumer mobile storefront. Gewecke also supervised Sony Music’s interest in certain digital media investments.

Gewecke also held the position of Publisher of the PC World Online Network at International Data Group, a leading publisher of print and online technology magazines. During his tenure with the company, he built IDG’s largest online publishing division and oversaw the launch of multiple internet properties. He also played a major role in the development of IDG’s overall digital strategy.

Gewecke graduated magna cum laude from Harvard College in 1991 with a bachelor’s degree in social studies.