LONDON: Turner Broadcasting System International has appointed former journalist and editor Oliver Herrgesell SVP of comms for regions outside the US.
Herrgesell will serve as the Time Warner company's chief comms and PR executive in EMEA, Latin America, and Asia-Pacific, providing strategic direction and thought leadership with a focus on messaging and coordination. He is charged with developing strategy related to Turner's international business portfolio and industry position.
He took on the role at the broadcaster on December 1 and will be based in London at Turner's EMEA headquarters. He will work closely with Gerhard Zeiler, president of Turner Broadcasting System International.
"This position, and Oliver's professional stature, reflect the importance of our international business interests," said Jeff Matteson, SVP of comms at Turner Broadcasting, to whom Herrgesell will report.
Zeiler said: "Oliver is one of the most innovative, well-connected, and respected media professionals it has been my pleasure to work with, and I'm delighted he is joining the Turner International leadership team.
"I have quickly come to depend on the strategic focus and professionalism of the Turner Broadcasting comms effort around the world. Oliver will be a strong addition to that group, a valuable resource for the Turner International regional leaders, and a trusted adviser to me."
He served as EVP of comms, public affairs, and marketing at RTL Group in Luxembourg from 2006 until earlier this year. Previously, he was chief press officer and head of internal comms for Bertelsmann, following a writing and editing career with newspapers including Die Woche, Berliner Zeitung, and magazines Wiener, Tempo, and Stern.
Turner Broadcasting System operates more than 130 channels in 30 languages in 200 countries.
A version of this article originally appeared on the website of PRWeek UK, the sister publication of PRWeek at Haymarket Media.
