Warner Bros. restructures as Fox gets China post

Warner Bros. Entertainment as handed senior exec Reg Harpur an expanded international role as executive VP Richard Fox (pictured) moves to Beijing to oversee the studio’s expansion there.

Harpur – currently executive VP, operations and planning – will take on day-to-day oversight of the firm’s Amsterdam regional distribution hub, with the local country managers from international territories now reporting into him.

Warner’s country managers in the UK and Ireland, Germany, France, Italy, Spain and Japan previously reported to Warner Bros. Entertainment chairman and CEO Kevin Tsujihara and Fox, who is relocating. They now report to Tsujihara and Harpur.

The long-serving Fox will as of next year oversee Warner’s expansion in China, and its Chinese-language film coproduction joint venture with China Media Capital, Flagship Entertainment.

Fox, Harpur and Tsuijara will work together to recruit a new country manager for China.

Harpur, who has been with Warner Bros. since 1992, will continue to work closely with the studio’s management team to create new opportunities across the global business, including focus on local markets.

“With more than 20 years at the Studio, Reg is well-versed in every aspect of our business,” said Tsujihara. “With these new responsibilities, he will bring valuable insight and expertise to our international operations, which are responsible for more than half the studio’s revenues. He’s a great colleague, and I look forward to working with him in this new role.”

Fox, meanwhile, will work with divisional leaders in the US and key execs in China to coordinate business in the territory. He has been the studio’s executive VP, international for the past 23 years, having joined the company as a management trainee in 1975.

“Whether it’s in Burbank or Beijing, Warner Bros. has a longstanding reputation as being an excellent business and creative partner,” said Fox. “I’m honored that I will be furthering this tradition and extending the Studio’s legacy through our work in China as well as on the Flagship titles.”

Tsujihara said he saw “incredible opportunities” in China.