WarnerMedia assembles content team for HBO Max

WarnerMedia is assembling the content team behind its fledgling service HBO Max. 

The business has appointed TNT exec Sarah Aubrey, the exec who greenlit such series as Claws, Animal Kingdom and Good Behavior, as head of original content for the original programming division.

She will report into HBO Max chief content officer Kevin Reilly.

Set to join the team is Joey Chavez, who will board as EVP of original drama. Meanwhile, Jeniffer Kim will be SVP of international originals; Jessie Henderson is to serve as EVP of original feature films; and Suzanna Makkos will be EVP of original comedy and animation.

Jennifer O’Connell, who joined the business in May, is EVP of original non-fiction and kids.

Elsewhere, Eric Besner will serve as SVP of business development and strategy, while Sandra Dewey will be president of business operations and productions.

Meredith Gertier will serve as EVP of programme strategy and planning. She will report into HBO programming boss Casey Bloys.

Michael Quigley will be EVP of content acquisitions and strategy.

The content team reports into Reilly.

WarnerMedia pulled back the curtains on HBO Max earlier this month, unveiling its programming slate, which will include 10,000 hours of content ranging from classic comedy Friends to new original shows.

In addition to HBO content, the service spans a range of brands including TNT, TBS, CBS, the CW, Cartoon Network and others.

Earlier this week, WarnerMedia handed a 10-episode straight-to-series order for a reboot of teen drama Gossip Girl.

WarnerMedia chairman Bob Greenblatt said: “Kevin has assembled a stellar creative team for new originals and acquisitions that will make our HBO Max service second-to-none. With these originals and the full force of the vast WarnerMedia portfolio, including the might of HBO, I couldn’t be more proud of the content we are bringing together across this company that will appeal to everyone in the household.”