Warner Bros. Discovery has promoted Deniz Şaşmaz Oflaz to the role of vice president of local original productions, local channels and streaming operations for Turkey. In his expanded role, he will oversee both streaming and linear TV businesses in the region, the conglomerate said on Monday.
Şaşmaz Oflaz, who has served as CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery's BluTV streaming platform since January 2023, will continue to lead BluTV by taking on new responsibilities, including managing the company's linear channels, such as TLC and DMAX, in Turkey.
“This leadership appointment highlights Warner Bros. Discovery’s commitment to strengthening its presence in Turkey and further integrating the Warner Bros. Discovery and BluTV businesses,” the company said.
“In his new role, Deniz Şaşmaz Oflaz will continue to lead the development and production of local content,” WBD also said. “As part of overseeing channel management for TLC and DMAX, Şaşmaz Oflaz will also oversee the local programming and scheduling teams for these popular brands. Responsibility for the goals was previously entrusted to Grigory Lavrov, Vice President Marketing, Local Brands and Franchise Management Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) and Middle East, North Africa and Türkiye (MENAT).” Lavrov, who has led these channels since 2020, will retain leadership of the trade marketing teams in the two regions and take on new responsibilities outside of Türkiye.
Prior to taking on the role of CEO of BluTV, Şaşmaz Oflaz held several key roles within the company, including content and commercial director, content director and content acquisition consultant, starting in 2016 .