Warner Bros. Discovery has promoted Deniz Şaşmaz Oflaz to the role of vp of local original productions, local channels and streaming operations lead for Turkey. In her expanded role, she will oversee both the 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 streaming platform BluTV since January 2023, will continue to lead BluTV while taking on new responsibilities, including managing the company’s linear channels, such as TLC and DMAX, in Turkey.
“This leadership appointment underscores Warner Bros. Discovery’s commitment to strengthening its presence in Turkey and further integrating Warner Bros. Discovery’s and BluTV’s businesses,” the company said.
“In her new role, Deniz Şaşmaz Oflaz will retain leading the development and production of local content,” WBD also said. “As part of overseeing channel management for TLC and DMAX, Şaşmaz Oflaz will also supervise the local programming and scheduling teams for these popular brands. The responsibly for networks was previously held by Grigory Lavrov, vp of marketing, local brands & franchise management Central & Eastern Europe (CEE) and the Middle East, North Africa, and Turkey (MENAT).” Lavrov, who has led these channels since 2020, will maintain the leadership of the trade marketing teams across the twor regions and take on new responsibilities outside of Turkey.
Before taking on the role as CEO of BluTV, Şaşmaz Oflaz held several key roles within the company, including that of content and commercial director, content director, and content acquisition consultant, starting from 2016.
