Preston Kevin Lewis gets additional role at Warner Bros Consumer Products

He will build WBCP's interests in India and will oversee various functions related to merchandising and product licensing.

Warner Bros Consumer Products (WBCP) has announced that Preston Kevin Lewis, managing director, Australia and New Zealand, WBCP, will also oversee the India market, while continuing to drive the Australia and New Zealand businesses.

Lewis will be responsible for building WBCP's interests in India and will oversee all sales, marketing, promotions, clip licensing, media and retail partnerships related to the merchandising and product licensing business for the market.

He will continue to report to Jeffrey Whalen, senior vice-president and general manager of Latin America and Asia-Pacific for WBCP.

According to the official communiqué, the appointment comes as WBCP places increased focus on emerging markets to develop significant brand growth around the studio's extensive portfolio of properties.

Expanding his role into India, Lewis will continue to build the business utilising WBCP's arsenal of brands, from animated fare like Looney Tunes, Scooby-Doo and Tom and Jerry, to the DC Comics Super Heroes portfolio, and theatrical tent pole films including Man of Steel, Godzilla and The Hobbit Trilogy, to hit television properties such as The Big Bang Theory.

"I'm delighted to announce that Preston will be bringing his extensive skill set to the India market, in addition to continuing his existing responsibilities for Australia and New Zealand," says Jeffrey Whalen, senior vice-president, international licensing, WBCP. "I am very confident that he will introduce new initiatives, create partnerships with major brands in India and successfully grow our consumer products business in this important market."

Lewis joined Warner Bros Consumer Products in 2006 as vice-president of international licensing, and created and implemented a series of strategic initiatives for the Australia and New Zealand businesses.

Before joining WBCP, Lewis held a variety of positions within major multi-national entertainment companies including Disney Consumer Products, MTV Program Enterprises and HBO Home Video.