David Ellison and Ynon Kreiz announce CEO leadership team for Skydance following anticipated close of Warner Bros. Discovery acquisition

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LOS ANGELES and NEW YORK — Paramount Skydance Corporation (NASDAQ: PSKY) Chairman and CEO David Ellison and Co-CEO Ynon Kreiz announced their CEO Leadership Team (CLT) expected to lead the combined company, to be named Skydance, following the anticipated close of Paramount's acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. (NASDAQ: WBD). Drawing on deep expertise across entertainment, technology and business operations, the CLT brings together leaders from both companies and reflects their complementary strengths. Each will report directly to the CEOs.

These leaders bring decades of experience building and stewarding iconic franchises, a bold creative vision and a shared commitment to achieve the company's stated mission: to build the next-generation global media and entertainment company powered by creativity and technology. Together, they will focus on delivering exceptional storytelling for audiences around the world, creating new opportunities for creative talent and partners, and driving long-term value for shareholders.

The CLT, led by Ellison and Kreiz, is designed to drive transformation and growth, deepen collaboration across the business, and ensure the combined company is positioned to execute on its mission. Ellison will focus on the company's long-term strategy, creative vision and direction, including its talent relationships, strategic partnerships, technology and capital allocation. Kreiz will focus on the company's day-to-day management and integration of the combined business. Andy Gordon, president of Skydance, will work closely with both to advance the company's strategic priorities across its businesses. All three will also serve on the board of directors, with Ellison as chairman.

The following is the expected full CLT who will report to Ellison and Kreiz, assuming completion of the transaction:

Enterprise Leadership

  • David Ellison, chairman and chief executive officer
  • Ynon Kreiz, co-chief executive officer

CEO Corporate Leadership Team

  • Andy Gordon, president
  • Dennis Cinelli, chief financial officer
  • Makan Delrahim, chief legal officer and president, Global Corporate Affairs
  • Dane Glasgow, chief product officer
  • Rebecca Mall, chief marketing officer
  • Melissa Zukerman, chief communications officer

CEO Business Leadership Team

  • Casey Bloys, co-chair and chief content officer, Skydance DTC
  • George Cheeks, co-chair and chief content officer, Skydance TV
  • Dana Goldberg, co-chair, Skydance Motion Picture Group
  • Josh Greenstein, co-chair, Skydance Motion Picture Group
  • James Gunn, co-chairman of DC Studios
  • JB Perrette, co-chair and chief business officer, Skydance TV and co-chair and chief business officer, Skydance DTC
  • Peter Safran, co-chairman of DC Studios

CEO News Executive Leadership Team 

  • Mark Thompson, chairman and editor-in-chief of CNN Worldwide
  • Bari Weiss, editor-in-chief of CBS News

A complete list of the company's new Executive Leadership Team (ELT) will be issued soon after close.

David Ellison, chairman and CEO of Paramount, said: “I'm incredibly proud to introduce the team that will lead Skydance forward, a group that reflects the ambition behind this historic combination. Together, Paramount and Warner Bros. will form a creative-first home with the scale, imagination and technology to define entertainment for a generation. The leaders joining me have built some of the most beloved franchises and businesses in the industry, and they share a deep respect for the creative process and a belief that great stories have the power to entertain, unite and inspire audiences around the world. Their talent, experience and ambition are exactly what this moment demands, and together we will build a next-generation global media company that leads the industry in creative excellence and innovation, and delivers for audiences, creators, partners and shareholders alike.”

Ynon Kreiz, co-CEO of Paramount said: “Our goals as a team are to establish Skydance as the premier Hollywood content engine and home for the world's leading storytellers, accelerate our integrated DTC platform with the best content, leading-edge technology and superior consumer experience, and optimize our highly profitable linear TV portfolio, reaching audiences globally across every entertainment vertical. Together, we will: Win in storytelling by leveraging our creative capabilities, talent relationships, production prowess and expansive library of iconic IP; Build the most technologically capable media company through a modern tech platform to enhance the user experience, improve how we work and achieve operating efficiencies; and Lead in a crowded market by capitalizing on our scale, assets and global reach to compete in an evolving marketplace, drive synergies and grow our business.”

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