Warner Bros. Discovery Announces Post-Split Company Names, Executive Leadership Teams
The 'Streaming & Studios' company, which will house Warner Bros. Television, Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group, DC Studios, HBO, HBO Max and Warner Bros. Gaming Studios, as well as their film and TV libraries, will be called 'Warner Bros.' According to WBD, that's in 'honoring the legacy of more than a century of industry-defining storytelling.'
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'Global Networks,' which will include WBD's entertainment, sports and news TV brands worldwide including CNN, Discovery, TNT Sports in the U.S., and free-to-air channels across Europe as well as digital products such as the Discovery+ streamer and Bleacher Report (B/R), will be called Discovery Global. That name, according to WBD, was selected 'in recognition of the affinity and value this name has around the world in entertainment, news and sports.'
As previously announced, Warner Bros. will be led by president and CEO David Zaslav, currently president and CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery. The TV-centric Discovery Global will be headed by Gunnar Wiedenfels, currently CFO of Warner Bros. Discovery, who will serve as president and CEO.
Following the split, Zaslav's new employment agreement as CEO of Warner Bros. will 'significantly reduce his target annual compensation,' the company said last month. Wiedenfels' pay package will be upped from his existing CFO compensation 'to reflect his expanded responsibilities' as chief exec of Discovery Global.
RELATED:
Warner Bros. has begun searches for both the CFO and head of HR roles, while Discovery Global is looking to hire a chief communications and public affairs officer, according to Monday's announcement.
'We will proudly continue the more than century-long legacy of Warner Bros. through our commitment to bringing culture-defining stories, characters and entertainment to audiences around the world,' Zaslav said in a statement. 'Over the past several years, we have made important strides across the business, launching and investing in a profitable, global streaming service and reinvigorating our studios to return them again to an industry leading position. With our unmatched portfolio of storytelling IP coupled with our incredible creative partners, and now an executive team of proven, bold, and committed creative and corporate leaders, we are in a strong position to launch and continue to meaningfully grow a company worthy of our storied past.'
Other top execs at Warner Bros. following the split are set to include:
Pam Abdy, co-chair and CEO, Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group
Mike De Luca, co-chair and CEO, Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group
JB Perrette, CEO and president of streaming and games
Casey Bloys, chairman and CEO, HBO and HBO Max
James Gunn, co-chairman and CEO, DC Studios
Peter Safran, co-Chairman and CEO, DC Studios
Bruce Campbell, chief operating officer
Channing Dungey, chairman and CEO, Warner Bros. TV Group
Priya Aiyar, chief legal officer
Robert Gibbs, chief communications and public affairs officer
Lori Locke, chief accounting officer (reporting to the CFO)
Avi Saxena, chief technology officer (reporting to Perrette)
The Discovery Global leadership team includes:
Gerhard Zeiler, president, U.S., U.K. & Germany, Discovery+ and chief content officer
Fraser Woodford, CFO
David Duvall, chief technology officer
Amy Girdwood, chief people & culture officer
Ryan Gould, president, U.S. ad sales GTM (reporting to Zeiler)
Anil Jhingan, chief development officer
Kasia Kieli, president and managing director, Poland, and TVN CEO
Fernando Medin, president, international
Scott Miller, president, distribution (reporting to Zeiler)
Fulvia Nicoli, executive VP, content strategy and insights (reporting to Zeiler)
Brian Rauch, chief accounting officer (reporting to Woodford)
Luis Silberwasser, chairman and CEO, TNT Sports
Mark Thompson, chairman and CEO, CNN Worldwide
Sue Underwald, chief legal officer
Bobby Voltaggio, president, U.S. ad sales platform monetization (reporting to Zeiler)
Wiedenfels commented: 'As we prepare for the launch of Discovery Global, our enthusiasm for the opportunities ahead only grows thanks to our leading portfolio of beloved brands and programming, our worldwide footprint for adults, kids, and families, and now the experienced and talented leadership team who will ensure strong operational execution to drive strategic investments and deliver compelling content to global audiences.'
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