Skydance Finalizes Comms Team With Many Warner Bros. Execs Leaving

Skydance Communications has finalized its leadership team following the completion of the Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger. The team consists of Laura Watson, Shannon Buck, Virginia Fout, and Deborah Marcus, who lead corporate, executive and strategic communications, corporate communications and media relations, global and executive events, and corporate and social responsibility, respectively. Chris Ender, Brooke Robertson, and Jeff Cusson will serve as comms leads for Skydance TV, Studios, and DTC, respectively.

Zukerman expressed gratitude for the team's contributions and mentioned that they would be expanding their capabilities in financial communications and product and technology communications. The company also acknowledged the departures of several communications executives, including Karen Shosfy and Megan Klein from Paramount, and Joe Libonati, Arielle Falkowitz, Heather Wagoner, Adrienne O'Hara, and Dennis Williams from Warner Bros. Discovery. Zukerman thanked them for their partnership and wished them well.

The memo emphasized Skydance's mission to protect and promote the company's business and people, advance priorities, strengthen reputation, and ensure understanding of the company, its values, and future direction. With a broad range of businesses, brands, content, and creative talent, Skydance aims to harness this ecosystem to create more creativity and impact through its communications, reaching people in various ways.

The company has three core priorities: establishing itself as the premier Hollywood content engine, accelerating its integrated direct-to-consumer platform, and optimizing its profitable linear television portfolio. All these goals are underpinned by the ambition to build the most technologically capable media company.

The Corporate Communications function will oversee enterprise and executive communications, working closely with teams across the businesses. In addition to traditional communications, the company will launch a Direct to Market function to expand executive storytelling, find new channels and formats, and strengthen relationships with journalists.

CSR is also an essential part of Skydance's team, dedicated to extending the company's mission beyond its walls and supporting people, causes, and communities. Events are another central aspect of the team, creating memorable moments that celebrate projects, people, and communities, showcasing Skydance's incredible work.