Ellison and Kreiz to serve as co-CEOs, with Bari Weiss and Mark Thompson continuing as news chiefs
By Kelly Cloonan
Paramount Skydance laid out more details of its leadership structure ahead of the close of its deal for Warner Bros. Discovery, confirming the positions of David Ellison, Bari Weiss and Mark Thompson.
The appointments, announced Monday, come as Paramount looks to close its $81 billion deal for Warner this week. A federal judge last week approved Paramount's settlement with 12 state attorneys general to resolve an antitrust case, paving the way for the acquisition to close.
David Ellison, CEO of Paramount, will be chairman and chief executive of the combined company-dubbed Skydance-alongside co-CEO Ynon Kreiz. Paramount disclosed the appointment of Kreiz, the outgoing CEO of Mattel, last week.
Kreiz will be responsible for day-to-day management and focus on the integration of the combined businesses.
Ellison will focus on the entity's long-term strategy, creative vision and direction, including talent relationships, strategic partnerships, technology and capital allocation, the company said.
Additionally, Mark Thompson will continue as chairman and editor-in-chief of CNN Worldwide, and Bari Weiss will continue as editor-in-chief of CBS News.
Andy Gordon, currently chief strategy officer and chief operating officer of Paramount, will serve as president of the combined company.
More than a dozen leaders across the combined company's corporate, business and news functions will report directly to Ellison and Kreiz.
Dana Goldberg and Josh Greenstein will take on co-chair roles of Skydance Motion Picture Group while Peter Safran and James Gunn will be co-chairs of DC Studios.
Dennis Cinelli, chief financial officer of Paramount, will continue to hold the same role at the combined company.
HBO and HBO Max content chief Casey Bloys will oversee all streaming programming for the combined company
"Together, Paramount and Warner Bros. will form a creative-first home with the scale, imagination and technology to define entertainment for a generation," Ellison said.