With the Discovery-WarnerMedia deal expected to be completed as soon as Friday, David Zaslav—who will be chairman and CEO of the combined company—has set his leadership team for Warner Bros. Discovery.
JB Perrette, former president and CEO of Discovery Streaming and International, will assume the role of CEO and president of Warner Bros. Discovery Global Streaming and Interactive Entertainment.
Perrette will be responsible for HBO Max and Discovery+, as well as all direct-to-consumer and gaming around the world.
Additionally, Casey Bloys continues as chief content officer of HBO & HBO Max.
“We are so excited to bring the heritage and legacies of these two great companies together by creating Warner Bros. Discovery, and I am proud that our new executive management team blends world-class leaders from both organizations as we take our first step toward one single cohesive, collaborative culture,” said David Zaslav, the future CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery in a statement. “Today’s announcement combines a strong team of professional managers in a simpler organizational structure, with fewer layers, more accountability and a singular strategic focus as a global pure-play content company.
“I look forward to rolling up my sleeves with this team so that, together, we can write this next exciting chapter,” Zaslav continued. “These accomplished leaders will create a place where creatives, talent and all of our people in every corner of the globe can do their best work and inspire audiences everywhere with the magic, joy and wonder of world-class storytelling, news and sports.”
Several top WarnerMedia executives, including CEO Jason Kilar, HBO Max evp and general manager Andy Forssell, WarnerMedia Studios and Networks Group chair and CEO Ann Sarnoff, and evp and chief revenue officer Tony Gonclaves, announced their departures earlier this week ahead of the merger.