Overnight, whilst most of us here in the UK were trying to contend with another night of heatwave, Warner Media set out immediate plans to layoff over 800 staff.
Layoffs had been anticipated following Warner’s merger with AT&T and finally, just two weeks before DC’s FanDome event, the axe swung on a number of high profile staff.
Around 650 of those layoffs come under the Warner Bros. banner with another 150 coming from the HBO side of the business.
The unprecedented movs come as WarnerMedia CEO Jason Kilar looks to streamline the WarnerMedia business with a greater emphasis on HBO Max which offers content from across the Warner Bros. patch.
The names of those laid off employees include Warner Bros. CFO Kim Williams, Warner Bros. Worldwide Television Distribution president Jeff Schlesinger and Ron Sanders, Warner Bros. president, Worldwide Theatrical Distribution & Home Entertainment and Executive Vice President, International Business Operations.
“Jeff, Ron and Kim are all highly valued members of my senior leadership team, and we will be forever grateful for the many meaningful and lasting contributions each of them has made to Warner Bros.,” said Ann Sarnoff, chair and CEO of Warner Bros. and newly announced head of WarnerMedia’s Studio and Networks Group in a statement published in The Hollywood Reporter. “I thank them all for their dedication and years of service, and wish them the very best in their next chapters.”
Under the DC Entertainment banner, Editor-in-Chief Bob Harris, senior VP of publishing strategy and support services Hank Kanalz, VP of marketing and creative services Jonah Weiland, VP global publishing initiatives and digital strategy Bobbie Chase, senior story editor Brian Cunningham, and executive editor Mark Doyle, have all been reportedly removed from their positions within the company.
Jim Lee remains in post a Chief Creative Officer and is expected to oversee the DC brand as Warner Media looks to expand in more stable business territories.
Rumours also persist that nearly all staff at DC’s DC Universe streaming service has been let go. It is said that only a skeleton staff remains was Warner looks to tie up the service and fold in the TV and film content to HBO Max.
A difficult day for all. Our thoughts are with those who find themselves without jobs today.
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