WarnerMedia Merger Deal Kicks Off Scramble for Interim Leadership
The merger between AT&T’s WarnerMedia and Discovery Inc. instantly set off speculation in Hollywood over who will run WarnerMedia after the expected exit of CEO Jason Kilar, with candidates ranging from tech veteran Andy Forssell to HBO chief Casey Bloys to former HBO leader Richard Plepler. Given the magnitude of the deal, its complexities and the swiftness by which the deal was announced, it’s unclear who has the leadership skills to lead should the exit of Kilar become official, which is likely. Two insiders say the clear choice would be a team of Kilar’s top lieutenants, which could include HBO Max General Manager and longtime ally of Kilar’s Forssell; WarnerMedia Studios and Networks Group CEO and Chair Ann Sarnoff; and chief content officer of HBO and HBO Max Casey Bloys, who reports to Sarnoff. They could share the work, similar to WarnerMedia’s decision in 2019 to set an interim leadership team after CEO Kevin Tsujihara was dismissed and before Sarnoff replaced him. A third insider said AT&T CEO John Stankey could take over in the interim, with department heads reporting to him. Other possibilities include Mary Parent, former Chairperson of MGM’s Worldwide Motion Picture Group and former President of Production...
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