With the court’s approval of the takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery, Paramount is entering the crucial phase of integration. David Ellison is already putting together the leadership team for the future group – and is planning a far-reaching reorganisation of the management and studio structure.

Paramount has appointed the former Mattel chief executive as co-CEO of the merged company Ynon Kreiz appointed. Whilst Ellison, as Chairman and CEO, will be responsible for strategy, creative direction, technology, talent relations and capital allocation, Kreiz will take charge of day-to-day operations and the integration of the merged companies. Kreiz will take up his post on 5 October; the merger is expected to be finalised on 6 October.

The new structure is also becoming apparent in the streaming sector. Cindy Holland, who has been in charge of Paramount’s direct-to-consumer operations to date, is leaving the company. Casey Bloys, currently Head of HBO and HBO Max Content at Warner Bros. Discovery, is set to take charge of the merged group’s streaming operations in future. A formal appointment has yet to be made.

A change in leadership is also on the cards in the film industry. Michael De Luca and Pamela Abdy, who have been heading Warner’s film division since 2022, are not expected to be part of the new management team once the takeover is complete. On the Paramount side, the following are involved: Dana Goldberg and Josh Greenstein There are already two executives at the helm of the film business. They are set to play a key role in the management of the merged studios in future.

With this, the future structure of the new media group is taking on a clearer shape just a few days before the planned closing: Ellison will focus on strategic and creative direction, whilst Kreiz will concentrate on day-to-day operations and integration. At the same time, the streaming and film divisions are being reorganised in terms of personnel. The name of the new company has yet to be decided.