The acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, which owns TVN, by Skydance has been finalized. The head of the media giant’s product division addressed staff with an optimistic message, stating, “We will create and deliver next-generation products and services.”
The product director at the newly named Skydance is eager to initiate operations and is encouraging employees to do the same following the merger of Paramount Skydance with Warner Bros. Discovery.
He acknowledged that the months leading up to the merger were challenging and praised the resilience and unwavering commitment of teams during the transformation processes.
New Leadership and Vision at Skydance
In his message, he reiterated comments made by CEO David Ellison regarding the merger, noting that technology is transforming the creation, distribution, and reception of stories. He emphasized that the team would help keep the company at the forefront of these changes.
The acquisition, finalized on Tuesday, involved a deal valued at $110 billion, leading to the formation of a new media giant named Skydance. The company now owns Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros. Studios, HBO, CBS, CNN, and TVN, alongside valuable intellectual properties like DC Comics and Harry Potter.
Strategic Outlook for Employees
“I would like to welcome you all to the new Product & Tech division at Skydance! For over a century, Paramount and Warner Bros. have operated as two legendary companies that created new worlds, captivated audiences, and told industry-shaping stories. As we expand our horizons, I want us to collectively appreciate the work that has brought us to this historic moment. Together, we combine the talents of the best specialists in product, technology, operations, and production services. We will create and deliver next-generation products and services, leveraging our shared expertise to provide richer experiences and new opportunities to our key stakeholders: creators, consumers, advertisers, content partners, and employees.”
He also acknowledged the past months’ demands, especially for those on the front lines of ongoing transformations within the companies. He expressed deep appreciation for their persistence and dedication to achieving stakeholder goals each day.
- Cultural Integration: We are merging two organizations, each proud of their legacy. Let’s approach this process with good intentions and genuine curiosity about how the other side operates. We will listen to each other, ask questions, share information, and openly and constructively address any differences.
- Work Methodology: We will always start with hypotheses and quickly move to prototyping and working versions to verify our assumptions. We will be our own first users, ensuring that our fast, iterative process translates to high-quality customer experiences. We will continuously share insights and encourage our team to remain curious while seeking new methods. At the same time, we will balance patience with each other during the blending of two organizational cultures and determination to swiftly address processes that slow us down.
- Leadership Approach: Leaders must act under uncertainty and allow the best ideas to prevail. They will maintain clear communication in both directions, promptly informing teams about the current situation and swiftly signaling concerns to prevent them from escalating into serious issues. Customer-centricity will be the core of every decision made.
As David mentioned earlier on Tuesday, technology is changing how stories are created, distributed, and received, and our team will play a key role in keeping Skydance at the forefront of these changes. We already have plans for the fourth quarter, and I look forward to maintaining our current momentum. As we communicate organizational changes in the coming weeks and months, I ask you to focus on current priorities and responsibilities. Decisions will be communicated thoughtfully and deliberately as we aim to build a world-class organization and work culture focused on high efficiency.
For any questions, I encourage you to visit the Skydance Integration Hub, which will serve as the main source for updates, FAQs, and other information related to the transformation process. There, you will also find a recording of today’s all-hands meeting.
In the coming weeks, I will be visiting our offices to listen to you and draw from your knowledge. We will seek opportunities for creative collaboration — not just within our team but also with partners across the organization, including DTC, Studios, Finance, Advertising Sales, and many others. I am excited about what we will build together: an organization where technical excellence matters, where the best ideas win, and where we can operate at a pace that matches our ambitions. Thank you for your work that has brought us to this point and for all that we will achieve together as we rise upward — let’s get to work!
Best regards,
Dane
