Melissa Zukerman has unveiled the senior leadership structure for the combined Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery communications operation, placing four executives at the center of the post-merger team while confirming the departure of seven senior communications figures.

Zukerman, Skydance’s Chief Communications Officer and a member of the company’s CEO Corporate and Business Leadership teams, detailed the changes in an internal memo. The organization will be led by Laura Watson, Shannon Buck, Virginia Fout and Deborah Marcus, with additional communications executives connected to the leadership team through their respective business units.

The overhaul is designed to support the priorities established by Skydance co-CEOs David Ellison and Ynon Kreiz: building Skydance into a leading Hollywood content operation and home for storytellers, accelerating an integrated direct-to-consumer platform, and optimizing the company’s linear television portfolio anchored by CBS.

“Our job in Communications is to help move that strategy forward,” Zukerman wrote, pointing to the need to tell the stories of the company’s creatives, technologists and business leaders while addressing their “triumphs, their progress and, yes, their challenges.”

Four Executives Form the Core Leadership Team

Watson, who has served as Zukerman’s deputy, has been named EVP, Head of Corporate, Executive and Strategic Communications. Her responsibilities cover strategic and internal communications, enterprise messaging, executive communications and speechwriting.

Buck becomes EVP, Corporate Communications and Media Relations after most recently leading communications for Paramount+. Paramount’s former head of communications for direct-to-consumer became available after the Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery streaming operations were placed under HBO and HBO Max executives Casey Bloys and JB Perrette.

In her new position, Buck will work with the company’s businesses to develop and raise the profile of key stories across direct-to-consumer, advertising, marketing and distribution. Her remit also includes identifying the platforms, talent and voices best suited to communicate those stories.

Fout joins Skydance as EVP, Global and Executive Events after running her own events company. She will oversee global events, hospitality and executive hosting, with responsibility for reflecting the company’s brand, voice and priorities across major events and engagements.

Marcus remains focused on corporate responsibility as SVP, Head of CSR. Zukerman credited her with turning CSR from a traditional giving operation into a wider platform for engagement, storytelling and social impact. Marcus most recently launched the “Ebenezer No Kid Hungry” campaign and is developing a companywide Season of Giving involving the organization’s employees and brands.

Seven Senior Communications Executives Depart

The restructuring also brings significant turnover. Joe Libonati, who worked closely with Zukerman on communications throughout the merger process, is leaving the organization.

He is joined by Warner Bros. Discovery executives Arielle Falkowitz, SVP Corporate Relations & Events; Megan Klein, SVP Corporate Communications; Adrienne O’Hara, EVP, Chief Communications & Public Affairs Officer; and Dennis Williams, SVP of Corporate Responsibility.

Also departing are Paramount’s Karen Shosfy, SVP Corporate Communications, and Skydance’s Heather Wagoner, SVP Internal Communications, Creative and Brand.

Zukerman thanked all seven executives for their partnership and contributions. In the memo, she acknowledged that assembling the new operation required difficult decisions about its organization, working methods and areas of focus.

A New Direct-to-Market Communications Function

The redesigned model places a central Corporate Communications function in charge of enterprise and executive communications while maintaining teams embedded within individual businesses. Zukerman said that structure had already been tested at Paramount and was intended to keep communications close to business operations while promoting companywide coordination.

Skydance is also launching a Direct to Market function. The initiative will expand executive storytelling across the company’s owned-and-operated platforms while exploring additional channels and formats that allow it to communicate directly with targeted audiences.

Zukerman emphasized that the initiative would not diminish traditional communications, publicity or relationships with journalists. She called for the team to be accessible, responsive, candid and grounded in facts.

Chris Ender, Brooke Robertson and Jeff Cusson — the communications leads for Skydance TV, Studios and direct-to-consumer, respectively — will have dotted-line relationships with Zukerman’s leadership team. The communications organization will also work with Games & Experiences, Consumer Products, Government Relations, News and Sports.

ShowBiz Take

This is more than a new list of executive titles. Zukerman is establishing how the combined communications operation will function across corporate messaging, media relations, events, social responsibility and individual business units.

The structure directly mirrors the company’s stated priorities. Buck’s remit includes direct-to-consumer, advertising, marketing and distribution; Fout will use events to present a consistent corporate identity; Marcus will connect social-impact work with content and broader storytelling; and Watson will oversee the enterprise and executive messaging tying those areas together.

At the same time, the seven confirmed departures underline the scale of the organizational change. The post-merger communications group is being built around centralized leadership, embedded business teams and a greater emphasis on reaching audiences through Skydance’s own platforms.

What Happens Next?

The leadership buildout is not finished. Zukerman said Skydance plans to add dedicated leaders for Financial Communications and Product and Technology Communications.

Those future appointments are expected to strengthen communications around areas including AI tools for filmmakers and creatives, as well as advertising sales. No names or timing for the additional hires were announced.