Leaked memo reveals Skydance's new advertising leadership after the Paramount-WBD merger

• Skydance announced new leadership for its ad business weeks after the Paramount-WBD merger.
• In a memo to staff, Jay Askinasi, chief revenue officer for advertising, named the leadership team.
• The announcement was the latest leadership shake-up following the merger earlier this month.

Skydance has announced new leadership for its combined advertising business following the Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger, according to a memo viewed by Business Insider.

Jay Askinasi, Skydance's chief revenue officer for advertising, outlined the new leadership structure for the "unified Skydance Advertising organization." Following the completion of the $110 billion merger this month, Skydance's portfolio includes Paramount and Paramount+, Warner Bros., HBO and HBO Max, CBS, CNN, and more.

Askinasi said going forward that the leadership team would include:

• Danielle Carney, head of US sales
• Jill Steinhauser, head of ad partnerships
• Christine Hong, head of revenue operations
• Chris Brady, head of Skydance Media Labs
• Ed Romaine, head of ad marketing
• Evan Giamanco, head of product strategy and measurement

Askinasi said Steve Ellis would continue as chief operating officer for advertising, a position he has held at Paramount since 2022, and integration lead. He also said Lee Sears would continue to lead Paramount's international advertising business as part of its leadership team while execs "evaluate the WBD international business and determine the right structure for the new Skydance group."

Askinasi also thanked Ryan Gould, president of ad sales and go-to-market at Warner Bros. Discovery, and Bobby Voltaggio, president of ad sales and platform monetization at Warner Bros. Discovery, and said they would "continue to partner" with him "throughout the fourth quarter."

"This team reflects how we intend to work: with clear ownership, fewer layers, and leaders who are close to the work," Askinasi told staffers in the memo. "We will organize around how clients plan and buy, elevate our strongest IP and creative capabilities, and use shared data and intelligence to make faster, better decisions."

A representative for Skydance did not respond to a request for comment.

Several other leadership moves have been announced since the merger's completion. Another leaked memo on Thursday revealed changes to Skydance's product and tech team, which included the departure of four Warner Bros. Discovery executives.