Warner Bros. Discovery Still Cleaning House: Global Consumer Products And Franchises Executive Pam Lifford And Others Step Down
The merger was only the beginning. Warner Bros. Discovery’s clean-up and overhaul of their whole debt-ridden operation continues with top executives in their global consumer products and franchises division.
President of the corporate unit, Pam Lifford, stepped down some weeks ago to focus on family matters according to Variety. “I couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve accomplished together,” she said in a statement to staff. “Today, the group is poised to take all of this forward with the new leadership across the studio and company. You will soar and make WBD unrivaled in the industry.”
Lifford was replaced effective at the end of last month by Robert Oberschelp, the former head of consumer products in North America. He reports directly to WBD’s chief revenue and strategy officer Bruce Campbell (not the Evil Dead actor), just as DC Studios co-head James Gunn reports directly to CEO David Zaslav.
Responsibility for North American consumer products was given, or soon will be, to the Latin American division overseen by Preston Kevin Lewis. He will also report directly to Oberschelp.
Upon her departure, Campbell said Lifford “brought tremendous value and thought leadership to the company over the years, and while we wish she were staying on, we understand and appreciate the commitment to family first.”
He added, “She put a tremendous team in place, and I look forward to what we will do together.” Campbell’s quest for a new hierarchy isn’t over, however. He and Warner are still looking for a global head of franchise to work closely with Campbell and the senior creative leadership, Variety says.
The company issued a statement saying the new hire “will be responsible for developing the Company’s global IP portfolio across all businesses at WBD, working closely with the respective leadership of Film, Television, Games, and others.”
Aside from Lifford, Julian Moon, a longtime executive in the consumer products Asian Pacific department, made his intentions to retire in 2024 public. However, he will continue into next year for a little while to help Oberschelp and Warner’s leadership coordinate his succession.
The global consumer products and franchises division oversees the management of WBD intellectual properties, theme parks, and DC Comics, so you can imagine what implications this massive corporate shake-up has for the teetering brand that could be sold at a loss one day.
Give us your prediction as to what this shake-up means for DC and the rest of Warner Bros. down below or on social media.
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