Having taken control of Warner Bros. Discovery in a deal worth more than $110 billion that has thoroughly reshuffled the deck in Hollywood, Skydance is already starting to show its new face — or at least its new org chart. David Ellison, now at the helm of this vast group devoted to film, TV series and entertainment more broadly, has just bolstered his board with two high-profile names. The first isn't exactly a household name: Laurene Powell Jobs, an investor and philanthropist, we're told. The second, though, we know all too well, especially in the games world, since it's none other than Bobby Kotick, the former boss of Activision Blizzard, who has just landed himself a fresh place in the sun. And that's not all: former British Prime Minister Tony Blair is also joining the company, as an adviser.
Bobby Kotick lands at Skydance
Bobby Kotick's arrival at Skydance will inevitably be watched and picked apart, mainly from a video game industry perspective. Hardly surprising when you've run one of the biggest Western games publishers for the best part of three decades. "His experience in building global franchises and his understanding of player communities" (ahem) are said to be a major asset for Skydance, which is now looking to grow its various entertainment arms. David Ellison was notably effusive about him, highlighting his experience running a global entertainment group and his ability to build franchises that last while staying close to their audience (he's not entirely clued up, in our humble opinion). Either way, that expertise could prove important, given that Skydance now has to manage a portfolio of activities that has grown and broadened considerably.
Tony Blair's there too, no joke.
Laurene Powell Jobs, for her part, brings significant experience in media and investment. Through Emerson Collective, she has built a business model that blends investment with philanthropy, with a particular interest in media and new technologies (maybe we should get in touch about screenactu...). David Ellison sees her track record and her knack for spotting new opportunities as a genuine asset for the group. As for Tony Blair, he isn't joining the board directly but becomes an adviser to Skydance. The former British Prime Minister is there to bring his political and international experience to the group as it looks to play a major role in entertainment on a global scale.
These appointments come at a strategic moment for David Ellison, because since the Warner Bros. Discovery takeover his new Skydance entity has a far more powerful group on its hands — and a far more complicated one to run. With $110 billion out the door, the financial stakes are now colossal. The idea for him is to bring the various operations together while continuing to build new franchises and reach ever wider audiences. We wish him 'good luck'.
