Last of Paramount Co-CEO triumvirate signs off
Last of Paramount Co-CEO triumvirate signs off
Brian Robbins Calls Paramount-Skydance Merger ‘Bittersweet’ in Memo to Staff Amid His Exit as Co-CEO
Variety reports that “Brian Robbins Calls Paramount-Skydance Merger ‘Bittersweet’ in Memo to Staff Amid His Exit as Co-CEO”
David Ellison, the founder of Skydance, will become chairman and CEO of Paramount. Andy Gordon, who leads the West Coast office of RedBird Capital Partners, is set to take the role of chief operating officer and chief strategic officer. RedBird teamed with Skydance to acquire Paramount Global for $8.5 billion.
Looking at how Paramount, since 2021, has failed to deliver on a new Star Trek movie, arguably wound down three successful shows prematurely, it’s difficult to see that this leadership team has done well by the franchise.
Looking at the apparent expeditious compromises Paramount leadership and Shari Redstone were willing to make to clear the way for the sale, I’m willing to look forward to see what comes next.
From a Star Trek fan's perspective, it's interesting that only of the three co-CEOs who's staying with the company, and he oversees CBS Studios, which produces all Trek series.
At the same time, the new ownership has resurrected Paramount TV as a separate division. It's supposed to be the home of streaming services, so there's a chance they'll decide to move the franchise over there, in which case there will be a new boss to deal with.
We'll probably get some clarity in the near-ish future...
I’m wondering about the information that one of Co-CEOs is staying on in another role. Can you provide a source?
This Variety article says:
For sure - the remaining former co-CEO is George Cheeks, who will be "Chair of TV Media."
His focus is supposed to be focused on linear TV, but Star Trek remains under his watch for now (though the article says, "the decisions are expected to be made on a case-by-case basis, with [Paramount Television co-chair Dana] Goldberg and Cheeks currently in discussions about where the different pieces would land."
Since the deal officially closes tomorrow, and today was mostly focused on the exits, I would imagine we're going to start seeing news about the future plans soon.
Edit: And if Cheeks sounds familiar, it may be because his name is amongst those on the wall in the recent Starfleet Academy trailer.