Skydance Media has officially announced the executive leadership team poised to steer the combined company following the completion of its anticipated merger with Paramount Global. This strategic move marks a major turning point in Hollywood, as the merged entity looks to reshape the landscape of entertainment with a powerhouse team of seasoned industry veterans across film, television, streaming, and technology.
The newly structured company will focus on three core business segments: Studios, Direct-to-Consumer, and TV Media. Together, these divisions will form the foundation of what Skydance CEO David Ellison calls "a bold vision for a new Paramount."
David Ellison will assume the role of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. The founder of Skydance Media, Ellison has produced blockbuster hits including Top Gun: Maverick and helped build Skydance into a global content powerhouse. He describes the leadership lineup as "world-class," chosen specifically to drive innovation, elevate creative and technical collaboration, and unlock Paramount's full potential.
Joining him at the top is Jeff Shell, former NBCUniversal CEO, who will serve as President. Shell brings decades of experience overseeing major media operations and will be responsible for day-to-day management.
Andy Gordon will serve as both Chief Strategy Officer and Chief Operating Officer. A former Goldman Sachs executive and RedBird Capital Partner, Gordon will focus on corporate strategy, operational scalability, and long-term growth.
The company will also feature focused leadership across its business segments:
George Cheeks will lead as Chair of TV Media, continuing his stewardship over CBS, BET Studios, and Paramount's cable networks.
Dana Goldberg and Josh Greenstein will serve as Co-Chairs of Paramount Pictures. Goldberg will also chair Paramount Television, while Greenstein takes on the added role of Vice Chair of Platforms.
Cindy Holland, a former Netflix executive, will head the Direct-to-Consumer division, overseeing Paramount+ and Pluto TV.
Supporting these top executives are Stephanie Kyoko McKinnon, General Counsel and Acting Chief Legal Officer; Jim Sterner, Chief People Officer; Melissa Zukerman, Chief Communications Officer; and Andrew Warren, who will remain in place as Interim Chief Financial Officer.
Each executive brings a distinct mix of experience and leadership. Ellison, as the founder of Skydance, is credited with building one of the industry's most versatile content studios, with hits spanning film, TV, animation, and sports; Shell led NBCUniversal through a significant period of expansion and digital transformation, overseeing a vast portfolio of news, sports, and entertainment brands; Gordon boasts 35 years of investment banking and media leadership experience and has long advised some of the entertainment industry's most iconic companies; Cheeks, a Harvard-educated legal expert and former NBC executive, helped transform CBS into a dual force for broadcast and streaming content; Goldberg and Greenstein collectively bring decades of creative production and franchise-building experience, with credits ranging from Mission: Impossible and The Old Guard to Spider-Man: No Way Home and Interstellar; Holland played a pivotal role in shaping Netflix's original content strategy and is regarded as a key driver behind its golden era of streaming hits like Stranger Things and The Queen's Gambit.
This leadership announcement comes at a critical time for the entertainment sector, where streaming growth, franchise IP, and global content delivery are reshaping business models. The Skydance-Paramount merger is seen as a major consolidation that blends traditional Hollywood legacy with new-age media ambition.
In his statement, Ellison emphasized the company's dual focus on innovation and storytelling: "Together, we will foster an environment where creative and technical talent collaborate seamlessly, marrying leading technologies with powerful storytelling."
As the merger approaches completion, all eyes will be on how this leadership team navigates the challenges ahead, from evolving consumer behaviors to increased competition in the digital streaming space. But with this deep bench of expertise and a clear three-pronged operational structure, the new Paramount appears poised to make a bold play for industry leadership.