Business · Companies · 4 hrs ago
Skydance names leaders for its combined advertising business
Skydance has named leaders for its combined advertising business after its merger with Warner Bros.
Discovery.
The $110 billion merger was completed this month, bringing brands including Paramount, HBO, CBS and CNN into Skydance's portfolio.
Jay Askinasi, Skydance's chief revenue officer for advertising, shared the new leadership structure in a staff memo.
The team will oversee sales, ad partnerships, operations, marketing and product strategy in the United States.
Steve Ellis will remain chief operating officer for advertising and integration lead, while Lee Sears will continue to lead Paramount's international advertising business.
The company has not settled the structure for Warner Bros.
Discovery's international advertising business, saying executives are still evaluating it.
Askinasi said the organization aims for clearer responsibilities and faster decisions, and two Warner Bros.
Discovery ad executives will continue to work with him through the fourth quarter.
Skydance has named leaders for its combined advertising business following its merger with Warner Bros. Discovery.
The new organization will include leaders for US sales, ad partnerships, revenue operations, media labs, ad marketing, and product strategy and measurement.
Steve Ellis will remain chief operating officer for advertising and lead integration.
Lee Sears will continue to lead international advertising at Paramount while executives assess the structure for Warner Bros. Discovery’s international business.
Jay Askinasi said the organization would have clear ownership, fewer layers, and leaders close to the work.
- Who
- Skydance announced the leadership team. Jay Askinasi, its chief revenue officer for advertising, outlined the changes.
- What
- Skydance named leaders for its combined advertising business after the Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger.
- When
- The announcement followed the merger’s completion this month. The memo was reported on October 23, 2026.
- Where
- Not stated
- Why
- Askinasi said the structure would organize around how clients plan and buy, elevate strong intellectual property and creative capabilities, and support faster decisions.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Skydance completed its $110 billion merger with Warner Bros. Discovery.
Business Insider reported on Askinasi’s memo announcing the advertising leadership structure.
- Merger value
- $110 billion
- Head of US sales
- Danielle Carney
- Head of ad partnerships
- Jill Steinhauser
- Chief operating officer for advertising
- Steve Ellis
- International advertising at Paramount
- Lee Sears
What people are saying
This team reflects how we intend to work: with clear ownership, fewer layers, and leaders who are close to the work.
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.