David Zaslav has finally found a replacement for Nathaniel Brown. Warner Bros. Discovery has named former Obama White House flack Robert Gibbs to oversee corporate and business communications and public affairs, TheWrap has learned.
Gibbs will officially assume the role on Aug. 5 and report directly to Zaslav.
“I couldn’t be happier to join Warner Bros. Discovery and to help tell the incredible stories of so many iconic brands across entertainment, news and sports,” Gibbs said in a statement. “I’m particularly excited to work with the global team to fully and clearly capture WBD’s vision and communicate the meaningful growth potential in front of us. I am looking forward to getting started and being a part of this world-class organization.”
The 53-year-old brings with him significant political ties, particularly within the Democratic Party. Best known as Barack Obama’s first White House Press Secretary, a job he held from 2009 to ’11, he had worked for Obama since 2004. Before that, he was press secretary for John Kerry’s failed presidential campaign. After leaving the White House, Gibbs served as a senior adviser on Obama’s 2012 reelection campaign.
Outside of politics, Gibbs joined Yelp’s board of directors in 2012 and, in 2013, co-founded The Incite Agency, a strategic communications company, with Ben LaBolt. He left in 2015 to serve as chief communications officer for McDonald’s until 2019, when he left to become senior counsel for Bully Pulpit Interactive.
“At this transformative time in our industry, Robert is the right leader to assume this new, critical global role as we continue to grow the Warner Bros. Discovery brand and presence around the world,” Zaslav added. “Robert is an insightful and respected leader with experience spanning Fortune 500 companies, the White House and winning political campaigns. He will be an invaluable part of the team as we create the most captivating stories and content for consumers around the world. I am thrilled to welcome him to WBD.”
Brown, who had served as Warner Bros. Discovery’s head of communications since the merger that created the company, announced his resignation in January. Prior to that, he served in the same role at Discovery.
“I realize there is never a perfect or easy time to make such a transition, but the start of the new year feels as good as any. These last several years have been fast and unforgettable… I’ve had the incredible opportunity to work alongside [WBD CEO David Zaslav] as part of his leadership team and it has been an extraordinary ride, particularly these last few years as DZ has architected Discovery’s acquisition of WarnerMedia and established Warner Bros. Discovery,” Brown wrote at the time.
The news was first reported by The Hollywood Reporter.
