David Zaslav, the CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery, is on the brink of appointing a new chief publicist after a six-month search to replace Nathaniel Brown, the former chief communications officer. Brown’s sudden departure left a significant void, especially as the company grapples with negative press surrounding Zaslav’s substantial pay package and the potential loss of NBA broadcasting rights.
The new publicist, described as a “big name out of the box,” is expected to bring political experience to the role. An insider at Warner Bros. Discovery hinted that the new hire would be similar to Geoff Morrell, the former Disney communications chief, but clarified it would not be Morrell himself. In the interim, Zaslav has been consulting with external PR experts and relying on Katie Martin Kelley, the EVP of Communications for Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group, who has been handling the role temporarily.
Zaslav and Brown had previously clashed over several issues, including Zaslav’s decision to host a lavish party in Cannes with Graydon Carter, the former Vanity Fair editor, during the writers’ strike. Despite Brown’s warnings about the negative optics, Zaslav went ahead with the event, which celebrated Warner Bros.’ 100th anniversary. This year, the Cannes event was more subdued, hosted by Warner Bros. Film Group CEOs Michael DeLuca and Pamela Abdy, with Zaslav and Carter notably absent.
The search for a new publicist comes at a critical time for Zaslav, who has faced a series of public relations challenges. Recently, a GQ article critical of Zaslav was taken down shortly after publication, reportedly due to pressure from Zaslav’s team. The article had labeled Zaslav as “public enemy number one in Hollywood,” a description that did not sit well with his camp. GQ’s Editor-In-Chief Will Welch, who is producing a Warner Bros. movie, was involved in the decision to remove the article, raising questions about a conflict of interest.
The incident has sparked a debate about journalistic ethics and transparency. Critics argue that Welch should have recused himself from the decision-making process due to his ties with Warner Bros. The removal of the article has also been seen as an example of the Streisand Effect, where attempts to suppress information only draw more attention to it.
Zaslav’s public image has taken several hits recently, including his involvement in the writers’ strike and his decisions regarding former CNN head Chris Licht. The GQ incident has only added to the perception that Zaslav is thin-skinned and insecure, further complicating his public relations strategy.
As Warner Bros. Discovery continues to navigate these challenges, the appointment of a new publicist will be crucial in shaping the company’s narrative and managing Zaslav’s public image. The new hire will need to address not only the immediate PR issues but also work on long-term strategies to restore confidence in the company’s leadership.
In the meantime, Zaslav’s reliance on external PR consultants and the interim support from Katie Martin Kelley highlights the urgency and importance of finding the right person for the job. The new publicist will have to balance the demands of a high-profile CEO with the need to maintain transparency and integrity in the company’s communications.
The upcoming appointment is highly anticipated within the industry, as it will signal Warner Bros. Discovery’s approach to handling its public relations moving forward. With the company’s reputation and Zaslav’s image at stake, the new publicist will have a significant role in steering the company through its current challenges and beyond.
