Variety: Warner Bros Discovery Taps Ex-Netflix Exec Shauna Spenley as Streaming CMO; Patrizio ‘Pato’ Spagnoletto to Exit

Story from Variety:

Shauna Spenley, a former longtime Netflix marketing exec, is joining Warner Bros. Discovery as global chief marketing officer of direct-to-consumer.

Spenley takes over the role from Patrizio “Pato” Spagnoletto, who “has decided to depart” Warner Bros. Discovery but will remain with the company through the fall to “assist in the transition,” the company announced Tuesday. Spenley will start at Warner Bros Discovery on Sept. 3, reporting to JB Perrette, CEO and president, global streaming and games at Warner Bros. Discovery.

Spenley comes to Warner Bros Discovery from Riot Games, where she has served as global president of entertainment and led Riot’s expansion into film, TV and music, as well as overseeing Riot’s IP strategy and consumer products teams. Before joining Riot in 2021, she was VP of marketing and publicity at Netflix, where she spent 15 years in various senior leadership roles.

At Warner Bros. Discovery, Spenley will oversee the global marketing organization responsible for subscription growth for the company’s streaming platforms, including Max and Discovery+. In the role, she will have broad responsibilities across branding, content marketing, subscriber growth, retention and engagement, marketing science, research and media. Spenley will work closely with other Warner Bros Discovery divisions, in particular U.S. networks and international teams, the company said.

“I have been a subscriber and fan of Max since its launch,” Spenley said in a statement provided by Warner Bros. Discovery. “The incredible array of content is unmatched in the industry, including the most prestigious brand in television… HBO. I cannot wait to jump in and get to work with JB, Casey [Bloys, chairman and CEO, HBO and Max content] and the marketing group.”

Spagnoletto was formerly EVP and head of marketing for Hulu before joining Discovery Inc. in early 2021 as global CMO for the company’s direct-to-consumer business. After Discovery’s acquisition of WarnerMedia, he became CMO of Warner Bros. Discovery’s streaming group. “I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity Warner Bros Discovery has given me and proud of the momentum we built around Max,” Spagnoletto said in a statement. “Though this is only the beginning chapter for Max, it is a good transition moment and I have full faith that Shauna and the incredible team here will succeed in making Max a top entertainment destination around the world.”

Perrette, in announcing Spenley’s hire, said, “We are so fortunate to be able to bring in a talent of Shauna’s caliber and it says a lot about our achievements, our assets and team, and opportunity ahead of us that she can’t wait to join our One Warner Bros Discovery Team.” He also praised Spagnoletto’s “innumerable contributions both at Warner Bros. Discovery and Discovery before that.”