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 corporate through the autumn to “assist within the transition,” the corporate announced Tuesday. Spenley will start at WBD on Sept. 3, reporting to JB Perrette, CEO and president, global streaming and games at Warner Bros. Discovery.
Spenley involves WBD from Riot Games, where she has served as global president of entertainment and led Riot’s expansion into film, TV and music, in addition to overseeing Riot’s IP strategy and consumer products teams. Before joining Riot in 2021, she was VP of promoting and publicity at Netflix, where she spent 15 years in various senior leadership roles.
At Warner Bros. Discovery, Spenley will oversee the worldwide marketing organization accountable for subscription growth for the corporate’s streaming platforms, including Max and Discovery+. Within the role, she’s going to have broad responsibilities across branding, content marketing, subscriber growth, retention and engagement, marketing science, research and media. Spenley will work closely with other WBD divisions, specifically U.S. networks and international teams, the corporate said.
“I even have been a subscriber and fan of Max since its launch,” Spenley said in a press release provided by Warner Bros. Discovery. “The incredible array of content is unmatched within the industry, including probably the most prestigious brand in television… HBO. I cannot wait to leap 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 promoting for Hulu before joining Discovery Inc. in early 2021 as global CMO for the corporate’s direct-to-consumer business. After Discovery’s acquisition of WarnerMedia, he became CMO of Warner Bros. Discovery’s streaming group. “I’m incredibly grateful for the chance WBD has given me and happy with the momentum we built around Max,” Spagnoletto said in a press release. “Though this is barely the start chapter for Max, it’s a superb transition moment and I even have full faith that Shauna and the incredible team here will achieve making Max a top entertainment destination all over the world.”
Perrette, in announcing Spenley’s hire, said, “We’re so fortunate to find a way to herald a talent of Shauna’s caliber and it says loads about our achievements, our assets and team, and opportunity ahead of us that she will’t wait to affix our One WBD Team.” He also praised Spagnoletto’s “innumerable contributions each at Warner Bros. Discovery and Discovery before that.”
