Skydance’s Paramount Acquisition: David Ellison Announces New Board Directors
David Ellison has revealed the proposed lineup of 10 new board directors for Paramount Global, as the landmark Skydance acquisition approaches its final stages this week. Ellison himself will step into the role of chairman and CEO of the revamped Paramount studio.
Key Leadership Appointments
Among the notable appointments, former Paramount Pictures chief Sherry Lansing will join as an independent director, alongside Oracle Corp CEO Safra A. Catz. Barbara Byrne, previously vice chairman of Barclays PLC, stands as the sole continuing member from the previous board, maintaining her position as an independent director.
New Organizational Structure
The restructured Paramount will operate across three main segments:
- Studios
- Direct-to-consumer
- TV media
Additional Board Members
The comprehensive board lineup includes several prominent figures from media, technology, and finance sectors, many of whom hold stakes in the merged entity:
- Gerry Cardinale – Founder and Managing Partner, RedBird Capital Partners
- John L. Thornton – Chairman, RedBird Capital Partners
- Andy Gordon – Incoming Chief Strategy Officer and COO
- Jeff Shell – Future Paramount President
- Justin G. Hamill – Managing Director and Chief Legal Officer, Silver Lake
- Paul Marinelli – President, Lawrence Investments LLC
Executive Leadership Changes
Former NBCUniversal CEO Jeff Shell will assume the role of president at the new Paramount. Andy Gordon, previously heading RedBird Capital’s Los Angeles office, will join the executive team. RedBird Capital serves as a key financial partner in supporting the Skydance acquisition.
Statement from David Ellison
“We are thrilled and honored to welcome this truly outstanding group of director-designees to our Board,” Ellison stated. “These highly qualified, world-class executives share in our commitment and will play a critical role in guiding the future direction of our combined company. The legacy of Paramount is one of our greatest strategic assets, and it is our strong desire and fiduciary duty to honor that history while positioning the business for sustained value creation.”