Warner Bros. Discovery has hired Robert Gibbs, a former aide to President Barack Obama, as head of communications strategy, the company confirmed Tuesday.
Gibbs will oversee corporate and business communications for WBD and report to the conglomerate’s chief executive officer, David Zaslav.
News of Gibbs’ hiring first broke The Hollywood Reporter Late Monday.
“At this time of transformation in our industry, Robert is the right leader to take on this important new global role as we continue to expand Warner Bros. Discovery’s brand and presence around the world,” Zaslav said in a statement. “Robert is an insightful and respected leader with experience spanning Fortune 500 companies, the White House and winning political campaigns.”
Gibbs served as White House press secretary under the Obama administration from 2009 to 2011, playing a key role in delivering the former president’s messaging on key issues from health care to foreign policy.
After leaving government, Gibbs became McDonald’s communications director, a role he held until 2019.
Gibbs’ hiring comes at a tumultuous time for WBD, which has seen its shares fall in recent weeks amid Wall Street concerns it may lose out on its next round of rights to broadcast NBA games.
Zaslav, like other big media brands, has been struggling with a sluggish advertising market and changing consumer habits and is facing increasing pressure from investors to cut costs.
WBD is also facing internal tensions following reports it plans to cut hundreds of millions of dollars from its streaming budget, cuts that could have a significant impact on some of its biggest properties, including Max, CNN and TNT.
Gibbs will begin his new role at the company in August.
