Skydance Leaders Confirm Upcoming Layoffs Post Merger

WHO:

Deadline - Skydance has extended and expanded employment agreements for key corporate executives including CEO David Ellison, President Andrew Brandon-Gordon, CFO Dennis Cinelli, and Chief Legal Officer Makan Delrahim.

Variety - David Ellison, chairman and CEO of Skydance, and Ynon Kreiz, co-CEO of Skydance and former chief executive of Mattel, are the leaders notifying staff.

WHAT:

Deadline - Warner Bros. Discovery noted transaction bonuses for several executives as part of the merger.

NO_NEW_FACTS

Variety - Skydance Corp. has officially formed from the merger of Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery.

Variety - Layoffs are confirmed to be forthcoming as a result of the merger.

WHEN:

Variety - The memo regarding layoffs was sent to employees on a Tuesday morning around 9:40.

WHY:

Variety - The layoffs are a consequence of the merger between Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery.

HOW:

Variety - The notification of layoffs was communicated through a memo sent to employees.

(UPDATED October 6, 2026 18:02 UTC)

Skydance has extended and expanded employment agreements for key corporate executives, including CEO David Ellison, President Andrew Brandon-Gordon, CFO Dennis Cinelli, and Chief Legal Officer Makan Delrahim. Meanwhile, Warner Bros. Discovery has announced transaction bonuses for several executives as part of the merger. These developments highlight ongoing changes within major entertainment companies.

--

(UPDATED October 6, 2026 17:06 UTC)

Skydance Corp. has officially formed from the merger of Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery, and this significant change is being communicated to staff by David Ellison, the chairman and CEO, along with co-CEO Ynon Kreiz. As a result of the merger, layoffs are confirmed to be forthcoming, with a memo notifying employees sent out on a Tuesday morning around 9:40. This decision is a direct consequence of the merger between the two entertainment giants.