Warner Bros. Discovery has announced the appointment of Shauna Spenley as the new global chief marketing officer of direct-to-consumer, taking over from Patrizio (Pato) Spagnoletto on September 3rd. Spenley, a former Netflix marketing executive, will be responsible for overseeing the marketing organization for Max and Discovery+. Her role will encompass branding, content marketing, subscriber retention and engagement, marketing science, research, and media.
Spenley expressed her excitement about joining the Warner Bros. Discovery team, stating that she believes they are well-positioned to capitalize on the recent momentum of Max and grow it to become a top global streamer. She will report to JB Perrette, the CEO and president of global streaming and games at Warner Bros.
Prior to joining Warner Bros. Discovery, Spenley served as the president of entertainment at Riot Games, where she oversaw the studio’s expansion into film, television, and music. She also held various senior leadership roles at Netflix for 15 years, including vice president of marketing and publicity.
JB Perrette praised Spenley’s expertise and achievements, stating that she will be a valuable asset to the team. He expressed confidence in Spenley and the entire team to deliver outstanding results as they move forward together.
Meanwhile, Patrizio Spagnoletto, who played a major role in spearheading Max’s original market strategy, will remain with the company through the fall to assist in the transition. Perrette commended Spagnoletto for his contributions and leadership, stating that he will be missed.
In addition to her responsibilities at Warner Bros. Discovery, Spenley will work closely with other divisions of the company, particularly with U.S. networks and international teams, to leverage their assets. The company’s streaming platforms, Max and Discovery+, combine popular channels and Discovery TV brands such as HGTV, the Food Network, TLC, and Magnolia Network.
Overall, Warner Bros. Discovery’s appointment of Shauna Spenley as global chief marketing officer signifies the company’s commitment to driving subscription growth across its streaming platforms. With Spenley’s expertise and experience in the industry, coupled with the strong momentum of Max, Warner Bros. Discovery aims to establish itself as a top global streamer.
