Shauna Spenley, former marketing executive at Netflix, 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 leave’ Warner Bros. Discovery, but will remain with the company until the fall to “assist with the transition,” the company announced on Tuesday. Spenley will join WBD on September 3, reporting to JB Perrette, CEO and president, global streaming and games at Warner Bros. Discovery.
Spenley comes to WBD from Riot Games, where she served as Global President of Entertainment and led Riot’s expansion into film, TV and music, as well as overseeing Riot’s IP strategy and consumer products teams. Before joining Riot in 2021, she was VP of marketing and publicity at Netflix, where she served in various senior leadership roles for 15 years.
At Warner Bros. Discovery, Spenley will oversee the global marketing organization responsible for subscription growth for the company’s streaming platforms, including Max and Discovery+. In this role, she will 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, particularly US networks and international teams, the company said.
“I have been a subscriber and fan of Max since its launch,” Spenley said in a statement from Warner Bros. Discovery. “The incredible range of content is unparalleled in the industry, including television’s most prestigious brand… HBO. I can’t wait to jump in and get started with JB, Casey [Bloys, chairman and CEO, HBO and Max content] and the marketing group.”
Spagnoletto previously served as EVP and chief marketing officer for Hulu before joining Discovery Inc. in early 2021. joined as global CMO for the company’s direct-to-consumer operations. After Discovery’s acquisition of WarnerMedia, he became CMO of Warner Bros.’ streaming group. Discovery. “I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity WBD has given me and proud of the momentum we have built around Max,” Spagnoletto said in a statement. “While this is just the beginning for Max, it is a great transition and I am confident that Shauna and the incredible team here will succeed in making Max a top entertainment destination around the world.”
Announcing Spenley’s appointment, Perrette said: ‘We are so fortunate to be able to bring in a talent of Shauna’s caliber and it says a lot about our achievements, our assets and our team, and the opportunities ahead, that she can’t wait . to strengthen our One WBD team.” He also praised Spagnoletto’s “countless contributions to both Warner Bros. Discovery and Discovery before it.”