Diana Marszalek 18 Jun 2024 // 3:48PM GMT
NEW YORK — Former Obama aide and McDonald’s chief comms officer Robert Gibbs is joining Warner Bros. Discovery as CCO and public affairs officer.
In the newly created role, Gibbs, who most recently served as a Bully Pulpit International partner, will oversee WBD's corporate and business communications as well as public affairs. He will officially assume the role on August 5 and report to CEO David Zaslav.
"At this transformative time in our industry, Robert is the right leader to assume this new, critical global role, as we continue to grow the Warner Bros. Discovery brand and presence around the world," said Zaslav. "Robert is an insightful and respected leader with experience spanning Fortune 500 companies, the White House, and winning political campaigns. He will be an invaluable part of the team as we create the most captivating stories and content for consumers around the world. I am thrilled to welcome him to WBD."
Gibbs brings to WBD experience gleaned from a series of high-profile jobs, including serving as President Barack Obama’s press secretary during his first term, then as senior campaign advisor during his re-election campaign.
After the White House, Gibbs joined McDonald’s in 2015 to lead its corporate relations function, which has historically housed corporate and external communications and government relations. The outside perspective he brought to McDonald’s as it strives to be a modern, progressive burger company earned him a spot on PRovoke Media’s Influence 100.
Gibbs joined BP in 2020, six months after leaving McDonald’s amid corporate restructuring.
“Whether behind the White House press podium or in a Fortune 200 c-suite, it’s no secret Robert is an unparalleled communicator, strategist, and leader,” said BPI president Andrew Bleeker. “Robert helped top organizations not just adapt to, but lead through, the enormous changes of the last four years. BPI is tremendously grateful to have had his leadership and expertise on our team, and we look forward to his continuous support as an advisor. Our team wishes him all the best in this exciting new chapter.”
Gibbs is joining WBD at a high-profile time for the company, which was created by the merger of WarnerMedia and Discovery roughly two years ago. WBD had been in discussions with Paramount about merging the two companies, but those talks stopped earlier this year.
Lazlo told Variety that he sees “opportunities” in M&A over the next three or so years. WBD revenue, however, dropped 4% in 2023.