Skydance adds Kotick, Powell Jobs to board, Blair adviser

Skydance Corp. appointed former Activision CEO Bobby Kotick and Emerson Collective founder Laurene Powell Jobs as independent directors, and former UK prime minister Tony Blair as a board adviser.

By Felo News Desk · Published Tue, 06 Oct 2026 23:14:12 GMT

Skydance Corp. announced that Bobby Kotick and Laurene Powell Jobs have joined its board of directors, while former U.K. prime minister Tony Blair will serve as a board adviser, according to a securities filing and company statements released on Tuesday.

What happened

The entertainment company, created from the merger of Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery, disclosed that the two high‑profile figures were added as independent directors. David Ellison, Skydance chairman and CEO, confirmed the appointments in a statement. The filing also noted that Ynon Kreiz, who became co‑CEO earlier in the week, is joining the board.

What the reports add

Variety identified Powell Jobs as the founder and president of Emerson Collective and highlighted the firm’s blend of venture investing and philanthropy, noting its majority stake in The Atlantic.
The Hollywood Reporter emphasized that Powell Jobs pioneered a model that merges venture capital with charitable work to tackle complex global challenges.
Both outlets reported that Ellison praised Kotick’s three‑decade tenure at Activision, calling his experience in “building enduring franchises and connecting with fans” essential for the newly merged entity.

What was said

“I am delighted to welcome Laurene and Bobby to our Board and honored to have Tony join us as an adviser,” Ellison said, as quoted by Variety and The Hollywood Reporter.

Ellison described Powell Jobs as “a true visionary and one of the great institution builders of our time,” adding that her “vision, judgment and unwavering commitment to high‑quality journalism and media investments make her a truly exceptional addition to our board.”

Regarding Kotick, Ellison said, “Bobby led a global entertainment company through three decades of sustained growth, and he brings real perspective on building enduring franchises and connecting with fans. His record of pairing bold strategic moves with disciplined capital allocation is exactly the experience we need as we bring our businesses together.”

How it came about

The board changes follow Skydance’s formation after the Paramount‑Warner Bros. Discovery merger, which closed on October 6, 2026, creating the new company referenced in Felo’s earlier coverage of the merger (Tony Gilroy warns Paramount‑Warner merger will ruin mid‑budget filmmaking). The addition of high‑profile directors aligns with Skydance’s strategy to bolster its leadership as it expands its entertainment portfolio.

Key facts

Bobby Kotick and Laurene Powell Jobs were appointed to Skydance's board of directors. (variety.com)
Former UK prime minister Tony Blair will serve as a board adviser to Skydance. (hollywoodreporter.com)
David Ellison, Skydance chairman and CEO, issued a statement welcoming the new directors and adviser. (variety.com)