Bobby Kotick and Laurene Powell Jobs Join Skydance Board of Directors

David Ellison has secured two very high-profile additions to the board of directors for his newly-formed entertainment company Skydance.

Investor and philanthropist Laurene Powell Jobs and former Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick have joined the company’s board, Skydance disclosed in a securities filing. Former U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair will become a board adviser.

They join a company that was formed Tuesday in Paramount’s acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery.

“I am delighted to welcome Laurene and Bobby to our Board and honored to have Tony join us as an Advisor,” Ellison said in a statement. “Laurene is a true visionary and one of the great institution builders of our time. Her vision, judgment and unwavering commitment to high-quality journalism and media investments make her a truly exceptional addition to our Board. Through Emerson Collective, she pioneered an innovative model that brings together venture investing and philanthropy to tackle society’s most complex challenges, and she has an extraordinary gift for recognizing bold ideas early and turning them into lasting impact.”

Ellison continued: “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. Tony has led at the highest levels of government, respected for his intellect, strategic vision and ability to bring people together around bold, forward-looking ideas. His global perspective and insight will be invaluable as we turn ambition into results.”

The mogul added: “Together with our other directors, they bring the experience and fresh perspectives we need to build Skydance into an extraordinary company, one that honors the legacies of Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery while setting a bold course for the future. United by a commitment to creative excellence, innovation and long-term shareholder value, this Board will help us empower our teams, strengthen our businesses and deliver exceptional entertainment to audiences around the world.”

Skydance’s board will include:

• David Ellison, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Skydance
• Barbara Byrne, Former Vice Chairman of Barclays PLC (Independent Director)
• Andy Campion, Chairman and CEO of Unrivaled Sports (Independent Director)
• Gerry Cardinale, Founder, Managing Partner, and Chief Investment Officer, RedBird Capital Partners
• Safra A. Catz, Executive Vice Chair and Former CEO, Oracle Corporation
• Andy Gordon, President of Skydance
• Justin G. Hamill, Managing Director and Chief Legal Officer, Silver Lake (Independent Director)
• Lauren Powell Jobs, Founder and President, Emerson Collective (Independent Director)
• Bobby Kotick, Founder and former CEO of Activision (Independent Director)
• Ynon Kreiz, Co-Chief Executive Officer of Skydance
• Sherry Lansing, Former Chairman and CEO of Paramount Pictures (Independent Director)
• Paul Marinelli, President, Lawrence Investments, LLC
• John L. Thornton, Chairman of RedBird Capital Partners