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Paramount–Warner’s combined company will be called Skydance

David Ellison chose Skydance as the corporate name for the company combining Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery. The studio brands will retain their own identities. Announced on 2 October before the merger was completed, the change accompanies a planned switch in the stock ticker from PSKY to SKYD on 6 October. The approximately 110 billion dollar deal is expected to be completed next week.

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Two cameras and studio lights on a shared film soundstage.

Ellison chooses a corporate name above the studio brands

David Ellison, chief executive of Paramount Skydance, announced on 2 October that the company combining Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery will be called Skydance after the merger is completed. He made the announcement in a social-media post. Ellison said he wanted the combined company to have an identity of its own while preserving the histories and identities of both studios. The Paramount and Warner Bros. brands are intended to remain prominent within the new corporate structure.[1], [2]

A video accompanying the announcement featured films, programmes and other properties belonging to the companies. The brands highlighted included DC, the comics and screen-entertainment brand; the streaming services HBO Max and Paramount+; Nickelodeon; CBS; and CNN. Ellison said the new structure would support the studios’ growth and help bring their work to broader audiences. Those aims form part of his stated rationale for choosing the corporate identity.[1]

The ticker change is planned for 6 October

A securities filing made on Friday said the stock ticker would change from PSKY to SKYD beginning on Tuesday, 6 October. The approximately 110 billion dollar Paramount–Warner Bros. Discovery merger had not officially closed when the name was announced. Completion was expected the following week after a settlement of the antitrust lawsuit brought by California attorney general Rob Bonta and 11 other state attorneys general. Other domestic and international regulatory hurdles had previously been cleared. The naming announcement therefore preceded the completion of the transaction.[1]

Skydance returns to the name Ellison founded

Ellison founded Skydance Productions in 2006. The business took the name Skydance Media in 2020 and became Paramount Skydance Corporation after last year’s merger with Paramount Global and National Amusements. The new naming choice returns Skydance to the leading corporate position. Ellison had also begun changing the combined leadership team before completion. HBO chief executive Casey Bloys was selected to run Paramount+ and HBO Max, while Paramount streaming head Cindy Holland left on Tuesday. Mattel chief executive Ynon Kreiz is to join as co-chief executive; Warner Bros. film chiefs Mike De Luca and Pam Abdy are expected to depart.[1]

References

  1. News sourceTheWrapCombined Paramount-Warner Bros. to Be Called Skydance, David Ellison Reveals↩1↩2↩3↩4
  2. News sourceMediaiteEllison chooses Skydance for merged Paramount–Warner company↩
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