CNN set to recruit (another) new frontman, Mark Thompson, to Twisty Warner tenure

Warner Bros. Discovery should appoint Mark Thompson, a former New York Times Co. and BBC leader who has shown a knack for guiding media into digital realms as the latest executive to oversee CNN, according to a person familiar with the matter. setting up the fifth executive structure around the information giant since the beginning of 2022.

Thompson's name popped up just a few days ago as someone who might be " in the mix" to lead CNN. , which has been under the umbrella of four senior executives since the June ouster of Chris Licht, a popular TV producer whose tenure at the channel has been marred by a series of unsuccessful staff moves to gain ground in terms of audience. His arrival surprises many insiders who thought CNN's parent company was ready to let go of a quarter of senior executives - Amy Entelis, Virginia Moseley, Eric Sherling, all CNN veterans, and David Leavy, a longtime adviser to the CEO. from Warner Bros. Discovery, David Zaslav. , who was hired to manage the business affairs.

CNN staff expects Warner Bros. Discovery can announce the decision to hire Thompson as soon as possible. like Wednesday. A spokesperson for Warner Bros. Discovery did not respond to requests for comment. Thompson was first suggested as a candidate by Semafor, and Puck announced Tuesday night that he is expected to be named CNN's chief operating officer.

To Thompson, Warner Bros. Discovery is no doubt hoping to have found someone who can stick around for at least a little while. CNN and its rivals are entering the run-up to the 2024 presidential election, a time that typically brings larger audiences, larger ratings, and the ad dollars that often follow those elements. CNN has been struggling with ratings declines for months, and little action by anyone at the channel has reversed that situation.

His rise could shake CNN's employee base, which has seen a rapid succession of teams management attempt to rectify the situation. ship since the ousting of former CNN executive Jeff Zucker. Zucker presided over an era of big profits and high notoriety by encouraging presenters and correspondents to take a more militant attitude on air, especially under the Trump administration.

More to come….

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