Fuentes Departs As Head of Global Communications Studios & Networks Group At Warner Bros. Discovery
Warner Bros. Discovery’s Johanna Fuentes is leaving as Head of Global Communications for Studios and Networks Group after a transitional period. The departure is a result of a decision to decentralize the communications functions of the recently formed Warner Bros. Discovery whose communications teams will be announced later.
Fuentes started with Warner Bros. in May 2020 as EVP Worldwide Corporate Communications, and three months later, upon the founding of the WarnerMedia Studios and Networks Group, was elevated to Head of Global Communications for the group. In her role, she navigated major divisional realignments, key executive changes, multi-faceted talent deals, the company’s strategic focus behind HBO Max, the launch of day-and-date theatrical releases across Warner Bros. Pictures and HBO Max, and the introduction of industry-defining new business models. Additionally, she led the Studios and Networks Group’s internal and external messaging related to the pandemic.
She was hired by former Warner Bros. CEO Ann Sarnoff (who later became CEO of Studios and Networks), who stepped down after the Discovery merger was completed. She then dual reported to Christy Haubegger, Chief Enterprise Inclusion Officer and Head of Communications, at WarnerMedia.
Her purview included oversight of the communications function of all content teams across the Studios and Networks Group, including the Warner Bros. Pictures Group, HBO and HBO Max, the Warner Bros. Television Group, DC, kids/young adults/classics (Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Boomerang, Turner Classic Movies, Cartoon Network Studios, WB Animation), TBS, TNT, truTV, Wizarding World, consumer products, studio operations, brand and experiences and gaming. She also served as the primary communications liaison between the content divisions and parent company WarnerMedia and AT&T.
She championed the company’s equity and inclusion efforts across the Studios and Networks Group, and worked with that EI team and other business functions to ensure the Studios and Networks Group’s content, messaging, outreach and talent partners continue to evolve to make the company reflective and representative of the global audience it serves.