WarnerMedia names senior communications team

WarnerMedia has given expanded roles to three HBO communications executives, Karen Jones, Ronni Cobern-Basis and Laura Young.

Jones, a 20-plus year HBO Communications executive who most recently served as SVP, media relations, HBO, has been promoted to EVP, communications, HBO. Managing teams in New York and Los Angeles, she will work closely with Casey Bloys, president, HBO Programming and Glenn Whitehead, EVP, HBO Business and Legal Affairs.

Cobern-Basis, a 2-plus year HBO executive who most recently served as SVP, talent relations, HBO, has been promoted to the newly created role of EVP, talent relations, events and Awards, WarnerMedia Entertainment and Direct-To-Consumer. He will be responsible for all talent relations, events and awards activities on behalf of the entire portfolio, spanning HBO, TNT, TBS, truTV and the upcoming HBO Max.
Young, a 20-plus years HBO corporate affairs executive who most recently served as SVP, corporate affairs and regional PR, has been promoted to the role of SVP, corporate communications, WarnerMedia Entertainment and direct-to-consumer, overseeing all corporate and brand communications, marketing PR, digital PR, regional and affiliate communications on behalf of HBO, TNT, TBS, truTV and HBO Max.

All three will report to Kevin Brockman, executive vice president, global communications,
Brockman said “When I arrived here a few months ago, I was struck by the depth and breadth of talent across the entire organization. In crafting our new structure, I focused on creating synergies across the portfolio where I could and tapping the best talent to lead our efforts. Karen, Ronni and Laura are each experts in their fields, wildly respected both internally and externally, and more than deserving of their new roles. Together with the other members of my senior team, and alongside the best teams in the business, I’m sure we’ll continue to set the bar for excellence in communications for years to come.”

The three join Jade Ekstedt, vice president, corporate and Otter Media Communications, Marie Moore, senior vice president, communications, TNT, TBS, truTV and HBO Max, Anna Nicoll, senior vice president, corporate affairs and international publicity, WarnerMedia Entertainment and Direct-To-Consumer; and Ray Stallone, senior vice president, HBO Sports Communications on the senior communications team.