Warner Bros. Discovery exec steps down from role after 14 years

Senior vice president of Warner Bros. Discovery streaming comms section Chris Willard announced his resignation from the position after 14 years working with the HBO team.

As per Variety, Willard was equipped with the duty to oversee the communications strategy for media titans Max and Discovery+ at the company.

"Over 14 remarkable years, I’ve had the privilege to learn and grow my career at a company that has always been on the cutting edge, from its culture-defining programming to its innovative use of emerging technologies to deliver content and extend its stories into the lives of fans around the world," Willard said to the outlet.

"As I take a break to map out the next chapter of my life and my career, I will be forever indebted to the talented, generous colleagues and mentors who have helped usher me along in my journey, and to the best comms team in the business that I’ve been so honored to lead."

He started out as a publicity assistant at HBO in 2009 and worked on many hit series, including Broadwalk Empire and Girls.

He was later transferred to oversee PR and communications for home entertainment and consumer products.

The Los Angeles native was one of the core contributors to the launch of HBO Now in 2015, followed by HBO Max five years later.

Jeff Cusson, head of communications for streaming, HBO/Max programming, and international, described Chris as "one of the most skilled communications strategists in the industry," accrediting him for his successful launch of Max, a combined HBO Max-Discovery+ streaming product.