DC Comics will now report to Skydance’s Josh Silverman

The other day, I noted that DC Comic’s place in the Warner Bros. Discovery org chart wasn’t all that clear, with who DC heads Jim Lee and Anne DePies reported to not publicly searchable. With the WarnerMount merger to form Skydance, that mystery has been solved, Variety reports.

DC Comics will now be under Josh Silverman, head of Skydance Products & Publishing, a division which merges the consumer products, licensing, and publishing divisions of WBD and Paramount.  WBD’s consumer products head, Robert Oberschelp, will remain, reporting to Silverman.

In what could be considered good news, Silverman has quite a bit of experience in the IP arena: his previous jobs include stints at Mattel, and notably, Marvel Entertainment where he worked from 2001 until 2011, first as SVP – global business affairs, business development and operations and later as SVP global strategy and business development. He then worked at Disney in global franchise and licensing and Mattel as chief franchise officer (overseeing the Barbie movie boom) before joining Paramount last year. 

Continuing DC’s starring role in the new Skydance, Silverman’s LinkedIn page already gives his title as President, Global Products, Publishing, and DC.  

While it’s early days in the still emerging new studio, I’m told there have already been positive communications where DC Comics is concerned. Certainly having it under an exec with 10 years of Marvel experience means comic books are not a mystery to him, so his Day 1 question will not be “Why are we still publishing these pamphlets?” 

Silverman will certainly have a lot to oversee. With the combined libraries of WBD and Paramount merging, Skydance claims it is “the world’s second-largest media and entertainment licensor with an estimated $22.5 billion in global retail sales,” per Variety. 

DC Comics will come under Silverman’s leadership alongside Paramount Global Publishing, Paramount and WBD licensed publishing, WBD consumer products and Paramount consumer products, as well as brand partnerships, retail and e-commerce, and other commercial initiatives across the company’s portfolio of brands.

Their vast holdings include everything from Matter Eater Lad to Peter Potamus to Hey Arnold, so again, it is a big job.

Variety included Silverman’s memo to staffers sent went the deal closed, which gave star treatment to the DC team yet again (bolded below.)

Today marks a historic milestone, the first day of our new company, Skydance, and our organization, Skydance Products & Publishing. I want to welcome you and share some information about the road ahead.

I am honored to lead this division, bringing together Consumer Products, Publishing, and DC, and look forward to getting to know you.

The combination of Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery creates a next generation tech-forward global media and entertainment company with endless opportunity. It also represents significant change. I recognize that many of you have questions about what comes next. Please know your day-to-day work and processes won’t change immediately. We are beginning the integration process which will be approached thoughtfully. I am committed to keeping you informed and sharing updates as soon as possible.

What is already clear is the tremendous talent across our organization and our shared mission to deepen and extend our fans’ emotional connection to our iconic brands and franchises through high-quality products and stories. Through our globally connected ecosystem, partnerships and world-class storytelling and world-building, your work brings our brands to life and plays an important role in the company’s success.

I want to recognize Robert Oberschelp and the Warner Bros. Discovery Consumer Products team and the strong foundation they have built.

I also want to welcome Anne DePies, Jim Lee and all of DC and celebrate the incredible way they have continued to engage audiences for generations.

I look forward to working with Robert, Anne and Jim and their respective teams as we unite the strengths of both studios, create new opportunities for our partners, and unlock new ways to connect with fans who remain at the heart of everything we do.

As you heard in this morning’s global Town Hall, David and Ynon are very clear on the vision, mission, and strategic priorities for Skydance. If you were unable to join, I encourage you to watch the replay available on the Skydance Integration Hub, which will serve as a go-tough this transition