Paramount EVP of Communications David Bittler Exits After Skydance Merger

Published in Media and Entertainment on Tuesday, August 26th 2025 at 16:08 GMT by TheWrap
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Paramount Global’s Communications Chief David Bittler to Depart Amid Corporate Restructuring

Paramount Global announced on Thursday that David Bittler, its Executive Vice President of Communications, will step down from the role effective at the end of September. The decision comes as part of a broader shake‑up of the company’s leadership structure following the 2023 re‑branding of the media‑conglomerate and the sale of its film‑distribution arm, Paramount Pictures, to a consortium led by the private‑equity firm CVC Capital Partners.

Bittler’s exit follows a year‑long internal review that identified the need to streamline executive functions and sharpen the company’s messaging strategy as it pivots from a traditional studio‑based business to a streaming‑centric global platform. The company released a brief statement on its website, noting that “David has played an instrumental role in shaping Paramount’s brand narrative during a period of profound transition and will be invaluable as the organization continues to adapt to a rapidly changing media landscape.” The statement also hinted that an internal candidate would be promoted to fill the communications post in the near future.

A Career Spanning Two Decades of Media Messaging

David Bittler has been in the communications trenches for more than twenty years, beginning his career at Turner Broadcasting System as a junior producer before moving on to a senior communications role at CBS. In 2014, he joined Disney as Vice President of Corporate Communications, where he oversaw global media relations for the company’s flagship brands, including Marvel, Pixar, and ESPN. By 2018, he was promoted to Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications, steering the company’s response to a series of high‑profile controversies, from the “Disney+” launch mishap to the “Mickey‑mouse” trademark dispute.

When Paramount Global was formed in 2022, Bittler was appointed Executive Vice President of Communications, tasked with aligning the company’s messaging across its diverse holdings – from Paramount+ to BET+ and the newly launched “Paramount Networks” division. In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Bittler recalled that the most challenging period of his tenure had been the 2023 sale of Paramount Pictures. “We had to reassure investors, employees, and the public that Paramount’s legacy would endure even as the ownership structure changed,” he said. The company’s public relations team, under Bittler’s direction, produced a series of internal videos and external press releases that were praised for their clarity and empathy.

Contributions to Paramount’s Streaming Strategy

Under Bittler’s stewardship, Paramount Global has seen a significant rise in its streaming metrics. The company’s Paramount+ platform added 5 million new subscribers in the first quarter of 2023, a 12% growth rate compared to the same period in 2022. In a joint press release with ViacomCBS, Bittler was cited as a key architect of the “Unified Streaming Platform” strategy that positioned Paramount+ as a direct competitor to Disney+, Netflix, and HBO Max. He also led the “Share the Journey” internal communications initiative that encouraged employees to share success stories on the company’s intranet, fostering a sense of ownership and pride.

Bittler has also been credited with modernizing the company’s crisis‑communication protocols. In 2021, a data‑breach incident involving Paramount+ prompted an immediate public‑relations response that was lauded by industry analysts. “The team acted swiftly, issued a transparent apology, and offered compensation to affected customers,” wrote a Bloomberg report. “The incident did not dent our brand equity in the long term,” the analyst added.

The Road Ahead

Paramount Global’s announcement of Bittler’s departure does not signal a wholesale overhaul of its communications team. Instead, the company is looking to leverage its internal talent pipeline to promote a “communications lead” from within. “We have a strong bench of communications professionals who are already integrated into our global brand strategy,” a spokesperson told TheWrap. The spokesperson declined to name a successor at this time but emphasized that the new communications leader will be expected to continue Bittler’s legacy of transparent, data‑driven messaging while steering the company through the next phase of its streaming expansion.

For Bittler himself, the future remains open. His LinkedIn profile indicates that he has recently been on the advisory board of a venture‑capital firm that invests in media‑tech startups. “I am excited to explore new opportunities in the evolving media landscape and to share my experience with emerging media companies,” Bittler wrote on the platform. He also thanked Paramount Global for the “amazing opportunities” he received during his tenure.

Industry Reactions

Industry commentators have noted that Bittler’s exit underscores the growing importance of communications talent in the post‑studio era. According to a feature in Variety, “As media conglomerates shift to streaming-first models, the role of a communications executive is no longer about brand building alone; it’s about navigating a complex web of regulatory, investor, and consumer expectations.” The article quoted a former communications officer at HBO, who remarked, “In the past, you could rely on a PR firm. Today, you need a seasoned internal voice that understands the nuances of global streaming.”

Meanwhile, shareholders of Paramount Global expressed a mix of relief and concern. A note from an investment analyst at Goldman Sachs noted that the company’s communication strategy has a direct impact on investor sentiment and, consequently, on the stock price. “The next few months will be telling as to how the new communications leader steers investor relations, especially with ongoing talks about expanding Paramount+ into new international markets,” the analyst added.

Closing Thoughts

David Bittler’s departure marks the end of a notable chapter for Paramount Global, one in which he helped navigate the company through seismic shifts in the entertainment industry. While the company is poised to build on his groundwork, the evolving nature of media consumption will undoubtedly demand fresh perspectives in its communications strategy. Paramount Global’s ability to recruit or develop a communications leader capable of balancing stakeholder expectations while maintaining brand integrity will be crucial as it seeks to cement its place in a crowded streaming marketplace.

Sources: Paramount Global Press Release (https://www.paramount.com/about), TheWrap article on Paramount’s restructuring, David Bittler’s LinkedIn profile, Variety feature on media communications.

Read the Full TheWrap Article at:
[ https://www.thewrap.com/paramount-david-bittler-communications-evp-exits/ ]

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