Carolyn Blackwood, veteran Warner Bros. executive and the film division’s Chief Operating Officer is leaving the studio.
Blackwood’s resignation comes after her boss Toby Emmerich, chairman of the motion picture group, will become the lot producer later this year. These changes are coming to Warner Bros. thanks to Discovery CEO David Zaslav, who is working on shaping a better vision for his movie business. Producers Michael De Luca and Pamela Abdy are already heading up Warner Bros. Pictures and New Line Cinema. Streamlining will be coming for Warner Animation Group as well as DC Films, Zaslav wrote in a staff memo last week.
Even though Blackwood’s role was critical, De Luca and Abdy felt a COO was not a necessity to the new structure of the company. Overseeing physical production, handling business affairs, dealing with music and film acquisitions; Blackwood did a lot with her role.
“Carolyn is one of the most talented and strategic executives in the business, and it’s been a highlight of my career to have been colleagues with her the last 23 years,” Emmerich told Variety. “She’s beloved across our film operation and deservedly well respected by talent and her peers. She’s been a terrific partner and even better friend, and I know that great things are ahead for her.”
Blackwood added that “New Line and WB has been my home for the past 23 years and I will always treasure my time there. I have great respect for David, Mike and Pam and wish the studio and all my beloved and talented colleagues all the luck in the world.”
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