Warner Bros. to layoff 52 people in Motion Picture Group

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52 employees from the Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group have been let go, as stated in an internal communication to staff on Wednesday and a notice sent to California’s Employment Development Department.

The reductions in workforce, impacting areas such as marketing, supply chain, manufacturing, strategic planning, day-to-day operations, and movie theaters, are elements of a broader reorganization initiative at Warner Bros. Discovery, a process that commenced earlier this year.

The plan for reorganization involves concentrating efforts on eliminating the division barriers between U.S. and global marketing and distribution, aiming for a unified “global structure.” This was mentioned in the memo that announced job cuts.

Hollywood Inc.

The decision arises due to the need for Warner Film Studio to boost its earnings. Notably, the departing officials, Josh Goldstine and Andrew Cripps, did not have a role in movie selection.

In their internal memorandum, Michael De Luca and Pamela Abdy (the chairs of Motion Picture Group) expressed that change in our work methods is frequently necessary, leading them to make some extremely tough choices regarding the future operation of our business, as reported by The Times.

The memo indicated that over the next few weeks and months, we’ll collaborate with international leaders to adapt and put into action our global operational framework, ensuring it aligns with local requirements and circumstances.

A communication was received from the State Employment Development Department, informing us that 52 employees are set to be terminated, with the process beginning on October 4th.

As a movie critic reflecting on the current state of affairs at Warner Bros. Discovery, I find myself pondering the weighty burden of billions in debt they’ve shouldered since the acquisition of WarnerMedia from AT&T three years ago – a move that has left its mark. In an effort to streamline operations and trim excess, they’ve undertaken a significant restructuring process and let go of thousands of dedicated team members. Recently, the company unveiled plans to split its assets into two distinct publicly traded companies, signaling a new chapter in their cinematic journey.

Hollywood Inc.

The decision arises due to the need for Warner Film Studio to boost its earnings. Notably, the departing executives, Josh Goldstine and Andrew Cripps, didn’t have a role in selecting films.

In January, two key figures from the movie section of the company, Josh Goldstine (a seasoned marketing executive) and Andrew Cripps (the head of international film distribution), decided to part ways with the company following a reshuffle in the higher management, after some of their 2024 releases failed to meet expectations at the box office.

This year, the studio has seen greater box office success thanks to hits like “A Minecraft Film,” “Sinners,” and “Superman,” which have all claimed the number one spot on the charts.

The latest reductions were made only a few days following Warner Bros. Discovery’s announcement of their business division, revealing that the two independent parts would be named Warner Bros. and Discovery International, with specific assets assigned to each distinct organization.

David Zaslav, CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery, expressed that we will honorably carry on the over 100-year tradition of Warner Bros., by staying dedicated to sharing compelling tales, iconic characters, and global entertainment with audiences worldwide,” (in a statement about the post-merge plans for the company).

Warner Bros Discovery shares closed at $13.26, up 1.07% on Wednesday.

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2025-08-01 16:32