Adrienne O’Hara Hired as Discovery Global Head of Communications

Warner Bros. Discovery has made a significant move by appointing Adrienne O’Hara as EVP, chief communications and public affairs officer of Discovery Global, the TV-centric entity that is set to spin off from WBD next year. O’Hara, a seasoned communications and PR professional who most recently worked at Gap Inc., will assume her new role on Jan. 7, 2026. In this newly created position, she will report to Gunnar Wiedenfels, WBD’s current CFO who is set to become president and CEO of Discovery Global. O’Hara’s responsibilities will include leading all global communications and public affairs efforts as the company prepares to operate independently following the planned separation from Warner Bros. Discovery.

The spin-off of Discovery Global is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2026. Following the spin-off, the remaining WBD businesses, including Warner Bros.’s studios, HBO, HBO Max, and games, will be acquired by Netflix in an $83 billion deal. However, Paramount Skydance, led by David Ellison, has launched a hostile $108 billion takeover bid, potentially jeopardizing the Netflix agreement.

Discovery Global will encompass a wide range of entertainment, sports, and news TV brands such as CNN, Discovery, TNT, TBS, OWN, HGTV, Food Network, TLC, Animal Planet, Cartoon Network, and Adult Swim. It will also include TNT Sports in the U.S., free-to-air channels across Europe, and digital products like the Discovery+ streaming service and Bleacher Report (B/R).

Gunnar Wiedenfels expressed his confidence in O’Hara’s appointment, highlighting her track record of leading iconic brands through periods of transformation. O’Hara, based in New York, previously served as SVP of global communications and engagement at Gap Inc., where she oversaw enterprise communications and engagement for the company’s global brands. Her experience also includes senior communications roles at Toys”R”Us and as head of communications for Old Navy at Gap Inc.

O’Hara expressed her excitement about joining Discovery Global, emphasizing the company’s potential to redefine its market positioning through strategic communications. She looks forward to working with Gunnar and the global team to shape the company’s narrative, enhance the employee experience, and strengthen brand impact as Discovery Global enters a new chapter.

With O’Hara’s appointment, the leadership team for the new company is now complete. The Discovery Global leadership team includes key executives such as Gerhard Zeiler, Fraser Woodford, Amy Girdwood, and Scott Miller, among others, who will play crucial roles in driving the company forward in its standalone journey.