Warner Bros. Discovery has announced the appointment of Robert Gibbs as Chief Communications and Public Affairs Officer, effective August 5. In this new role, Gibbs will oversee the company’s corporate and business communications as well as public affairs, reporting directly to CEO David Zaslav.

David Zaslav commented on the appointment, saying, “At this transformative time in our industry, Robert is the right leader to assume this new, critical global role, as we continue to grow the Warner Bros. Discovery brand and presence around the world. Robert is an insightful and respected leader with experience spanning Fortune 500 companies, the White House, and winning political campaigns. He will be an invaluable part of the team as we create the most captivating stories and content for consumers around the world. I am thrilled to welcome him to WBD.”

Gibbs expressed his enthusiasm for the new role: “I couldn’t be happier to join Warner Bros. Discovery and to help tell the incredible stories of so many iconic brands across entertainment, news and sports. I’m particularly excited to work with the global team to fully and clearly capture WBD’s vision and communicate the meaningful growth potential in front of us. I am looking forward to getting started and being a part of this world-class organization.”

Before joining Warner Bros. Discovery, Gibbs was a Partner at Bully Pulpit International, where he specialized in strategic communications, public affairs, and corporate reputation. He also served as Executive Vice President for Corporate Relations and Global Chief Communications Officer for McDonald’s from 2015 to 2019, where he played a key role in globalizing the communications function and leading strategic initiatives.

Gibbs’s extensive experience includes serving as the first White House Press Secretary for the Obama Administration from January 2009 to February 2011 and holding senior advisory roles during Obama’s presidential campaigns. He began his work with Obama in 2004 as Communications Director for his U.S. Senate campaign and continued in that role during the 2008 presidential campaign.

Warner Bros. Discovery looks forward to leveraging Gibbs’s extensive experience in communications and public affairs to enhance its global brand and strategic initiatives.