Kevin MacLellan, president of international and global content distribution at Paramount Skydance, is leaving the company. The exit lands two days after Skydance completed its merger with Warner Bros Discovery to form Skydance.
MacLellan joined in summer 2025, when Skydance completed its acquisition of Paramount Global. He was one of several former NBCUniversal executives recruited by Jeff Shell, who himself exited as president of Paramount Skydance earlier this year. MacLellan’s remit covered Paramount’s distribution arm and international assets including Channel 5 in the UK and Network 10 in Australia.
What he leaves behind
Skydance has not named a successor for the international division. The gap is wider because Gerhard Zeiler, who ran international for Warner Bros Discovery, is also expected to step away to pursue political ambitions in Austria.
The combined business carries a large catalogue and prized local TV assets, but the international leadership question is not settled. For a group built on global scale, that is a meaningful hole in the commercial structure.
The new sales map
Skydance has already set out its go-to-market roles. David Decker, previously Warner Bros distribution head, will lead content sales. Jay Askinasi will lead ad sales. Ray Hopkins will oversee distribution of Skydance’s domestic networks.
- Content sales: David Decker
- Advertising sales: Jay Askinasi
- Domestic network distribution: Ray Hopkins
- International networks and platforms: JB Perrette, with no dedicated international president named
All three — Decker, Askinasi and Hopkins — report to JB Perrette, co-chair and chief business officer of Skydance TV and co-chair and chief business officer of Skydance direct-to-consumer. Outside the US, Skydance’s networks and platforms also fall under Perrette.
Why the reshuffle matters
For media planners, producers and distribution partners, the reorganisation changes who owns commercial conversations. Content buyers should route pitches through the new sales structure, not legacy Paramount or Warner Bros contacts. Advertisers with international or domestic network buys should watch the Askinasi-Hopkins split.
The next test is whether Skydance appoints a dedicated international president or permanently folds that remit into Perrette’s role. Until then, partners should press for clarity on UK and Australia assets, where MacLellan’s relationships ran deep.
Source: C21media
