As more women of color step into leadership roles in the entertainment world, this media veteran finds herself climbing the ladder at another major company.
Showtime’s head of communications, Johanna Fuentes is making a transition to Warner Bros. as their head of global communications.
“It’s a transformative moment in our industry, and I couldn’t be prouder to join a legacy and storied company like Warner Bros.,” said Fuentes on her new role.
“I believe in Ann’s vision for the future of the company and am excited to work with some of the top communications professionals and storytellers in our field as we map the strategy for the continued expansion of our iconic brands, films, games and television series.”
Fuentes has led a rewarding career in entertainment since beginning her career at CBS corporation in 2001, according to The Hollywood Reporter. As a former director of entertainment communications, she worked on programs including “Survivor” and “Everybody Hates Chris.”
Fuentes replaces Dee Dee Myers, who departed from the company in February after five years.
Within her new role, she’ll be overseeing the company’s “corporate communications strategies and activities on a worldwide basis, including media relations, executive communications, corporate responsibility and philanthropy,” as stated by The Hollywood Reporter.
Fuentes joins Warner Bros. from ViacomCBS-backed premium cable network Showtime. She has spent the last decade overseeing media relations for Showtime Networks, Pop TV, and the Smithsonian Channel and serving as the company’s communications liaison with parent companies CBS Corporation and ViacomCBS.
Deadline reported that during her tenure at Showtime, Fuentes helped manage the communications strategy for their streaming service and the network’s awards campaigns. She also launched a slew of new series alongside her team including Sacha Baron Cohen’s buzzy “Who is America?,” “The Circus” and “The Fourth Estate.”
Warner Bros Chair and CEO Ann Sarnoff released a statement on the new announcement:
“Johanna is a seasoned executive who brings strategic communications experience, solid media relationships and a sophisticated knowledge of the entertainment landscape to Warner Bros. As we navigate this next chapter of the evolution of our company, I look forward on relying on her expertise as an integral part of my executive team.”
According to Deadline, Fuentes begins her role as the EVP, Worldwide Corporate Communications and Public Affairs on May 4 based at the company’s global headquarters in Burbank, CA.
