CNN Worldwide Appoints David C. Leavy as COO

CNN Worldwide has appointed David C. Leavy, a senior executive at Warner Bros. Discovery and former CEO David Zaslav’s deputy, as COO.

Leavy will be in charge of the network’s commercial, operational, and promotional activities. The move is successful on June 20.

For the past 23 years, Leavy has worked for Discovery and its successor, Warner Bros. Discovery. He at present is boss corporate undertakings official for the parent organization of CNN, and will keep up with public arrangement and social obligation oversight even as he moves to the news organization.

CNN has seen its evaluations grieve in the year since Revelation assumed command over WarnerMedia, the organization’s previous corporate parent. Its primetime audience decreased by 25% in May compared to the previous year, reaching an average of 494,000 viewers. The total day’s audience for the network also decreased.

CNN Overall Chief Chris Licht’s methodology has been to zero in favoring the organization’s newsgathering, as opposed to assessment characters, and he’s been amidst retooling the evening time arrangement. Among other changes, Kaitlan Collins will move from CNN This Morning to the crucial 9 p.m. slot. During Warner Bros. Discovery’s upfront presentation, CNN also unveiled a new on-air typeface.

On Thursday, during the network’s morning editorial call, Licht announced Leavy’s appointment. In addition to putting a close lieutenant of Zaslav in a hands-on position at the network, the move aims to free Licht up to concentrate on decisions regarding content and programming.

In a statement, Licht said that Leavy “is a strategic, versatile and dynamic executive who will work with myself and the senior leadership team to help transform our business as we get the full programming slate on the air, build out our digital future and grow the CNN brand around the world.” Licht also said that Leavy “is a strategic, versatile, and dynamic executive.”

“Everyone who works with David has seen how his energy, work ethic and collaborative style positively impacts an organization, and I can’t wait for him to join me and the CNN team,” he added.

CNN noted Leavy’s key roles in the launch of Discovery+, the agreement to acquire Scripps Networks Interactive in 2018, the company’s listing on NASDAQ in 2008, and the agreement between Discovery and Europsport for the rights to the Olympic Games across Europe prior to the Warner Media merger. Leavy previously held the positions of deputy press secretary for foreign affairs in the Clinton White House, as well as senior director of public affairs and chief spokesman for the National Security Council.