Anton Levy Joins Warner Bros. Discovery Board Amid Shareholder Pressure
Shareholder Influence
Sessa Capital has been instrumental in urging Warner Bros. Discovery to revise its board composition and accelerate restructuring processes, potentially aiming to divest or sell its cable networks. The representatives from both WBD and Sessa Capital have not commented publicly on these developments.
Board Changes and Enhancements
Levy’s appointment follows WBD’s decision in January to bring in two other independent directors: Anthony Noto, CEO of SoFi, and Joey Levin, chairman of Angi and former CEO of IAC.
Statements From Leadership
Samuel Di Piazza Jr., chair of WBD’s board, expressed gratitude for shareholder engagement, highlighting the valuable feedback from Sessa Capital’s John Petry. Di Piazza remarked that Levy’s inclusion aligns with the company’s commitment to enhancing its board with individuals who have proven records in value creation.
“We appreciate the engagement we have had from shareholders, including helpful input from John Petry, managing member of Sessa Capital, as part of that process,” said Samuel Di Piazza Jr.
Levy’s Background and Expertise
Anton Levy brings a wealth of experience from his tenure at General Atlantic, where he held various leadership roles, including Co-President and Chairman of Global Technology until January 2025. His investment expertise encompasses significant contributions to numerous high-profile technology firms, including:
- Airbnb
- Alibaba Group
- Crowdstrike
- Klarna AB
- Mercado Libre
- Slack
- Snapchat
- Squarespace
- Uber
Looking Ahead
David Zaslav, President and CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery, remarked on the importance of Levy’s insights during a critical period for the company, as it seeks to optimize its operations and enhance shareholder value. Zaslav emphasized the urgency of improving performance amidst a changing industry landscape.
“We continue to move forward with urgency to improve performance and position our businesses for success over the near- and long-term amid the evolving industry landscape,” said Zaslav.
Compensation Overview
For his role on the WBD board, Levy will receive a compensation package that includes $240,000 in stock retainers and $105,000 in cash retainers, as specified in a recent SEC filing.
Educational Credentials
Levy holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the McIntire School of Commerce at the University of Virginia, along with an MBA from Columbia Business School, further underscoring his qualifications in the field of business and investment.