Michele Barney

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

ABOUT MICHELE BARNEY

Versatile, collaborative media executive with over 20 years of experience in Distribution, Partnership Management, Operations, Affiliate Marketing and Strategy. Strategic thinker and skilled negotiator with excellent problem-solving skills. Current role is Head of Strategic Commercial Partnerships for Warner Bros. Discovery. A commercial executive responsible for proactively managing key accounts across business units to ensure holistic, coordinated strategies that maximize opportunities and revenue streams. Also, oversee WBD-wide Fusion function to ensure that WBD leverages the power of the WBD portfolio to amplify and monetize enterprise-wide IP priorities. Joined Discovery from DIRECTV/AT & T in January 2021 as President, Affiliate Distribution. Responsible for strategic oversight and distribution of Discovery’s network portfolio and digital content in the U.S. and Canada, managing Discovery’s carriage with cable, satellite, telco and digital distributors. After joining DIRECTV in 2001 (which was acquired by AT & T in 2015), held key roles in Legal and Programming during 20-year tenure. Responsible for strategy and negotiation of complex, multi-billion dollar content distribution deals in both traditional and digital media. Led a new digital rights team following AT & T\'s acquisition of DIRECTV. Played critical roles in the launches of high definition, video-on-demand, TV Everywhere, 4K, DIRECTV NOW, WatchTV, AT & T TV, and the inclusion of content in AT & T Mobility’s unlimited wireless plans. Played a key role in the transition from traditional to digital media across content and operations. Prior to joining DIRECTV, served as a Corporate Associate at Latham & Watkins. Holds a B.S, magna cum laude, from USC, and a J.D. from UC Berkeley, School of Law.