As Paramount races to complete its bid to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, the company has formed an independent industrial relations department led by longtime executives Nicole Lange and Sheldon Kasdan.
The company announced the creation of the division that handles labor relations with Hollywood’s powerful labor unions on Monday in a move that appears intended to send a message that it takes business seriously as it attempts to integrate the industry’s two historic studios. Both executives have long-standing working relationships with Hollywood’s top unions, with Lange joining the company in 2007. And Kasdan in 2016.
Lange and Kasdan report to Paramount Skydance’s Chief Legal Officer, Makan Delrahim. “Nicole and Sheldon have played a key role in managing recent labor negotiations and strengthening our relationships with our partners across the industry,” Delrahim said in a statement. “Elevating Industrial Relations to an independent department reflects the importance of this work and our confidence in their continued leadership.”
Representatives of several unions offered their congratulations in statements. “As Paramount and the industry continue to evolve, it is encouraging and gratifying to know that the company’s focus on its relationship with IATSE and, more importantly, the interests of our members who will continue to provide invaluable service to their products, remain at the forefront of their operations,” said Matthew Loeb, IATSE International President. “The establishment of a new Industrial Relations Department underscores the importance of labor relations and ensures that vital workforce issues are addressed at the highest levels of the company.”
SAG-AFTRA’s chief negotiator and national executive, Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, praised Plange and Kasdan for their “professionalism, seriousness of purpose, and clear understanding that durable agreements are built through respect, direct engagement, and a desire to solve difficult problems.” DGA National Executive Director Russell Hollander described them as “thoughtful, solutions-oriented partners.”
Hollywood insiders were generally less enthusiastic about the proposed mega merger between Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount Skydance, which is generally treated with skepticism. The Writers Guild of America was the most vocal, completely opposing the merger, while Directors Guild of America President Christopher Nolan was cautious in his assessment of the deal in an interview earlier this year. “A merger will mean job losses. It will mean consolidation. We all know that,” he said. (The DGA has not announced an official position on the deal, nor has SAG-AFTRA or IATSE.)
It’s not clear what roles Lang and Kasdan will play in the Paramount-Warner Bros. spinoff. Discovery shared, though Monday’s announcement provided a clear vote of confidence.
Lang, an executive vice president at the company, is responsible for business relations for Paramount’s motion picture division and manages back-of-house studio operations. She is a board member of the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) and serves as a board member of several union retirement and health plans. She holds a master’s degree in law from Georgetown University Law Center, a bachelor’s degree in law from Whittier Law School, and a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Davis.
Kasdan, who is also executive vice president of Paramount, oversees labor relations for the union’s television media division and PTVS. He is a member of the Board of Directors of AMPTP, and also serves on the boards of union retirement and health plans. Kasdan graduated from Loyola Law School and UCLA.
On June 18, the Los Angeles Department of Economic Opportunity released a report stating that a potential merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery “puts approximately 2,495 jobs in greater Los Angeles County and approximately 6,000 jobs globally at potential risk.”
“The combined alliance between Paramount and WBD will have the scale and resources necessary to compete more effectively in a rapidly evolving global media marketplace and invest in content, technology and functionality,” a Paramount representative said in response to the report.
