Last week, ViacomCBS formally announced a shakeup in the executive suite of Paramount Pictures, with Brian Robbins replacing Jim Gianopulos as the head of the studio. Gianopulos had led Paramount since 2017 and has been widely credited with returning it to profitability after years of flagging results. Since 2018, Robbins has been the head of Nickelodeon, another well-known and successful media property for ViacomCBS, and he will retain that role as he now assumes responsibility for Paramount.
The change in leadership at the studio reflects the company’s focus on driving the growth of its Paramount+ streaming service. Gianopulos was seen as having a traditional approach as a movie studio head, with a focus on theatrical releasing as a lynchpin to building franchises and filmmaker relationships. Robbins is an advocate of “new media”, which includes, but is not limited to, streaming feature films. Paramount+ is a distant competitor to the most successful players in streaming, and Robbins’ prime directive is to boost its profile. He is expected to lean into film distribution strategies that will maximize interest in Paramount+.
See also: Nickelodeon head Brian Robbins expected to lead Paramount Pictures (LA Times)