The 20-Year David Ellison Plan: Paramount's Big Media Day

Paramount Pictures is one of the oldest and most influential film studios in the world, with its origins dating back to 1912 when Adolph Zukor founded the Famous Players Film Company. It officially became Paramount Pictures after a series of mergers with Jesse L. Lasky’s company and the distribution firm Paramount Pictures Corporation, founded by W.W. Hodkinson, who also designed the iconic mountain-and-stars logo symbolizing the studio’s roster of contracted stars[1][2][4][7]. This logo has become one of the most recognizable in entertainment history, initially featuring 24 stars representing its prominent actors[4]. Throughout its history, Paramount has been a pioneer in the film industry, producing and distributing landmark films and franchises such as *The Godfather*, *Breakfast at Tiffany’s*, and *Indiana Jones*, helping shape Hollywood’s Golden Age and modern blockbuster era[6]. The studio experienced significant ups and downs, including financial struggles during the Great Depression when it gambled on provocative films, and later corporate transformations. In 1966, Gulf+Western Industries acquired Paramount, marking a strategic shift toward media and communications, culminating in the rebranding as Paramount Communications in 1989[6]. Paramount’s legacy includes key contributions to technological and cultural milestones in entertainment. It was the last major studio physically located in Hollywood, maintaining a historic connection to the film industry’s roots[4]. The company has also been at the forefront of evolving media landscapes, adapting to changes in distribution, ownership, and content delivery, notably under Viacom ownership in the 1990s, which saw a resurgence in box office success[6]. Today, Paramount remains a major player in global media, producing diverse content across film, television, and digital platforms, continuing its century-long tradition of innovation and influence in entertainment and media technology. Its enduring brand and extensive library underscore its significant role in the intersection of business, culture, and technology in the entertainment industry.

Skydance Media is a diversified global media and entertainment company founded in 2010 by David Ellison, who envisioned creating a multi-platform studio producing high-quality, event-level content spanning feature films, television, animation, interactive media, and new media experiences[1][3][7]. Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, Skydance has grown to employ over 500 people across two continents, developing a strong reputation for innovation and versatility in entertainment[1][3]. The company’s origins trace back to 2006, when David Ellison, an accomplished pilot inspired by aerobatics (“skydancing”), helped finance the World War I aviation film *Flyboys*. Formally launched in 2010 with a $350 million financing deal supported by Ellison’s father, Larry Ellison, Skydance quickly secured a co-financing agreement with Paramount Pictures, gaining access to major film projects and distribution[2]. Its first major hit was the 2010 remake of *True Grit*, directed by the Coen Brothers, which earned 10 Academy Award nominations and became one of the highest-grossing westerns of the 21st century[1][2]. Skydance solidified its prominence with blockbuster franchises such as *Mission: Impossible*—notably *Ghost Protocol* (2011), which featured Tom Cruise performing stunts on the Burj Khalifa and became the highest-grossing film in the series at that time—and expanded into television with successful series like Amazon’s *Reacher* and *Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan*[1][5]. The company has also diversified into New Media (2019) and Sports (2021) divisions, reflecting its strategic multi-platform approach[5]. In 2025, Skydance merged with Paramount Global in an $8 billion deal to form Paramount, a Skydance Corporation, creating a next-generation media powerhouse combining Skydance’s production and technological expertise with Paramount’s vast creative library and global

ViacomCBS, now known as Paramount Global, is a leading American media conglomerate specializing in entertainment content production, broadcasting, and streaming services. The company emerged from the merger of CBS Corporation and Viacom in December 2019, reuniting two major media entities that had split in 2006 but shared common ownership under National Amusements. This strategic consolidation aimed to strengthen their competitive position in an evolving media landscape increasingly dominated by streaming and digital content[1][3]. The organization operates across multiple segments, including television broadcasting, film production, and digital streaming. Its portfolio includes iconic brands such as CBS, Paramount Pictures, MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, Showtime, and the CW network, among others. ViacomCBS holds significant market shares in television production, movie and video production, and video streaming industries, with an estimated 21,900 employees headquartered in New York[1][5]. Since the merger, ViacomCBS has actively expanded its content library and distribution capabilities. A notable acquisition includes a 49% stake in Miramax in 2019, securing exclusive distribution rights and co-development opportunities for film and television projects based on Miramax properties[1]. This move enhanced its film production and licensing strength. In 2025, the company further transformed by merging with Skydance Media, a prominent production company behind blockbuster franchises like *Top Gun: Maverick* and *Mission: Impossible*. This $8 billion merger created Paramount Skydance Corporation, signaling a strategic pivot to leverage high-profile franchises and streaming services in the competitive entertainment industry[3]. ViacomCBS’s evolution reflects broader industry trends, focusing on integrated content creation, global distribution, and streaming innovation. Its leadership under Shari Redstone and Bob Bakish has emphasized divesting non-core assets, such as the historic CBS headquarters, to reinvest in growth areas. This approach positions the company as a dynamic player in the convergence of traditional media and digital platforms[1][3].