In the wake of significant executive and editorial layoffs at DC Comics, Daniel Cherry, formerly chief marketing officer at Activision Blizzard Esports, has been named senior v-p and general manager of the company.
In this newly created position, Cherry will work in collaboration with Jim Lee, chief creative officer and publisher of DC Comics. Indeed, Lee, who is also one of DC’s most popular superhero artists, is among the few high-level DC editorial executives to remain in place under the recent reorganization of Warner Bros and its subsidiary units.
According to reports in The Beat and The Hollywood Reporter, DC executives that remain in place are Marie Javins, executive editor of Global Publishing Initiatives and Digital Strategy, and Michelle Wells, executive editor of DC Children’s/Young Adult. These two along with Jim Lee and Cherry will now head up DC’s new editorial structure.
Cherry’s appointment comes after a major reorganization in early August at Warner Bros.,the parent company of DC Comics, and Warner Media, that has led to significant layoffs throughout the company. According to published reports, in addition to laying off a number of long-serving editorial executives, it has been reported that as much as a third of the editorial staff at DC has been let go.
Among those reported to have been laid off are DC editor in chief Bob Harras, senior v-p publishing strategy and support services Hank Kanalz, v-p marketing and creative services Jonah Weiland, v-p Bobbie Chase, and editors Brian Cunningham, Mark Doyle and Andy Khouri.
Cherry will be charged with handling the business affairs of editorial, talent services, marketing, sales and the direct to consumer business of DC Comics. In addition, he will oversee business development with Anne DePies, senior v-p business strategy, financial and administration.
Cherry was previously CMO at Activision Blizzard Esports, a fast-growing global videogaming platform that holds events in arenas, and he oversaw the business, brand and content portfolio as well. Before joining Activision he was chief marketing and innovation officer for the New Jersey Devils of the NHL.
