Following AT&T’s acquisition of Time Warner, it was announced that the company – now branded as ‘WarnerMedia’ – is taking part in a broad diversity and inclusion initiative that includes DC (Entertainment and Films), Warner Bros., Turner, and HBO.
WarnerMedia recently released a statement saying the following:
“WarnerMedia companies, Warner Bros., HBO and Turner, have long been committed to diversity and inclusion as moral and business imperatives. It is essential that our content and creative partners reflect the diversity of our society and the world around us. Together with other production companies, networks, guilds, unions, talent agencies and others in the industry, we all must ensure there is greater inclusion of women, people of color, the LGBTQ+ community, those with disabilities and other underrepresented groups in greater numbers both in front of and behind the camera. For our part, WarnerMedia pledges to use our best efforts to ensure that diverse actors and crew members are considered for film, television and other projects, and to work with directors and producers who also seek to promote greater diversity and inclusion in our industry. To that end, in the early stages of the production process, we will engage with our writers, producers and directors to create a plan for implementing this commitment to diversity and inclusion on our projects, with goal of providing opportunities for individuals from under-represented groups at all levels. And, we will issue an annual report on our progress. the companies of WarnerMedia have a historic and proven commitment to diversity and inclusion. But there is much more we can do, and we believe real progress can be made in the industry. We will work with our partners in the entertainment community to make this commitment a reality.”
Kevin Tsujihara, chairman and CEO of Warner Bros. added:
“I’m proud that Warner Bros., and our sister companies HBO and Turner, are willing to state unequivocally that this is where we stand on diversity and inclusion. Our policy commits us to taking concrete action to further our goals, to measure the outcomes and to share the results publicly. I’m also thrilled that we were able to work with Michael B Jordan to craft a meaningful policy and framework that will apply to all of our productions, across all of our divisions, going forward.”
The new film, Just Mercy, staring Michael B. Jordan and directed by Destin Daniel-Cretton will be the first film distributed by Warner Bros. and WarnerMedia to be officially released under these new guidelines.
