DC Studios, a recently launched division of Warner Bros. Discovery, getting its own communications manager.
Warner Bros. veteran Candice McDonough has been appointed chief executive officer of advertising and communications for DC Studios, the arm run by co-chairmen and co-CEOs James Gunn and Peter Safran.
According to Wednesday’s announcement, McDonough will oversee media relations, publicity, as well as external and personnel communications, reporting to Gunn and Safran.
In addition, Gary Barbosa joins the division in the role of director of integrated marketing and creative.
The appointments come as, for the first time, DC-related screen content is under one umbrella as DC Studios. Launched late last year, it seeks to produce not just films but television and animation series while weaving an interconnected story universe across mediums and high-end floors. It is the first film to formally launch the new DC universe Superman: Legacy, who has been putting up hard for the past few weeks. The film, which will be released in 2025, will be prefaced by an animated sequence Creature commandos.
“Not only is Candice one of the smartest communications strategists out there, but we also know that she has a unique expertise in working with creative talent to ensure that the their work presented in the strongest and most compelling way,” Gunn and Safran said in a statement. “We couldn’t be more excited to welcome Candice to DC and our senior team.”
McDonough said: “I am thrilled to be joining DC Studios at such an important time, working for directors who have an inspiring, singular vision for the iconic DC Universe across film, television and animation. Although this role is new, I have been fortunate to work with James and Patrick as filmmakers for many years, and I look forward to doing so even more closely as I will be part of the Warner Bros. family. Discovery.”
McDonough began her career at Warners in 2001, working in publicity for New Line Cinema, the division that specializes in horror, comedies and, at that time, the The Lord of the Rings licensing. He was promoted in 2012 to oversee advertising and corporate communications for New Line Cinema and Warner Bros. Studio Operations.
The executive, who graduated from Boston College, spent two years leading communications for EuropaCorp before returning to Warners in 2018 to lead theatrical communications for Warner Bros.
