Warner Bros. Discovery’s latest move to halt non-essential travel due to the impact of tariffs has sparked chatter in Hollywood, but let’s cut through the noise: this is a classic David Zaslav play. The man knows how to tighten a belt—and he does it unapologetically, even if it means ruffling some feathers. Zaslav sent a dry memo to employees on Tuesday, explaining that Warner Bros. Discovery will have to “minimize discretionary spending” in response to “market volatility and reduced consumer confidence,”
“Effective immediately, all travel that is not business-critical should be cancelled,” the CEO reportedly said.
Here’s the deal: Warner Bros. Discovery is feeling the squeeze from tariffs and global economic headwinds, and Zaslav isn’t about to let unnecessary spending derail his carefully calculated strategy. This is the same CEO who slashed projects like Batgirl and Coyote vs. Acme—films that were practically ready for release—all in the name of fiscal discipline. While some might call it ruthless, Zaslav’s approach has kept Warner Bros. Discovery afloat during turbulent times. The man doesn’t just manage; he strategizes.
Following Donald Trump’s reelection, Zaslav said he believe that the president could “offer a pace of change and an opportunity for consolidation.”
“We have an upcoming new administration, and it’s too early to tell, but it may offer a pace of change and an opportunity for consolidation that may be quite different, that would provide a real positive and accelerated impact on this industry that’s needed,” Zaslav reported said during the company’s Q3 earnings call at the time.
Contrast this with Bob Iger over at Disney. Sure, Iger has also axed projects he deemed unworthy, but he’s done so quietly, almost sheepishly admitting it in passing at investor conferences.Meanwhile, Disney continues to churn out box office duds (The Marvels, Snow White, anyone?), leaving many wondering if Iger’s “quiet” strategy is really just indecision dressed up as diplomacy.
Iger also recently made a surprise appearance at an ABC News’ daily editorial meeting last week and expressed concern for the company’s $60 billion expansion plans, according to Disney Tourist Blog:
As discussion of the tariffs and the ABC newsroom’s coverage strategy continued, staffers described Iger as continuously jumping into the conversation to share his thoughts and offer more of what [Oliver] Darcy said were “unfiltered views.” He expressed concern for Disney Cruise Line, particularly its new ships that rely on steel for their construction. Iger stated that Disney may have to scale back its investment plans if costs rise too high.
The full effect of the Trump administration’s tariffs on the entertainment industry has yet to be estimated. One major impact could be shutting off the Chinese movie marketplace from the U.S. should tariffs move forward. Chinese officials have not yet confirmed if they’re actually considering such a policy, but this is the conventional wisdom.
Since taking the reins of Warner Bros. Discovery in 2022, he’s slashed costs, paid down billions in debt, and launched Max, a streaming platform that combines HBO Max and Discovery+ content. Yes, his decisions have made him a polarizing figure (remember when he got booed off stage at Boston University?), but they’ve also delivered results: Warner Bros. Discovery surpassed cash flow projections by $1 billion last year. And let’s not forget that Zaslav inherited a mess after the $43 billion merger of WarnerMedia and Discovery. He’s been tasked with turning around a company saddled with debt and struggling to compete in an oversaturated streaming market. If Warner Bros. can thrive during this stormy economic season, he may be able to save the company.
So while Disney grapples with “superhero fatigue” and a string of flops, Warner Bros. Discovery is trimming the fat and staying laser-focused on profitability. Say what you will about Zaslav’s methods—they’re not for the faint of heart—but one thing is clear: when it comes to navigating Hollywood’s current chaos, he might just be playing chess while Iger plays checkers.
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