Chris Willard

Chris Willard Email and Phone Number

Strategic Comms Partner | Former HBO/Max @
Chris Willard's Location
San Francisco, California, United States, United States
About Chris Willard

I am a creative and ambitious strategic communications leader who drove successful PR strategies for every aspect of HBO’s business, guiding the culture-defining brand through the turbulent streaming revolution, as new technologies and challenger brands disrupted traditional business models and the way we consume entertainment. For more than 15 years, I’ve steered the conversation at the intersection of culture and technology, working with senior executives across product, tech, marketing, research, data science, AI/ML, content strategy and other disciplines to launch new brands and evolve legacy brands without diminishing their hard-earned reputations. At HBO, I launched TV shows, streaming services, VR games and experiences, AR lenses, voice skills, branching narrative tech, live fan experiences, a global concert tour, Super Bowl commercials and hundreds of consumer products that cemented HBO’s status as the go-to brand for curated, prestige television and turned shows like Game of Thrones into global phenomenons. In 2023, I led the successful PR roll out for the rebranded Max streaming service, working closely with Warner Bros. Discovery’s streaming leadership team across the U.S., Latin America, Europe and APAC to set the stage for the new brand and improved product experience. My leadership during this period of rapid growth and change was a key influence in evolving a legacy entertainment business into one of the leading streaming players across the globe, giving him a unique perspective into how technology transforms business. I’m excited to build on this experience by working with brands who are charting a vision for the future, brands who are developing unique and exciting ways to evolve their businesses amidst disruption, and, in this new era of automation, brands who are finding the right balance between human and machine to drive innovation, educate and empower workers, and unlock value across their organizations.

Chris Willard's Current Company Details
Chris Willard Communications

Chris Willard Communications

Strategic Comms Partner | Former HBO/Max
Chris Willard Work Experience Details
  • Chris Willard Communications
    Strategic Comms Partner
    Chris Willard Communications Feb 2024 - Present
    San Francisco, California, United States
    Chris Willard Communications is a San Francisco-based strategic communications consulting firm servicing clients at the intersection of culture and technology. CWC offers hourly consulting, narrative development, launch campaigns, media training and crisis communications.
  • Warner Bros. Discovery
    Svp, Streaming Communications
    Warner Bros. Discovery Apr 2022 - Sep 2023
    Los Angeles, California, United States
    -Led communications roll out in support of the launch of Max, a new app that combined the best content from HBO Max and discovery+ in a new user interface and built on a new tech stack.-Worked closely with execs in Europe, Latin America, and APAC on global strategy to ensure discipline and messaging consistency.
  • Warnermedia
    Svp, Communications, Direct-To-Consumer (Hbo Max)
    Warnermedia Dec 2020 - Apr 2022
    Los Angeles, California, United States
    -Spearheaded communications strategy for WarnerMedia’s DTC business unit, partnering with HBO Max leaders and comms leaders globally to position HBO Max as an innovative, industry-leading streaming platform.-Provided executive support and developed positive PR narratives for multiple in-org teams, including product experience, marketing, in-app editorial, growth marketing & engagement, and data science.-Oversaw social PR strategies, owning @HBOPR on Twitter and @InsideHBOMax on Twitter and Instagram allowing for guidance and control of brand perceptions on social media platforms.-Managed crisis communications around HBO Max platform crashes and consumer complaints ensuring consistency between press and consumer comms.-Partnered with executive leadership and brand marketing team to provide strategic guidance around how and if the company should engage on social issues (e.g., BLM, Stop AAPI Hate, Roe v. Wade).
  • Warnermedia
    Vice President Of Corporate Communications, Warnermedia Entertainment And Direct-To-Consumer
    Warnermedia Oct 2019 - Dec 2020
    Greater New York City Area
    -Developed workflows and processes to enable collaboration across HBO, HBO Max, and T-nets PR teams, including redesign of press release templates, streamlining of all press lists, management of festival, panel, and industry opportunities, and creation of team dashboard containing key departmental assets and info.-Ran PR efforts for DTC tech team, including press narrative for DTC tech head timed to launch of HBO Max.
  • Hbo
    Director Of Corporate Affairs
    Hbo Apr 2018 - Oct 2019
    Greater New York City Area
    -Oversaw corporate communications strategy and issues management for HBO’s consumer marketing, technology, home entertainment, licensing & retail, and multicultural marketing divisions. -Spearheaded PR launches of emerging tech initiatives including AR lenses, VR games and experiences, and Voice skills, explaining new technologies to reporters resulting in positive coverage of key launches.-Headed PR efforts for #ForTheThrone, the Game of Thrones final season marketing campaign, including Super Bowl commercial, SXSW experiential activation, pro-social partnership with American Red Cross, global scavenger hunt, and partnerships with consumer brands: Adidas, Oreos, John Varvatos, and Johnnie Walker.
  • Hbo
    Manager, Corporate Affairs
    Hbo Nov 2015 - Apr 2018
    Greater New York City Area
    -Managed PR launch of Mosaic, an interactive storytelling app from Oscar-winning director Steven Soderbergh reinforcing HBO’s reputation as an entertainment innovator.-Led PR efforts for Home Entertainment and Consumer Products divisions, including for Game of Thrones global concert tour, mobile and console games, books, board games, and alcoholic beverages, tripling licensing revenue as the series soared in popularity globally.
  • Hbo
    Publicist, Home Entertainment And Global Licensing
    Hbo Jun 2013 - Nov 2015
    New York, Ny
    -Oversaw PR strategy for HBO’s Home Entertainment and Consumer Products divisions, generating press and influencer coverage in the United States and United Kingdom for dozens of consumer product releases each year.
  • Hbo
    Publicity Assistant
    Hbo Aug 2009 - May 2013
    New York, Ny
    -Assisted the Vice President of Program Publicity in gaining media coverage and reviews for HBO series and specials, including Girls, Boardwalk Empire, True Blood, Looking, and Hung.
  • Freelance
    Freelance Writer/Reporter/Fact Checker
    Freelance May 2007 - Oct 2009
  • People Magazine
    Editorial Assistant
    People Magazine Jan 2008 - Dec 2008
    New York, Ny
    • Reported, wrote, and fact checked articles for People Magazine and People.com• Oversaw creation of a daily calendar assigning writing/editing shifts for People.com

Chris Willard Education Details

Frequently Asked Questions about Chris Willard

What company does Chris Willard work for?

Chris Willard works for Chris Willard Communications

What is Chris Willard's role at the current company?

Chris Willard's current role is Strategic Comms Partner | Former HBO/Max.

What schools did Chris Willard attend?

Chris Willard attended University Of Science And Arts Of Oklahoma.

Not the Chris Willard you were looking for?

  • Chris Willard

    San Francisco Bay Area
    4
    gmail.com, waypointhomes.com, roofstock.com, roofstock.com

    3 +151025XXXXX

  • Chris Willard

    Privacy And Data Security Legal Compliance | Cybersecurity Incident Response | M&A Experience | Complex Agreement Negotiation | Policy Drafting
    Las Vegas, Nv
    3
    comcastnets.com, rocketmail.com, caesars.com

    11 +131073XXXXX

  • Chris Willard

    Regional Director Of Operations At Black Bear Diner
    Greater Sacramento
    3
    mimiscafe.com, mimiscafe.com, blackbeardiner.com
  • Chris Willard

    Owner & Director Of Corporate Events @ Crown Choice Inc. L Event Director @ Hk Hall L Director Of Events @ Cobble Fish
    New York, Ny
    5
    aol.com, yahoo.com, rodanandfields.com, gmail.com, crownchoice.net

Free Chrome Extension

Find emails, phones & company data instantly

Find verified emails from LinkedIn profiles
Get direct phone numbers & mobile contacts
Access company data & employee information
Works directly on LinkedIn - no copy/paste needed
Get Chrome Extension - Free

Aero Online

Your AI prospecting assistant

Download 750 million emails and 100 million phone numbers

Access emails and phone numbers of over 750 million business users. Instantly download verified profiles using 20+ filters, including location, job title, company, function, and industry.