Page 21 - SAMENA Trends - April 2020

REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

AT&T on a Path to Leadership Transition

After serving 13 years as AT&T’s Chairman
and CEO, Randall Stephenson, 60, will retire
as CEO but will serve as Executive Chairman
of the Board of Directors until January
2021 to ensure a smooth leadership
transition. The AT&T Inc Board has elected
AT&T President and Chief Operating Officer
John Stankey as CEO effective July 1, 2020,
and a member of the Board of Directors
effective June 1, 2020.nStankey's selection
as AT&T's next CEO completes the final
phase of a succession planning process
that AT&T's Board began in 2017, which
included a thorough evaluation of internal
and external candidates. Most recently, the
HR Committee — led by AT&T Director Beth
Mooney, comprised entirely of independent
directors and supported by outside of AT&T Operations; and CEO of AT&T years ahead. We look forward to Randall
consultants — engaged in an extensive Business Solutions. Stephenson said, continuing to lead the Board and working
five-month search process to ensure that “I congratulate John, and I look forward with John to ensure a smooth leadership
the company's next CEO possessed the to partnering with him as the leadership transition.” “I’m honored to be elected the
vision, experience, talent and leadership team moves forward on our strategic next CEO of AT&T, a company with a rich
qualities necessary to deliver on AT&T's initiatives while navigating the difficult history and a bright future,” said Stankey.
strategic plans. Those qualities in our economic and health challenges currently “My thanks go to Randall for his vision and
new CEO are important for our future facing our country and the world. John outstanding leadership during a period of
and essential during these challenging has the right experiences and skills, and tremendous change and investment in the
economic times. "Leadership succession the unflinching determination every CEO core capabilities needed to position AT&T
is one of the Board's most important needs to act on his convictions. He has a well for the years ahead. And I appreciate
responsibilities," Mooney said. "After an terrific leadership team onboard to ensure the Board’s confidence in me leading
extensive evaluation, it was clear that John AT&T remains strong and continues to the company during our next chapter of
Stankey was the right person to lead AT&T deliver for customers and shareholders growth and innovation in keeping people
into the future.”nStankey, 57, has served as for years to come.” Matt Rose, AT&T’s connected, informed and entertained. We
president and COO since October 2019. He independent Lead Director, said, “Randall have a strong company, leading brands
joined AT&T in 1985 and has more than 30 has done an outstanding job as CEO and a great employee team, which I’m
years of accomplished leadership spanning in transforming AT&T into a leader in privileged to lead. I couldn’t be more excited
nearly every area of AT&T’s business, from communications, technology, and media about the new opportunities we have to
corporate strategy and technology, to and entertainment. His strong leadership serve our customers and communities
operations and media and entertainment. and strategic investments during a and create value for our shareholders.”
Stankey has served in a variety of roles, period of unprecedented customer Later this year, AT&T’s Board will elect an
including: CEO of WarnerMedia; CEO of demand for mobile communications and independent director to chair the Board
AT&T Entertainment Group; Chief Strategy premium entertainment have positioned of Directors when Stephenson retires as
Officer; Chief Technology Officer; CEO the company extremely well for the executive chairman in January 2021.

AT&T Appoints New Media Chief

AT&T tapped former Hulu chief Jason Kilar was appointed to a newly created role of also brings experience gained in several
to lead its WarnerMedia unit starting 1 May, President and COO of AT&T alongside his leadership positions at Amazon, including
appointing him to take over the role from WarnerMedia duties. Kilar served as CEO SVP of worldwide application software.
John Stankey as the company prepares to of Hulu from its founding in 2007 until In a statement, Stankey said Kilar’s
launch a key video streaming product. The 2013, when he moved on to co-found and appointment ahead of the planned launch
move comes seven months after Stankey lead video streaming service Vessel. He of a new HBO Max streaming service

21 APRIL 2020