WB Chief Executive Speaks

Or more accurately, sends an e-mail:

I wanted you to hear directly from me about our plans for the Studio. In recent days, we have started to hear rumors here at the company and to read misinformation in the press, so I’d like to set the record straight. ...

Since I became CEO, I’ve been working with the Studio’s senior management team to create a plan to position Warner Bros. for future growth, maintaining our position as the industry’s leader in quality and scale—all while safeguarding our traditions and legacy. This will require us to reduce costs and reallocate resources to our high-growth businesses.

We are doing our best to minimize staff reductions. However, and it pains me to say this, positions will be eliminated—at every level—across the Studio. In making these decisions, we will follow all applicable protocols. Your divisional and departmental leadership will share more information with you about these changes in the months ahead. ...

Warm regards

And sorry about the cold, cold steel of the axe now swinging down. ...

Usually when a memo like this gets circulated, upper management is trying to get ahead of the expectations game. And expectations have been grim:

August 25, 2015 -- The next breaking news story at CNN could be layoffs.

“We are going to do less and have to do it with less,” CNN president Jeff Zucker told employees at a call-in to a news meeting last Tuesday.

He did not specify that layoffs were planned, but acknowledged it was “difficult” news for CNN, which has been struggling to regain its former preeminence among cable news networks. ...

And tales from other divisions of the conglomerate aren't cheerful either:

Sept. 3, 2014 ... On the heels of Rupert Murdoch’s spurned $80 billion offer to buy Time Warner, Warner Bros. is downsizing. Sources have told Bloomberg that the Burbank studio plans to offer buyouts to an unspecified number of employees in a bid to decrease costs and increase profit. If it doesn’t get enough takers, Warners may start issuing pinkslips as well. The staff reductions will affect the company’s film, TV and home-entertainment divisions, and budget cuts will extend beyond personnel. ...

No word yet how this will impact Warner Bros. Animation, but when we find out information, we'll pass it along.