AT&T reshuffles top management ahead of Time Warner deal

AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson image by BloombergAT&T announced changes in senior management team as part of its strategy to derive benefits from the proposed acquisition of media giant Time Warner.

Time Warner owns television channels such as HBO, Turner, and Warner Bros.

AT&T said the transaction is currently under review by the United States Department of Justice and competition authorities in certain foreign countries.

Lori Lee will head AT&T International. She will be further developing AT&T’s mobile service business in Mexico, where it has more than 13 million consumers and businesses. AT&T has pay-TV service in 11 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean with more than 13 million subscribers. Lori Lee was previously head of AT&T’s Time Warner Merger Integration Planning Team.

Lori Lee will have additional responsibilities as global marketing officer.

John Stankey, will be heading AT&T’s Time Warner Merger Integration Planning Team. He will work with Time Warner chairman and CEO Jeff Bewkes to plan for a smooth leadership transition. John Stankey will become the CEO of AT&T’s media company once the merger is complete. John Stankey was previously CEO of AT&T Entertainment Group.

John Donovan will be the CEO of AT&T Communications, which includes AT&T’s Business Solutions, Entertainment Group, and Technology & Operations groups.

AT&T provides mobile, broadband and video services to U.S-based consumers and serves nearly 3.5 million businesses, from the smallest companies to nearly all the Fortune 1000. John Donovan was previously chief strategy officer and group president of AT&T Technology and Operations.

Lori Lee, John Stankey and John Donovan will continue to report to AT&T chairman and CEO Randall Stephenson.