The $82 Billion Trust Test: Communication from Netflix & WBD

When Netflix announced its $82.7 billion acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery on December 5, 2025, two CEOs had to communicate the same massive change to completely different audiences. The stakes couldn't be higher. 300 million Netflix subscribers. 128 million HBO Max users. 49,000 employees are wondering if they'll have jobs next year. And Hollywood legends like James Cameron saying, "Netflix would be a disaster." Former radio broadcaster and communications strategist Rob Hunter breaks down exactly how Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos and Warner Bros CEO David Zaslav managed (and sometimes mismanaged) the highest-stakes corporate communication of 2025. You'll learn: The Breaking News Formula – How to structure any major announcement using Facts → Impact → What's Next (the same framework Rob used covering Hurricane Katrina and 9/11 in 27 years of talk radio) Why 70% of employees admit they don't read leadership emails – and the multi-format delivery method that actually gets your message through (written + video + bullets + visuals) The Five Trust Buckets – How to maintain trust with employees, customers, shareholders, regulators, and industry stakeholders when they all want different things from you The Three Universal Truths – Language is contagious. You only control you. It's always personal. (These filters will change how you approach every high-stakes conversation) The Credibility Gap Problem – Why Netflix's "we're making jobs" messaging falls flat when your culture is built on the Keeper Test and "adequate performance gets generous severance." Rob analyzes David Zaslav's internal email to 35,000 Warner Bros employees, showing you exactly what worked, what didn't, and what you should steal for your next major announcement. Then he examines Ted Sarandos's public statements to shareholders and customers—and why some stakeholders (like Hollywood) won't believe you until you show them, not tell them. This episode is for you if: You're a VP, C-Suite executive, or CEO who needs to communicate major changes You've ever sent an important email and wondered if anyone actually read it You're managing a merger, acquisition, restructuring, or major strategic shift You want to understand how top companies handle multi-stakeholder communication You're tired of corporate communication that sounds good but doesn't land Real-world frameworks. Zero corporate jargon. Immediately actionable. Rob Hunter spent 27 years in talk radio and now works executives 1:1 and with companies on internal communication strategy. He's seen what works when the stakes are highest—and he's breaking it all down for you. Related topics: corporate communication, leadership communication, change management, stakeholder management, internal communications, crisis communication, executive presence, business strategy, Netflix, Warner Bros Discovery, mergers and acquisitions