This week, Paramount announced it was making some changes to the teams that build the apps behind Pluto TV and Paramount+. This move will result in one team responsible for building both Paramount+ and Pluto TV.
This comes as Deadline reports that the departed of Rob Gelick, who was Chief Product Officer and who “played a critical role” in the company’s streaming efforts, according to a memo obtained by Deadline.
The overall leadership of Paramount’s streaming efforts remains under Tom Ryan, who was a co-founder of Pluto TV and now runs all of Paramount’s streaming efforts. This change will see Paramount+ and Pluto TV apps remain their own separate services.
Here is the memo sent out to Paramount staff this week.
Hi team,
For the last two years as we worked to launch and scale Paramount+ around the world while continuing to grow the global Pluto TV business. Product and Tech operated as collaborative but separate units. As we look to the next chapter of Paramount Streaming and how we rapidly deliver a high-quality product experience to our customers and accelerate innovation, we must also evolve how we organize our teams.
Today, I am announcing that we are combining our Paramount Streaming Product and Tech teams into a single Streaming Tech organization. Vibol Hou, CTO of Streaming, will expand his role to oversee the combined group of product, program, engineering and operations teams responsible for innovating, building and operating our global flagship Paramount+ and Pluto TV products.
With this change, Rob Gelick is leaving the company. Rob has played a critical role in making our streaming platforms and experiences what they are today, and I want to thank him for his incredible contributions to our division. During his 15 years at the company, Rob has spearheaded the launch of CBS All Access and oversaw the rebrand and expansion of Paramount+. Rob has shepherded countless brand milestones for our division. Most recently, Rob and his team expertly managed the integration of Showtime into Paramount+ and the introduction of a new home screen on Pluto TV. Rob has been a trusted partner and friend, and I hope you will join me in wishing him great success in all his future endeavors.
Under Vibol’s direction, the newly merged teams will collaborate closely to identify efficiencies and drive forward new product features and technological innovations that will enhance our direct-to-consumer portfolio and solidify our position as an industry leader.
Thank you for continuing to be nimble and tenacious as we adapt to the industry’s changing tides. I remain confident about the bright future of our streaming platforms and look forward to working with Vibol and the wider organization to make great things happen as we enter the next inning of streaming.
Tom