Date: October 1, 2025
Effective Start: October 6, 2025
Role: President, Global Products & Experiences
Reporting To: Jeff Shell, President of Paramount Skydance
The Big Picture
With its blockbuster $8 billion merger of Skydance and Paramount now closed, Paramount Skydance is reshuffling and beefing up its leadership roster. Among the moves is the appointment of Josh Silverman as President of Global Products & Experiences — a role that puts him at the center of how stories and intellectual properties (IPs) will be monetized and expanded across merchandise, live experiences, e-commerce, publishing, and partnerships.
This hire is as much strategic as symbolic. Paramount now controls a vast media, TV, and film library. To fully capitalize on that, it needs someone who can bridge content creation with fan engagement, goods, and immersive experiences. Silverman fits that profile, given his track record in consumer products, licensing, and experiential divisions at some of the biggest names in entertainment.
Silverman’s Background: Why It Matters
Silverman's professional arc spans three powerhouse names in entertainment and consumer culture: Marvel, Disney, and Mattel.
- Marvel & Disney: Silverman originally joined Marvel Entertainment’s legal and licensing operations in the early 2000s. When Disney acquired Marvel in 2010, he gained more prominent roles in strategy, business development, and brand management under Disney. Over time, he oversaw consumer products, licensing, retail partnerships, and global franchise expansion.
- Mattel: In 2022, he joined Mattel as Executive Vice President and Chief Franchise Officer, later serving as a key figure in its consumer products, location-based entertainment, and licensing efforts. At Mattel, he spearheaded efforts tied to blockbuster properties like Barbie and Hot Wheels, as well as new live experiences (e.g. exhibits, parks) linked to Mattel’s IPs.
So, Silverman brings an ability to connect story universes with real-world consumer products and fan engagement. For Paramount Skydance, that means someone who can bridge the gap between raw creative content and revenue-making consumer channels.
What He’ll Do — and What Challenges Lie Ahead
In his new role, Silverman's scope will include:
- Consumer Products / Licensing: Running the licensing of characters, franchises, and content to partners, manufacturers, and retail channels.
- Live & Location-Based Experiences: Expanding IP into immersive experiences — theme parks, exhibits, events — that promote brands beyond screens.
- Publishing & E-commerce: Overseeing books, digital content, and direct-to-fan sales (premium merchandise, bundles).
- Partnerships & Collaborations: Working with external brands, cross-promotions, and brand extensions to amplify IP reach.
He’ll be working closely with leaders of Paramount Pictures, Nickelodeon, and other divisions to weave the “storytelling engine” more tightly with consumer facing strategies. He’ll also report to Jeff Shell, the President of Paramount Skydance.
Challenges ahead:
- Bridging legacy with innovation: Paramount’s rich IP portfolio (old and new) will require careful balancing — reanimating legacy brands while growing new ones.
- Integration post-merger: The merger between Paramount and Skydance still needs operational alignment. Silos, culture shifts, and tech infrastructure will be issues.
- Market competition: Every major studio and entertainment conglomerate is pushing the merchandise + experience model. Standing out will require creativity, speed, and strong partnerships.
- Global footprint & local sensitivity: Managing licensing, regulations, and tastes across markets (e.g., U.S., Europe, Asia, Africa) is always complex.
- Risk management: Overextending with bad partnerships or low-quality products can harm brand equity; consumer backlash is possible if licensing misfires.
Quotes & Reactions
From Silverman himself, as quoted in press releases:
“I’m incredibly energized by the entrepreneurial spirit across Paramount. As we build global ecosystems for fans, there’s an extraordinary opportunity to unlock new value by leveraging renowned IP … I’m excited to collaborate across teams to deepen the emotional connection between audiences and the brands, franchises, and characters they love.”
From Jeff Shell:
“Josh brings a combination of strategic vision, deep industry experience, and a proven track record of driving global growth across beloved brands and franchises. We are excited to see him harness Paramount’s world-class library … and fuel the expansion of our consumer products and experiences businesses.”
An interesting side note: Pam Kaufman, who had been leading international consumer products efforts at Paramount, is leaving her position around this time. Her exit creates a vacuum that Silverman is stepping into.
What This Signals for the Industry & for Paramount’s Future
1. A Clear Focus on Monetizing IP Beyond Content.
Paramount Skydance is sending a message: great content is only part of the equation; the real value comes when stories extend into everyday life via products, experiences, and fandom. Silverman’s hire underscores this priority.
2. The Merger Isn’t Just Cosmetic — It’s Strategic.
As Skydance’s acquisition of Paramount solidifies, new leadership is being placed to drive integration and modernization. Salvaging, optimizing, or reconfiguring legacy divisions will likely follow. This appointment is one piece of that larger transformation.
3. Expect Moves — Fast.
We may see announcements of new branded experiences, licensing deals, merchandise partnerships, or even flagship “Paramount-themed” attractions in the next 12–24 months. Silverman’s history suggests he’ll push for visible, high-impact projects early to establish momentum.
4. Platform & Distribution Integration Will Matter.
Beyond just assigning someone to run merchandise, for Silverman to succeed, he needs infrastructure — data systems, e-commerce platforms, supply chain pipelines, global licensing frameworks — and alignment with streaming, theatrical, and media units. The real test will be in execution, not name titles.
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