Jackie Gagné, senior vice president of multicultural marketing at HBO and Max, is leaving her position after four years.
Her elimination is part of job cuts announced at Warner Bros. Discovery, the parent company of HBO and Max, in July. The same multicultural marketing team will remain and will transition to the leadership of HBO and Max executive vice president Pia Barlow. The company does not anticipate any disruption to work, as the two teams have previously worked closely together on projects.
Gagné has served as senior vice president of multicultural marketing at HBO and Max since June 2020, and has been with Warner Bros. Discovery since 2011. She has led strategy and planning for marketing initiatives to increase engagement among Black, Latinx, Asian American and LGBTQ consumers with Max.
She played a key role in developing HBO and Max’s multicultural marketing strategy and oversaw targeted merchandising efforts to support dozens of original series, films and specials including “Insecure,” “A Black Lady Sketch Show” and “The Last of Us.” Gagne also led the launch of three social media initiatives to help amplify and celebrate diverse talent and stories: Scene In Black, Human By Orientation and Pa’lante!.
“I am incredibly grateful to Jackie for the thoughtful leadership and expertise she has brought to HBO and Max over the past 13 years,” said Zach Enterlin, executive vice president of brand and creative content, HBO and Max. “Her talent for crafting campaigns that authentically resonate with diverse audiences has been influential throughout her career here, and her legacy will live on through the many people she has exceptionally coached and mentored.”
“It has been a pleasure to lead and work alongside such a smart, thoughtful, and innovative group of colleagues,” Ghani added. “HBO has always been a symbol of status and unmissable cultural moments, so being able to oversee campaigns that reach, embrace, and uplift so many audiences, while celebrating these stories, has been a true turning point in my career. I am incredibly grateful for the impactful work our team has accomplished and the lifelong friendships that have been formed.”
Jani serves on the Board of Directors of ColorComm, a leading national platform addressing diversity and inclusion in communications, marketing, media and advertising, is co-chair of the ANA Multicultural Marketing and Diversity Committee and a member of Ad Age's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council.
The daughter of Cuban immigrants, Ghani earned a bachelor's degree in English from Binghamton University. She lives in Maplewood, New Jersey.
