On June 26, 2024, Hallmark Media announced that Anaïs Lempereur, a former Paramount employee, will take over as the company's new CFO in August 2024. Lempereur will report to Jim Shay, CFO of Hallmark, having most recently served as SVP, streaming finance, and CFO for Paramount's Pluto TV. Her hiring comes after a period of notable management change at Hallmark Media, which included the departure of many C-suite executives and the ascension of former CFO John Matts to COO. Lempereur brings a wealth of experience from her previous roles at Sweetgreen and Spotify, where she held senior financial positions.
Lempereur’s move to Hallmark Media is part of a broader exodus of executives from Paramount, which has been undergoing substantial leadership changes. Bob Bakish, the CEO of Paramount, and other prominent figures have left the company as it looks to lower its debt and decrease streaming losses. To oversee its operations throughout these changes, the massive entertainment company established the "Office of the CEO." In Q1 2024, Paramount claimed a decrease of losses in its direct-to-consumer division, despite these obstacles. Recognized for its romantic and Christmas films, Hallmark Media is attempting to preserve stability and development while managing internal leadership changes.
