Warner Bros. Discovery has filled a key role in its C-suite, hiring the general counsel of American Airlines Group as its chief legal officer.
Priya Aiyar, who had spent five years at the airline, will take over the top role overseeing legal and compliance functions at the studio conglomerate, the company said Friday. Aiyar will succeed Savalle Sims, who had been with CEO David Zaslav’s leadership team at Discovery since 2011.
Sims helped guide Discovery as it navigated a series of major deals, including its $11.9 billion deal for Scripps Networks Interactive, adding HGTV and Food Network to the company’s portfolio, which closed in 2018. And the exec stayed on through the $43 billion megadeal that spun off Time Warner assets from AT&T to Discovery when that merger closed in 2022. The exec exited the role at the end of last year.
At American Airlines, Aiyar oversaw labor relations and worked closely with the board while navigating the transportation giant’s response through the COVID-19 pandemic years. Earlier roles have included time as acting general counsel and deputy general counsel for the U.S. Department of the Treasury, and deputy general counsel for the U.S. Department of Energy.
“There has never been a more important moment for WBD and our industry to have the brightest minds, most experienced practitioners and proven leaders, and Priya personifies those traits,” said Warners CEO David Zaslav. “Priya’s wealth of knowledge and strategic capabilities will help us to smartly navigate the opportunities and ongoing evolution ahead this year and beyond as we pursue global growth in streaming, a return to excellence at our studios, and optimization of our linear business. She will be an exceptional addition to our management team.”
Aiyar also worked as a clerk for Judge Merrick Garland (currently the attorney general in the Biden administration) on the Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit and for Justice Stephen Breyer on the Supreme Court.