This week’s edition tracks how leaders are reshaping strategy through media rights, governance reforms, board appointments, workplace policy, and geopolitics. Paramount’s UFC deal signals a bolder streaming play tied to film output and live sports. McKinsey’s new leadership model aims to cool succession drama. BP’s chair pick links governance directly to execution. Starbucks tightens in-office expectations to reinforce culture. Intel faces Washington scrutiny that blends national security with executive accountability.
Together, these stories show how boards and executives are balancing growth bets with discipline, and culture building with transparency. The common thread is clarity. Clear roles, clear terms, clear operating rhythms, and clear stakeholder messaging help organizations move faster without losing trust.
Paramount Skydance Lands Exclusive UFC Rights And Lays Out A Tech-Forward Plan
Paramount, now under Skydance and CEO David Ellison, closed a seven-year, $7.7 billion agreement that makes Paramount+ the exclusive U.S. home of UFC beginning in 2026. Numbered cards and Fight Nights will be included in the subscription, with select events simulcast on CBS to widen reach. The move follows completion of the Skydance merger and pairs increased film output with premium live sports. Leadership is also signaling heavier use of AI across development and streaming experiences. Analysts view the package as both a growth bet and a calculated subscriber strategy in a crowded market.
Source: CNBC
Mckinsey Rewires How It Elects Leaders To Minimize Succession Drama
McKinsey will elect its global managing partner to a single six-year term with a confirmation vote after four years, replacing shorter renewable terms. The firm is also shrinking its board, adding an independent chair, and asking directors to drop external roles to sharpen focus on governance. These steps follow contentious recent elections and are designed to reduce internal politics and raise accountability. The changes aim to professionalize oversight while keeping partner voice intact. The goal is stability without sacrificing speed or ownership.
Source: Global Relay Intelligence & Practice
BP Names Albert Manifold As Chair As The Board Leans Into A Strategic Reset
BP appointed former CRH chief executive Albert Manifold as chair, with a board arrival in September as chair-elect and formal handover on October 1. The move aligns with a tilt back toward oil and gas cash flows alongside asset sales and tighter capital discipline. Supporters cite Manifold’s portfolio reshaping experience and focus on returns. Critics question his transition credentials and the balance between legacy hydrocarbons and low-carbon investments. The appointment ties governance directly to strategy and near-term delivery.
Source: BP press release
Starbucks Tightens Its Return-To-Office Policy For Support Centers
Starbucks will shift from three days to a minimum of four days in the office at its Seattle and Toronto support centers and in North America regional offices, starting with the new fiscal year in October 2025. Managers who are not within commuting distance will be expected to relocate on a defined timeline, with program details to follow. Leadership says predictable common days on site will strengthen collaboration and culture. The change underscores how large consumer brands are standardizing hybrid practices at scale. It also signals that role location will be a renewed component of talent planning.
Source: Starbucks
Intel’s Lip Bu Tan faces White House scrutiny
Intel’s Lip Bu Tan is scheduled to meet with the White House after public pressure calling for his resignation over alleged ties to Chinese technology companies. Senator Tom Cotton raised the concerns, and Tan responded internally by reaffirming Intel’s alignment with U.S. economic and security goals. The episode highlights how geopolitical risk increasingly shapes executive oversight in high tech industries. It also shows why boards must anticipate policy pressures when assessing leadership profiles. Expect continued investor attention as the company navigates regulatory and national security expectations.
Source: BBC
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