After Paramount‘s first week back in the office, CEO David Ellison expressed appreciation to his employees for coming in.
“I know that returning to the office full-time has been an adjustment for many, and I truly appreciate the flexibility and commitment you’ve shown,” Ellison said in an email on Friday, according to Business Insider. “The positive energy and increased productivity that come from being together in-person are already evident, and it’s great to see.”
In September, Ellison sent a companywide memo to employees of Paramount Pictures, CBS, Paramount+, Showtime, Nickelodeon, MTV, BET, and Comedy Central stating a policy requiring full-time staffers to work in the office by January 2026, five days a week, on-site in New York and Los Angeles. Severance packages were offered for staffers who didn’t comply.
Ellison continued to note the strategies the company has acted on since he officially became CEO in August.
“While the coming year will bring its share of challenges, it will also be exciting. We’ve set ambitious goals, and we’re confident we have the strategy, the momentum, and — most importantly — the team to achieve them,” the Skydance mogul wrote. “Your expertise, resilience, and commitment give me tremendous confidence in what we can accomplish. I am grateful for your efforts and incredibly proud to work alongside you.”
Paramount isn’t alone in following a return to office mandate. Warner Bros. Discovery and Lionsgate have also followed an in-office policy, among other companies.
See Ellison’s full message to employees below, according to Business Insider.
Team Paramount,
As we wrap up our first week back together in our LA and NY offices, I want to thank each of you for your dedication, professionalism, and teamwork. I know that returning to the office full-time has been an adjustment for many, and I truly appreciate the flexibility and commitment you’ve shown. The positive energy and increased productivity that come from being together in-person are already evident, and it’s great to see.
A special thank you to our RTO Task Force and all the teams involved for their hard work behind the scenes to prepare for our return and to ensure the transition was smooth and welcoming for everyone.
It’s hard to believe we launched the new Paramount just five months ago, and in that short time we haven’t just set a strategy — we’ve acted on it. In the process, we’ve made real and meaningful progress against our North Star priorities. From day one, our goal has been clear: to transform Paramount for the future by championing great storytellers, investing in world-class technology, and making bold, thoughtful moves that position us to help define the next era of entertainment. That’s exactly what we’ve been doing — and it’s what we’ll continue to do together.
While the coming year will bring its share of challenges, it will also be exciting. We’ve set ambitious goals, and we’re confident we have the strategy, the momentum, and — most importantly — the team to achieve them. Your expertise, resilience, and commitment give me tremendous confidence in what we can accomplish. I am grateful for your efforts and incredibly proud to work alongside you.
Thanks again for a great first week back together. Let’s go!
Best,
David
