Warner Bros. explores suing Amazon for 'stealing' execs
Brothers Exploration Company has officially A lawsuit was filed accusing the tech giant of orchestrating a "lawless employee purchasing spree" that systematically poached executives under their contracts. The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on July 21, brings to the forefront the conflict between Hollywood’s traditional talent contract system and Silicon Valley’s flexible employment methods. At the center of the lawsuit is Pia Barlow, former executive vice president of original marketing at HBO Max. Warner Bros. pointed out that Barlow's employment contract is valid until October 31, 2027, and she has "expressly promised" to work until the expiration date. However, Amazon intervened more than a year before she joined, eventually prompting her to resign in June this year and will become the head of marketing for Amazon's MGM Studios series on August 3. In its complaint, Warner Bros. used fiery rhetoric to accuse Amazon of luring contract workers into "unscrupulous" breaches of contract and promising to provide them with legal protection and fees. Warner Bros. also said Amazon had unsuccessfully tried to poach another executive who had a contract through the end of 2027 and was still targeting other employees. Warner Bros. is seeking unspecified damages and an injunction barring Amazon from hiring any of its contracted workers until their contracts expire. Amazon-MGM Studios declined to comment on the lawsuit.