The world of entertainment is no stranger to drama—these days, however, some of the biggest storylines are playing out not on screen, but in HR departments across the industry. From layoffs rocking legacy studios to the push for flexible work cultures in tech-media hybrids, HR is at the center of the action. Let’s dive into the most buzzworthy real-world trends shaping human resources in entertainment today.
Hollywood Layoffs and the ‘Exist ‘til ’26’ Mindset
In 2025, the entertainment industry is still catching its breath after a string of body blows: the pandemic, writers’ and actors’ strikes, and a seismic shift away from traditional TV to streaming. Major studios like Disney, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Paramount Global have all announced new rounds of layoffs. Disney cut hundreds of jobs both in the U.S. and overseas; Paramount let go of several hundred domestic employees, and Warner Bros. trimmed dozens of positions. The message from the break room to the boardroom is clear: it’s not just about surviving anymore, it’s about existing another year.
Employees are now joking—at least, with gallows humor—that the old mantra “survive ‘til ‘25” has been replaced with “exist ‘til ‘26.” This reflects a bleaker reality than many expected after the optimistic recovery forecasts last year. HR teams are walking a tightrope, trying to support anxious workforces while guiding companies through painful restructuring. The shift to streaming, plummeting ad revenues, and even external pressures like political lawsuits and tariffs are forcing HR to get creative to keep morale afloat.
Spotify and the Future of Remote Work
On a brighter note, not everyone in entertainment is hunkering down in survival mode. Spotify, the Swedish streaming giant, has made big waves with its HR leadership. Anna Lundström, Spotify’s new Chief Human Resources Officer, is betting heavily on remote work and wellness as core pillars of the company’s strategy. She’s not just paying lip service to these values—Spotify is actually embedding them into how teams function every day.
Lundström shares a vision where flexible work arrangements aren’t a perk but a baseline. Spotify is also rolling out AI tools to help HR teams manage workloads more efficiently, giving employees more breathing room to focus on creativity rather than bureaucracy. In a world where burnout is common, Lundström’s approach is like giving employees a fresh set of batteries—and a roadmap to recharge whenever they need it.
HR Acuity: Culture Champions
Shifting focus to the HR tech world, HR Acuity is making headlines for all the right reasons. The company just snagged its sixth consecutive Great Place To Work certification. Deb Muller, founder and CEO, describes the certification as more than a trophy—it’s a reflection of a workplace where people genuinely enjoy showing up.
Eighty-seven percent of HR Acuity’s employees say it’s a great place to work, which is a whopping 30 points higher than the average U.S. company. That’s not just feel-good fluff. Studies show that companies with strong cultures see better retention, more innovation, and even a boost in revenue. HR Acuity’s secret sauce? Authentic leadership, intentional culture-building, and a commitment to inclusivity. Muller emphasizes that when people feel connected to each other and a larger purpose, great outcomes follow naturally—almost like magic, but with a business plan.
Tech and Media: The Looming Impact of AI
If there’s one trend lurking behind every HR decision in entertainment today, it’s artificial intelligence. According to recent surveys, about 41% of global companies expect to shrink their workforces over the next five years due to AI. In practice, this means jobs are being cut not just because of budgets, but because of automation and new efficiencies.
The effects ripple across all departments—but HR is especially challenged. On one hand, automation can free up time for more meaningful work. On the other, it means tough conversations about job security. Companies like CNN, Dropbox, and Block have already cited AI as a reason for layoffs, while new job hotspots are popping up in big data, fintech, and AI itself.
HR leaders in entertainment are now asking: how do we help employees step into these new, often tech-heavy roles? And how do we help those left behind by automation transition to new paths? It’s a puzzle with no easy answers—but it’s one every HR team is trying to solve.
A Tale of Two Workforces
What’s fascinating about entertainment HR today is the stark contrast between those companies that are pulling back and those that are doubling down on their people. For every studio announcing layoffs, there’s a Spotify or HR Acuity showing that a thriving culture can be more than just a glossy brochure promise.
In the end, the lesson is clear: HR isn’t just about hiring, firing, or shuffling paperwork. It’s about building workplaces where people can weather storms, reinvent themselves, and—when everything clicks—maybe even have a little fun along the way. The spotlight is on HR leaders to shape the stories we’ll be telling about the future of work for years to come.
References:
- https://fortune.com/2025/06/12/spotify-hr-leader-anna-lundstrom-remote-work-wellness-c-suite/
- https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2025-06-15/why-hollywood-studios-are-still-downsizing
- https://intellizence.com/insights/layoff-downsizing/major-companies-that-announced-mass-layoffs/
- https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hr-acuity-earns-2025-great-place-to-work-certification-for-sixth-consecutive-year-302481435.html
- https://www.cbsnews.com/news/paramount-layoffs-3-5-percent-economy-television-cable-challenges/
- https://upcea.edu/resources/
- https://www.businessinsider.com/recent-company-layoffs-laying-off-workers-2025
- https://www.nea.org/sites/default/files/2025-06/nea_handbook_online_2025_0.pdf
