Ximena Salazar Hanna

• Lead end-to-end financial planning and performance management, including LRP/MRP, annual budget, rolling forecasts, monthly flash, and BVA reporting, delivering timely and actionable insights on revenue, margins, and key business drivers
• Maintain full P&L ownership and visibility across a diversified portfolio, including Theatrical, Digital (TVOD/EST), OTT (SVOD/AVOD/FAST), Physical Distribution, Podcast, Ad Sales, and Technology (SaaS/PaaS), ensuring alignment between financial performance and strategic objectives
• Partner with Accounting to support monthly, quarterly, and year-end close, ensuring accuracy across revenue recognition, content amortization, royalty accounting, and cost allocations, and tightly linking actuals to forecasts and variance analysis
• M&A- Play a key role in executing strategic transactions and investments, leading financial modeling, valuation, and scenario analysis to assess strategic fit and return profiles
• Develop integrated deal models, including revenue build-ups, cost structures, and synergy identification across content, distribution, and technology platforms
• Partner cross-functionally with Legal, Accounting, and business leaders to support diligence, deal structuring, and evaluation of commercial terms
• Support post-transaction planning and performance tracking, ensuring alignment between deal assumptions, operating plans, and financial reporting
• Drive complex revenue forecasting and variance analysis across multiple monetization models, including box office, transactional, subscription, ad-supported, licensing, and SaaS revenue streams
• Lead monthly flash and BVA processes, identifying risks and opportunities early, explaining variances vs. budget/forecast, and driving corrective actions with business leaders
• Partner with Ad Sales and Distribution teams to optimize ad-supported revenue performance, improving CPMs, fill rates, yield, and programmatic monetization across AVOD/FAST and digital platforms
• Oversee content economics and ultimates, evaluating investment decisions, amortization profiles, and ROI across film and digital content portfolios
• Deliver executive, board-level, and investor-facing reporting, translating complex financial and operational data into clear, decision-driving insights
• Partner cross-functionally with Content, Sales, Technology, Distribution, and Business Affairs to align financial planning with programming strategy, revenue growth, and operational execution
• Lead finance transformation initiatives, enhancing systems, automating reporting, and improving forecasting accuracy and speed of insights across the organization
• Identify and execute opportunities to optimize cost structure, improve margins, and scale revenue across both traditional and emerging business lines

Expertise: Executive FP&A Leadership, Strategic Planning (MRP/LRP), M&A Evaluation & Modeling, Investor Value Creation, Capital Deployment Strategy, Streaming Economics (ARPU, LTV, Churn), Forecasting, Advanced Excel, Financial Systems Modernization, Cross-Functional Finance Enablement, KPI setting.

• Directed global finance operations across North America, EMEA, LATAM, and Asia, reporting directly to the CFO and partnering with C-suite executives to drive financial strategy and operational excellence.
• Led development and delivery of executive-level management presentations for internal and external stakeholders, enabling clear communication of business performance, forecasts, and growth initiatives.
• Oversaw medium- and long-range planning (MRP/LRP), annual budgets, and monthly forecasts across P&L, cash flow, and key balance sheet accounts.
• Built and managed comprehensive financial models and KPIs (ARPU, LTV, SAC, Churn) to support decision-making across Subscription, Content, E-commerce, and Digital business lines.
• Drove ROI and investment evaluations for new initiatives, marketing spend, digital distribution, and content licensing, supporting profitable growth across all revenue streams.
• Conducted detailed subscription and funnel modeling including billing, revenue recognition, and cost allocation, with a focus on scalability, profitability, and future-state performance.
• Performed in-depth cash flow modeling, CapEx/Opex analysis, and vendor/service cost benchmarking to identify savings and improve contract negotiation outcomes.
• Reviewed and assessed content and digital licensing agreements, providing accounting guidance and ensuring accurate forecasting of revenue, expenses, and Ultimates.
• Partnered with Engineering teams to design financial data marts and models, ensuring finance visibility through automation and scalable analytics solutions.
• Collaborated with Strategy and Corporate Development teams on M&A evaluations, investment diligence, and post-acquisition performance monitoring.
• Led a comprehensive finance transformation initiative, including the re-implementation of NetSuite, standardized chart of accounts, and streamlined financial reporting across global teams.
• Automated reporting workflows and reduced manual processes, significantly increasing accuracy, efficiency, and strategic focus.
• Cultivated cross-functional collaboration with Legal, Shared Services, Tech, and Marketing to align financial objectives with operational execution.
• Negotiated high-value contracts and vendor agreements, delivering cost savings while mitigating organizational risk.

Key Achievements:

• Successfully implemented a global finance transformation strategy, improving reporting speed and accuracy while cutting manual processes by 40%.
• Reengineered financial planning models to enhance forecast accuracy and support executive visibility into P&L, cash flow, and investment ROI.
• Built scalable KPI frameworks and automated dashboards adopted across business units, improving decision-making and performance accountability.

Expertise: Global Finance Strategy, NetSuite Re-Implementation, Financial Modeling, KPI Development, Forecasting & Budgeting, Subscription & Content Economics, M&A Support, Data Automation, CapEx/Opex Management, Contract Negotiation

• Strategically led global Finance and Accounting operations, managing a team of 15+ direct and indirect reports, overseeing financial planning, analysis, and full controllership responsibilities across diverse business lines including Clubs, Events, Sponsorship, Music, Streaming, and Merchandise.
• Directed end-to-end controllership functions, including monthly/quarterly close, consolidation of financials, transactional accounting, roll forwards, and variance analysis to ensure timely and accurate financial reporting in accordance with corporate and regulatory standards.
• Oversaw accounting for P&L, balance sheet, payroll, fixed and variable costs, CapEx, and tax transactions across domestic and international operations.
• Partnered with Business Unit Presidents and GMs to develop annual budgets, capital plans, and monthly forecasts, emphasizing revenue growth, AOI, gross margin, and cost control.
• Reviewed M&A transactions and new business deals, leading onboarding, accounting treatment, compliance setup, and forecasting integration.
• Delivered operational and event-level financial planning, including budgeting, risk assessment, and final settlements—ensuring performance and profitability goals were met.
• Implemented Salesforce for concerts to streamline deal-making and settlement processes, reducing cycle times and improving financial accuracy.
• Designed smart performance dashboards and integrated BPC to improve forecasting, budget tracking, and financial KPI visibility.
• Led finance transformation initiatives: restructured reporting workflows, aligned planning systems with corporate architecture, and reduced reliance on manual processes.
• Executed cost-benefit analyses and optimized cash flow through strategic payment scheduling, improving debt repayment efficiency and reducing interest expenses.
• Established and enforced stronger compliance controls, significantly reducing audit nonconformances and improving readiness for internal/external reviews.
• Managed all audit activities, including audit request fulfillment, risk remediation, and documentation across finance and accounting functions.

Key Achievements:

• Elevated financial close and consolidation processes, improving accuracy and reducing close cycle time.
• Standardized forecasting and control processes, reducing variances and enhancing accountability.
• Enabled cross-departmental alignment on financial goals through improved reporting and operational collaboration.

Expertise: End-to-End Controllership, Consolidations, Close Process, Financial Reporting, Forecasting & Budgeting, Salesforce, BPC, KPI Development, M&A Integration, Audit Management, Tax Compliance, Cost Optimization, Cash Flow Management

• Collaboratively led a cross-functional finance team of 20+ professionals—including Managers, Senior Accountants, Staff Accountants, and Shared Services—driving accuracy, compliance, and operational excellence across all financial functions.
• Oversaw end-to-end controllership, including monthly financial close, consolidation of results, and preparation of internal and external reporting, ensuring accuracy and compliance with GAAP, FASB, Sarbanes-Oxley, and SEC regulations.
• Delivered key financial insights and ad-hoc analysis to Market Presidents and functional leaders, supporting data-driven decisions on show profitability, AOI, per-cap performance, and long-term projections.
• Managed the full budgeting and forecasting cycle in collaboration with the VP of Finance, producing monthly and annual plans with an emphasis on cost control, revenue optimization, and strategic investment.
• Led the implementation and enforcement of financial reporting policies and internal controls to safeguard assets, ensure transparency, and align with corporate and regulatory standards.
• Acted as primary liaison for all internal and external audit requests, managing audit deliverables, remediation actions, and risk compliance documentation.
• Directed comprehensive P&L and balance sheet reviews, including show-level profitability, capex tracking, and cost-benefit analysis for major investments.
• Managed payroll operations for both permanent and seasonal employees, ensuring accuracy and compliance with organizational policies and audit requirements.
• Oversaw capital expenditure planning and reporting, assessing project feasibility, capital eligibility, and alignment with budgeted thresholds and ROI expectations.

Key Achievements:

• Improved month-end close accuracy and reduced close cycle time through process streamlining and staff upskilling.
• Strengthened internal controls and reporting reliability, contributing to clean audit results and reduced risk exposure.
• Developed show-level financial performance models that improved event forecasting and profitability analysis.

Expertise: Financial Close & Consolidation, Controllership, GAAP/SEC Compliance, Internal Controls, Forecasting & Budgeting, CapEx Analysis, Audit Coordination, AOI & Show-Level Profitability, Payroll Management, Financial Policy Implementation, Staff Leadership & Development

• Spearheaded corporate accounting operations and functions that included P&L, balance sheet, intercompany transactions, and other accounting processes
• Manage corporate accounting functions, including P&L, Balance Sheet, Intercompany transactions, Restructuring accounting and employee bonuses
• Oversee the preparation of domestic and international consolidated financial statements, supporting bridging accounting results to underlying operational drivers, supporting month end close and perform analytical review and present results to Executive team
• Partner with SEC and Financial Reporting teams to research and analyze accounting treatment of significant and/or unusual transactions
• Responsible for monthly/quarterly financial close activities, including review of journal entries, reconciliations, cash flow, P&L and Balance Sheet analysis
• Manage compliance with internal control policies including identification and remediation of deficiencies
• Partner with operating units to drive continuous improvement in the reporting process
• Manage process improvements, data automation and workflow streamline
• These efforts resulted in cost savings, processing time reductions and efficient reporting in the General Ledger, Accounts Receivable and Fixed Assets areas
• Responsible for internal and external audits
• Provide internal and external audit requests in connection with annual audit and quarterly reviews
• Lead financial system conversion of related financial reporting packages from Oracle to HFM
• Manage post-acquisition processes between DreamWorks Animation and NBCU

• Collaboratively built and led a talented team of accounting/financial professionals
• Supported the analysis of financial data that drove financial modeling and planning activities
• Analyze and summarize financial data while designing and maintaining financial models and databases
• Perform a wide range of ad-hoc analyses and research related to revenue streams, including performance trending, gross margin, and forecasting
• Lead the implementation of process improvement methodologies to strengthen performance
• Work with various departments to build scalable processes and drive best practices
• Responsible for monthly financial close activities, including journal entries and account reconciliations review
• Review monthly variance analysis (actual/forecast/plan) / close package and present financial results to senior management
• Review different revenue streams, expenses, bad debt and A/R, for Pay Per View, VOD, EST, Subscriptions, Sports, Ad sales and Royalties to determine accounting treatment in accordance with GAAP
• Review agreements and determine accounting treatment
• Work with Senior Director to evaluate, recommend and implement new financial accounting policies, procedures, and controls
• Responsible for internal and external audits
• Lead financial system conversion and process automation by managing design, testing and implementation (BW, TM1, SAP and internal systems)
• Manage post-acquisition processes, system and data integration between AT&T and DIRECTV