The Walt Disney Company has announced a strategic reorganisation consolidating the company’s Direct-to-Consumer Services, Technology and International Media Operations into a single, worldwide business, headed by Kevin Mayer.
“We are strategically positioning our businesses for the future, creating a more effective, global framework to serve consumers worldwide, increase growth, and maximize shareholder value,” said Robert A. Iger, chairman and CEO, The Walt Disney Company.
“With our unparalleled Studio and Media Networks serving as content engines for the Company, we are combining the management of our direct-to-consumer distribution platforms, technology and international operations to deliver the entertainment and sports content consumers around the world want most, with more choice, personalization and convenience than ever before.”
Kevin Mayer, who has served as Disney’s Chief Strategy Officer since 2015, has been named chairman of the new Direct-to-Consumer and International business segment.
“Kevin is a proven leader who has played a critical role in bringing together the collection of creative and technological assets that will allow Disney to offer unparalleled entertainment experiences in a direct-to-consumer future,” Iger said. Mayer will continue to report directly to Iger.
The newly created Direct-to-Consumer and International segment will serve as a global, multiplatform media, technology and distribution organisation for content created by Disney’s Studio Entertainment and Media Networks groups. The new segment will be comprised of Disney’s international media businesses and the company’s direct-to-consumer businesses globally, including the upcoming Disney-branded direct-to-consumer streaming service, the company’s ownership stake in Hulu, and its soon-to-be-launched ESPN+ streaming service, programmed in partnership with ESPN.
The Disney-branded direct-to-consumer streaming service, which will launch in late 2019 and has yet to be named, will be the exclusive home for subscription video-on-demand viewing of the newest live-action and animated movies in the Pay TV window from Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Lucasfilm. It will also feature an array of original and series and movie programming, along with thousands of titles from the Disney film and television libraries. SVP Agnes Chu will move to the Direct-to-Consumer and International segment and will continue to oversee programming for the upcoming Disney-branded streaming service.
Bamtech, which is headed by Michael Paull, is developing both the Disney-branded and ESPN+ streaming platforms and will now house all consumer-facing digital technology and products across the company as part of the Direct-to-Consumer and International segment.
Management of global advertising sales for Disney’s media properties, including ESPN, ABC, Freeform and the Disney Channels, will move from Media Networks to the new Direct-to-Consumer and International segment. Rita Ferro, President, Advertising Sales, Disney|ABC Television Group, and Edward Erhardt, President, Global Sales & Marketing, ESPN, will now report directly to Mayer. Advertising technology operations across the company’s media properties will also be managed under the new segment.
In addition, to more closely align with the company’s direct-to-consumer initiatives, the Company’s programme-sales operations headed by Janice Marinelli, including global distribution of film and television content to the Disney-branded direct-to-consumer streaming service, Hulu and other third-party platforms and channels, as well as Movies Anywhere, will be integrated into the Direct-to-Consumer and International business segment. Marinelli will report directly to Mayer.
The Company’s International Channels, including the international Disney Channels, will also be consolidated into the new business segment.
The new Direct-to-Consumer and International business segment will also be responsible for the distribution of all direct-to-consumer services globally.
The Walt Disney International team of regional managers across EMEA (Europe/Middle East/Africa), Asia and Latin America will now report to Mayer.
