Disney is bringing its streaming, film, television and games operations together under a new leadership structure led by Dana Walden, as the company reshapes its entertainment business ahead of a new management era.
The move sees Walden take oversight of Disney Entertainment in her incoming role as president and chief creative officer of The Walt Disney Company from March 18, reporting directly to new CEO Josh D’Amaro.
Under the reorganisation, Alan Bergman will continue as chairman of Disney Entertainment, Studios, retaining oversight of the company’s film production, marketing and distribution activities, while also sharing responsibility for direct-to-consumer operations with Walden.
Joe Earley and Adam Smith have been named co-presidents of Direct to Consumer, taking joint responsibility for strategy and financial performance across Disney+ and Hulu. Earley will also lead content strategy for the DTC unit, while Smith continues as chief product and technology officer for Disney Entertainment and ESPN.
Disney has also created a new post of chairman, Disney Entertainment Television, with Debra O’Connell appointed to the role. She will oversee ABC Entertainment, Disney Branded Television, Hulu Originals, National Geographic Content and creative for 20th Television and 20th Television Animation, while retaining responsibility for ABC News and the ABC Owned Television Stations.
In a further sign of the company’s growing interest in interactive media, Sean Shoptaw, EVP of Games and Digital Entertainment, and his team will now sit within Disney Entertainment, reporting to Walden. Shoptaw oversees Disney’s games business and its collaboration with Epic Games on a Disney universe connected to Fortnite.
John Landgraf remains chairman of FX and will continue to report directly to Walden.
Asad Ayaz, Disney’s chief marketing and brand officer, will report to both D’Amaro and Walden, while continuing to lead teams across Disney’s business segments.
Walden said the new structure was designed to reflect the way audiences increasingly engage with Disney brands and storytelling across multiple platforms.
“As fans engage with Disney across more formats and platforms than ever before, we are bringing together the full power of our creative businesses to build an even more connected experience for audiences,” she said.
The changes mark one of the first major structural moves under Disney’s incoming leadership team and underline the strategic importance of streaming and digital experiences alongside the company’s traditional film and television businesses.
