When Dana Walden takes the reins as Disney’s new President and Chief Creative Officer on March 18, she’ll oversee a restructured Disney Entertainment that adds games and digital entertainment alongside film, television, and streaming.
Walden Restructures Disney Entertainment
According to the official press release, while Walden will report exclusively to incoming CEO Josh D’Amaro, she will oversee seven senior executives:
Alan Bergman, chairman of Disney Entertainment Studios, oversees all aspects of the company’s film studios, including production, marketing, and distribution, and maintains shared oversight of Direct to Consumer with Walden
Joe Earley and Adam Smith, co-presidents of Direct to Consumer, share responsibility for strategy and financial performance across Disney+ and Hulu. Earley also serves as head of content strategy for Direct to Consumer, while Smith works as chief product and technology officer for Disney Entertainment and for ESPN.
Debra OConnell will take on the newly-created role of chairman of Disney Entertainment Television, overseeing the television brands, including ABC Entertainment (including ABC News and ABC Owned Television Stations), Disney Branded Television, Hulu Originals, National Geographic Content, and creative for 20th Television and 20th Television Animation.
Sean Shoptaw, EVP, Games and Digital Entertainment, oversees the company’s Games business and its collaboration with Epic Games.
John Landgraf, Chairman of FX.
Asad Ayaz, Disney’s first-ever Chief Marketing and Brand Officer, will report both to D’Amaro and Walden.
Walden will officially take up her new position on March 18, the same day Josh D’Amaro will take over as Disney CEO. Her priorities in her new position as President and Chief Creative Officer of The Walt Disney Company will include incorporating AI into movie production and improving streaming profits.
See incoming Disney leaders Josh D’Amaro and Dana Walden talk about their upcoming roles at the Academy Awards on March 15: