Rebecca Campbell to lead new international
content creation hub for Company’s DTC platforms as Chairman,
International Content and Operations
Michael Paull promoted to newly created role
overseeing Disney+, ESPN+, Hulu and Star+
Joe Earley named President of Hulu
To support the ongoing expansion of The Walt Disney Company’s
(NYSE: DIS) direct-to-consumer business around the world and fuel
the expanding pipeline of local and regional content for its
streaming services, the Company is creating a new hub for
international content creation under the direction of Rebecca
Campbell as Chairman, International Content and Operations, it was
announced today by Bob Chapek, Chief Executive Officer, The Walt
Disney Company. In addition, the Company is making several key
executive appointments to its Disney Media & Entertainment
Distribution (DMED) segment under the leadership of its Chairman,
Kareem Daniel.
- Ms. Campbell, in her newly expanded role as Chairman,
International Content and Operations, will focus on local and
regional content production for Disney’s streaming services, as
well as continue overseeing Disney’s international media teams
worldwide, reporting directly to Mr. Chapek. The International
Content and Operations group will be home to a fourth
content-creation engine for the Company, alongside the Studios
Content, General Entertainment Content and Sports Content
groups.
- Michael Paull has been promoted to the newly-created role of
President, Disney Streaming, with accountability for Disney+, Hulu,
ESPN+, and Star+, and will oversee these platforms globally for
Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution, reporting to Mr.
Daniel.
- Joe Earley, who previously served as Executive Vice President,
Marketing & Operations for Disney+, has been named President of
Hulu, and will report to Mr. Paull.
- The streaming leadership team will also include a new head of
Disney+, who has yet to be named, filling a role that Mr. Paull
held previously. Russell Wolff continues to serve as head of ESPN+.
These roles will also report to Mr. Paull.
“Disney’s direct-to-consumer efforts have progressed at a
tremendous pace in just a few short years, and our organization has
continued to grow and evolve in support of our ambitious global
streaming strategy,” Mr. Chapek said. “Rebecca has played a vital
role in orchestrating our global platform expansion, and I’m
excited that she will be leading our new International Content
group, bringing her expertise and talent to oversee the growing
pipeline of original local and regional content for our streaming
services while continuing to lead our international operations.
Likewise, with a relentless focus on serving consumers, Kareem has
developed an industry-leading team of seasoned executives who are
uniquely equipped to take our streaming business into Disney’s next
century.”
Since the launch of Disney+ in late 2019, the Company’s
streaming business has expanded rapidly, with 179 million total
subscriptions across Disney+, ESPN+ and Hulu as of the end of
fiscal 2021, and plans to more than double the number of countries
Disney+ is in to over 160 by fiscal 2023. Disney is also investing
significantly in the creation of original local and regional
content for its streaming services, with more than 340 titles
already in various stages of development and production.
“Great content is what drives the success of our streaming
services, and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work even
more closely with the talented creators in our international
markets who are producing new stories with local relevance to
delight our audiences around the globe,” Ms. Campbell said. “Disney
is admired the world over for the quality of our storytelling and
the deep emotional connection we have with our consumers, and I am
honored to continue leading our international teams as we build on
that legacy.”
In her new role as Chairman, International Content and
Operations, Ms. Campbell will be responsible for expanding the
international content creation pipeline, amplifying the Company’s
localized content strategy. She will continue to oversee the
Company’s teams in Asia Pacific, EMEA, India and Latin America who
manage the Company’s international linear channels, regional
streaming, local ad sales, and local distribution. Previously, Ms.
Campbell served as Chairman, International Operations and
Direct-to-Consumer, after holding senior leadership roles across
Disney’s media, international and parks businesses during a nearly
25-year tenure.
“From the inception of our DTC business, we have been guided by
a single, clear goal--to bring audiences the best entertainment
wherever and whenever they choose--and we have continued to build a
world-class team to deliver on that promise,” Mr. Daniel said.
“Michael Paull has deep experience in the world of streaming, and
is an accomplished leader with a passion for this business and a
proven track record of building and expanding our streaming
operations. Bringing Disney’s streaming platforms together under
Michael’s expert leadership will allow us to create an even more
compelling value proposition for consumers.”
Mr. Paull will have accountability for the Disney Media &
Entertainment Distribution direct-to-consumer platforms globally,
and will also oversee Disney Streaming’s industry-leading product,
technology, data science, operations, and viewer experience teams.
He joined Disney in 2017 as part of the acquisition of Bamtech
Media, where he served as CEO, and he and his team have been
central to the Company’s pivot into the direct-to-consumer space,
launching ESPN+ in 2018, followed by the launch and rapid global
expansion of Disney+ in 2019, and the launch of Star+ in Latin
America in August 2021. Prior to Bamtech, Mr. Paull spent five
years at Amazon as Vice President, Digital Video, where he ran
Amazon Channels worldwide, and he has held a number of other senior
leadership positions at leading media companies over the course of
his 20-plus year career.
Said Mr. Paull: “Now that we have established our platforms as
category leaders, I’m looking forward to the new challenges ahead
as we continue to innovate and scale globally, while delighting
consumers with all the incredible entertainment and sports
programming coming from our content partners. I’ve also had the
pleasure of working closely with Joe Earley these past few years
and can’t imagine a better leader to take the helm of Hulu.”
In his new role as President of Hulu, Mr. Earley will build on
the general-entertainment service’s reputation as a marquee
destination for popular, award-winning original series and films,
and live TV. Mr. Earley joined Disney+ in January of 2019 as
Executive Vice President of Marketing and Operations, and in
January of 2021 added oversight of global content curation for the
flagship streaming service. Prior to joining Disney+, Mr. Earley
served as President of The Jackal Group, where he oversaw all areas
of the studio's television, film, commercial theater and digital
divisions. Prior to that, he served in numerous roles in his
two-decade career with Fox, where he last served as Chief Operating
Officer for Fox Television Group.
“I am excited to embark on this new era at Hulu, a streaming
pioneer that over the past 15 years has distinguished itself with
an unrivaled offering of groundbreaking, award-winning series and
films from our talented content partners,” Mr. Earley said. “I have
been a longtime Hulu subscriber and fan and have admired the
unbridled creativity of the service’s content and culture, and I’m
looking forward to the exciting opportunities that lie ahead,
collaborating with our content studios, and tapping into the full
power and strength of The Walt Disney Company.”
The Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution segment
delivers the Company’s unparalleled storytelling to audiences
worldwide across theatrical, streaming, and linear platforms, and
is responsible for the monetization of content from the Company's
content engines. This includes P&L management and operations of
the Company’s portfolio of streaming services; its linear
television channels and the ABC-owned stations; theatrical film
distribution; content licensing and distribution; and global
advertising sales.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this communication may be deemed to be
“forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Federal
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act, including statements such
as future business and content pipeline expansion; the future
number of countries in which direct-to-consumer products are
planned to be offered; continued direct-to-consumer growth;
relevance of future content; goals, promises, and their anticipated
execution; future consumer value proposition; future innovation,
reputation, and opportunities; and other statements that are not
historical in nature. These statements are made on the basis of
management’s views and assumptions regarding future events and
business performance as of the time the statements are made.
Management does not undertake any obligation to update these
statements.
Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or
implied. Such differences may result from actions taken by the
Company, including strategic initiatives or other business
decisions and content and expansion decisions, as well as from
developments beyond the Company’s control, including changes in
domestic and global economic conditions, competitive conditions,
and consumer preferences; health concerns; international,
regulatory, political, or military developments; technological
developments; and labor matters; each such risk includes the
current and future impacts of, and is amplified by, COVID-19 and
related mitigation efforts.
Such developments may further affect entertainment businesses
generally and may, among other things, affect (or further affect,
as applicable): demand for our products and services; the
performance of the Company’s content; advertising markets; and
performance of some or all Company businesses either directly or
through their impact on those who distribute our products.
Additional factors are set forth in the Company’s Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the year ended October 2, 2021 and subsequent
reports.
View source
version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220119005779/en/
David Jefferson Corporate Communications (818) 560-4832
david.j.jefferson@disney.com
Walt Disney (NYSE:DIS)
Historical Stock Chart
From Mar 2024 to Apr 2024
Walt Disney (NYSE:DIS)
Historical Stock Chart
From Apr 2023 to Apr 2024