The Walt Disney Company Creates International Content Group to Expand Pipeline of Local Content and Continue to Grow Its Global Direct-To-Consumer Business

Rhea-AI Summary

The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS) is enhancing its direct-to-consumer strategy by establishing a new international content creation hub. Rebecca Campbell will lead this initiative as Chairman, International Content and Operations. Michael Paull has been appointed President of Disney Streaming, overseeing Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+, and Star+. Joe Earley has been named President of Hulu. Disney's streaming services have grown rapidly, with 179 million subscriptions as of fiscal 2021, and plans to expand to over 160 countries by fiscal 2023, supported by over 340 original titles in development.

Positive

• Creation of an international content hub to enhance localized content strategy.
• Appointment of experienced executives to lead Disney's streaming platforms.
• Strong growth in subscriptions, with 179 million across all streaming services.
• Plans to expand Disney+ to over 160 countries by fiscal 2023.

Negative

• None.

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

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- 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

Source: The Walt Disney Company

FAQ

What is the new role of Rebecca Campbell at Disney?

Rebecca Campbell has been appointed Chairman, International Content and Operations, overseeing a new international content creation hub.

Who is in charge of Disney's streaming services after the recent executive changes?

Michael Paull has been promoted to President of Disney Streaming, responsible for Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+, and Star+.

How many total subscriptions does Disney have across its streaming platforms?

As of fiscal 2021, Disney has 179 million total subscriptions across Disney+, ESPN+, and Hulu.

What are Disney's plans for global expansion of its streaming services?

Disney plans to expand Disney+ to over 160 countries by fiscal 2023.

How many original titles is Disney developing for its streaming services?

Disney is developing over 340 original titles for its streaming services.