The FX boss will now oversee National Geographic and Onyx Collective, while the ABC programming head will oversee Freeform.
Disney Entertainment Co-Chairman Dana Walden has strengthened its senior leadership team, expanding the scope of John Landgraf and Simran Sethi.
Under the reorganization, the FX boss will include National Geographic and Onyx Collective under its oversight. Tara Duncan, former president of Freeform and Onyx Collective, will focus specifically on Onyx, which remains a “huge priority” for the company as its roster of creators and series continues to grow. Meanwhile, Courtney Munroe, president of National Geographic, will continue to focus on Nat Geo, including its original content strategy along with its digital footprint and iconic magazine.
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As part of the changes, Sethi will now oversee Freeform programming and development, which will be combined with ABC Entertainment. Sethi will report to Craig Erwich, President of ABC Entertainment and Hulu Originals.
Io Davis, who has worked with Erwich over the past six months on Disney-branded television streaming originals, will continue to report to him for the stream. That reporting structure will expand and also include Disney Channel and Disney Junior development and programming.
debra o’connell Will continue to oversee the network and ABC-owned television stations, and will include research, labor relations and TV business operations under its purview. Disney Television Studios will remain under Eric Scheer, who will expand his responsibilities to include global original television strategy, working closely with the company’s regional leaders.
The changes come after CEO Bob Iger dismantled Disney’s media and entertainment distribution unit. Alan Bergman is leading Disney Entertainment with Walden, while Jimmy Pitaro is running ESPN and Josh D’Amaro is in charge of Disney Parks.
Read Walden’s full memo to employees below:
Dear friends,
Since the Disney Entertainment announcement, I’ve spent time thinking about how to structure our team in a way that allows me to focus on my newly expanded role in partnership with Allen. I will continue to rely on the same incredible leaders who have delivered hit after hit on our platform and in our rich library, but have made a few changes to our structure, which are listed below:
- Onyx Collective remains a huge priority, and with its impressive roster of creators and series growing, Tara Duncan will now focus exclusively on Onyx.
- National Geographic content recently earned its third Oscar nomination and has attracted some of the biggest stars in its impressive slate of series and doc movies. Courtney Munroe will now oversee all aspects of the brand, including its original content strategy along with its digital footprint and iconic magazine.
- Tara and Courtney will now report directly to John Landgraf, combining the strengths of three iconic brands.
- As Tara’s focus turns to Onyx, freeform programming and development will Joint along with ABC Entertainment, and Simran Sethi will oversee both. It represents Simran’s return to the brand she helped launch. She will continue to report to Craig Erwich.
- Over the past six months, Io Davis and Craig have worked together very successfully on Disney branded television. Sremedy heyriginals. Ayo will continue to report to Craig for streaming, and will now expand that structure to also include development and programming for Disney Channel and Disney Junior.
- Debra O’Connell, who recently joined my leadership team, will continue to oversee the network and ABC-owned television stations, and will lead research, labor relations and TV business operations within its scope.
- Disney Television Studios will remain under Eric Scheer, who will expand his responsibilities to include our global original television strategy, working closely with our talented regional leaders.
Great stories are the lifeblood of our company, and I will remain deeply involved with the creative side of our business. I have full confidence in this team of proven and formidable leaders as we begin our new chapter together. I am very grateful to Bob for re-engaging and re-organizing our company in such a meaningful way.
I want you all to know how much I appreciate your passion and your pursuit of excellence, which will be key to our success in the months and years to come.
Sincerely,
Grain
