Dana Walden Introduces Her New Disney Entertainment Leadership Team for Film, TV, Streaming, and Games, with Debra O’Connell Promoted to DET Chairman
Dana Walden Unveils Leadership Restructuring at Disney Entertainment
Dana Walden, the newly appointed President and Chief Creative Officer of The Walt Disney Company, has announced a comprehensive restructuring of Disney Entertainment. This decision was shared in a memo on Monday, just days before she officially stepped into her role on Wednesday.
In her expanded position, Walden will oversee not only television and film but also Games and Digital Entertainment—previously managed by incoming CEO Josh D’Amaro. Sean Shoptaw, who previously reported to D’Amaro, will now report to Walden under this new structure.
Members of Walden’s leadership team include Alan Bergman, Debra O’Connell, John Landgraf, Joe Earley, and Adam Smith. Bergman will continue his role as Chairman of Disney Entertainment, overseeing film studios and sharing direct oversight of Disney+ and Hulu with Walden.
Despite speculation regarding Bergman’s future in his role, he will remain with the company, with reports indicating a strong working relationship with Walden. O’Connell, who was previously President of the ABC News Group and Disney Entertainment Networks, has been appointed as Chairman of Disney Entertainment Television, with responsibility for flagship television brands.
Landgraf retains his position as Chairman of FX and will focus on overseeing the Onyx Collective. O’Connell’s promotion slightly alters Landgraf’s responsibilities, as he will no longer manage National Geographic, a brand he oversaw since 2023.
Eric Schrier, President of Disney Television Studios, will now report to Joe Earley, who has recently been named Co-President of the Direct to Consumer division alongside Adam Smith. Both will share responsibilities for strategy and financial performance across Disney+ and Hulu.
In her memo, Walden emphasized the importance of integrating Disney’s content across various platforms to enhance audience engagement. "The strength of Disney has always been the emotional connection between our stories and the people who love them," she remarked.
The memo outlined her leadership team’s goals to streamline operations while ensuring high-quality content delivery. This restructuring aims to position Disney favorably for future growth and consumer engagement in an evolving entertainment landscape.
Asad Ayaz remains the Chief Marketing and Brand Officer, reporting to both Walden and D’Amaro.
Walden concluded her communication by expressing gratitude for the talent and creativity within the organization, affirming her excitement to lead as Disney embarks on this new chapter.
