Disney’s New Chief Communications Officer Paul Roeder Assembles Team, Promotes April Carretta to Lead Communications for President Dana Walden
In an internal memo, Paul Roeder, newly appointed Senior EVP and Chief Communications Officer at The Walt Disney Company, has detailed the operational structure of his leadership team less than a month into his tenure.
Roeder’s memo identifies his direct reports as follows: David Jefferson, EVP of Communications; April Carretta, EVP of Communications; Carrie Brown, SVP of Internal Communications; and Mariana Vaca, Director of Communications.
Carretta, who previously led communications for Direct-to-Consumer since 2022 under DTC President Joe Earley, has been promoted. In her expanded role, she will continue her responsibilities while taking on the daily communications lead for Dana Walden, who has recently been appointed as Disney Co.’s President and Chief Creative Officer.
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Naomi Bulochnikov, who previously managed communications for Walden during her time as co-Chairman of Disney Entertainment, will remain EVP of Communications for Disney Entertainment and continue to oversee its communications efforts, reporting to newly elevated DET Chairman Debra O’Connell and Roeder.
Bulochnikov is among several Segment Communications Leads named by Roeder, which includes Alannah Hall-Smith, EVP of Communications & Public Affairs, DX; Josh Krulewitz, EVP of ESPN Communications; Bridget Osterhaus, VP of Communications; and Erin Barrier, SVP of Communications for Studios.
In his memo, Roeder stated, “This group brings deep expertise, strong judgment, and genuine care for this company and for one another.”
The memo further outlines the responsibilities and reporting structures for the senior executive team:
Corporate Teams Reporting to Me
David Jefferson, EVP of Communications, will oversee day-to-day corporate communications, including Public Affairs, Media Relations, and CSR. He will also lead international communications teams, collaborating with regional communications leads.
April Carretta has been promoted to EVP of Communications, continuing to lead Direct-to-Consumer communications while adding the responsibilities for Games and serving as the day-to-day communications lead for Dana.
– Mimi Fong, VP of Communications, will join April’s team to support International Content communications, working closely with Eric Schrier and Joe Earley.
Carrie Brown, SVP of Internal Communications, will report directly to me and will manage enterprise-wide employee communications and engagement efforts.
Mariana Vaca has joined my team as Director of Communications, ensuring ongoing connectivity and alignment among teams.
Segment Communications Leads
Alannah Hall-Smith, EVP of Communications & Public Affairs, DX, will continue leading communications for DX, reporting to Thomas Mazloum and myself.
Josh Krulewitz, EVP of ESPN Communications, will dual report to Jimmy Pitaro and me.
Naomi Bulochnikov, EVP of Communications, Disney Entertainment, will continue leading communications for DET, including Advertising, and will dual report to Debra O’Connell and me.
Bridget Osterhaus, VP of Communications, will lead communications for Platform Distribution and will now dual report to Naomi and Josh.
Erin Barrier, SVP of Communications, Studios, has recently been promoted to lead communications for all DE Studios, and will dual report to Alan Bergman and me.
