UPDATE: Debra O’Connell, a longtime Disney business executive who oversaw the financial structure of many of the company’s most prominent television properties, has been named chairman of Disney’s entertainment television operations. This new role will position her as the central creative leader across the company’s U.S. broadcast, cable and streaming properties.
O’Connell’s move is a key part of the management structure announced Monday by Dana Walden, who was newly promoted to Disney’s chief creative officer under incoming CEO Josh D’Amaro. Mr. D’Amaro and Mr. Walden will officially assume their new roles on March 19 after Disney’s annual shareholder meeting, taking over from CEO Bob Iger.
Mr. O’Connell will continue to report to Dana Walden. O’Connell will continue to oversee ABC News operations, which he has run since 2024.
Ms O’Connell’s new role was revealed in an announcement detailing the organization of the company’s entertainment business under Walden in her new role. Mr. Walden previously served as co-chairman of Disney Entertainment, where he led Disney’s television operations (excluding ESPN).
Most of Disney’s top entertainment executives will remain in their roles within the hierarchy announced Monday. Alan Bergman will continue to oversee Disney’s film studios and will co-direct direct-to-consumer with Walden. FX Chairman John Landgraf will continue to report to Walden.
But there are also some changes. Joe Earley and Adam Smith will become co-presidents of the company’s direct-to-consumer business, reporting to Walden and Bergman and sharing responsibility for strategy and financial performance across Disney+ and Hulu. Earley will also be responsible for direct-to-consumer content strategy, while Smith will continue as chief product and technology officer for Disney Entertainment and ESPN, reporting to ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro.
Walden will also oversee gaming and digital entertainment. Sean Shoptaw, executive vice president and executive vice president of the division, will report directly to Walden. This will bring Disney’s entire video game business, including its partnership with Epic Games, under Walden’s jurisdiction.
O’Connell had a long career at Disney, where he served as president and general manager of WABC in New York, where he managed operations for the syndicated program “Live,” led by Kelly Ripa. She also led national advertising sales for the company’s Station Group.
In his memo to staff on Monday, obtained by Variety, O’Connell revealed more about his management team. Among the changes, Mr. O’Connell gave Craig Erwich the directorship of 20th Television and 20th Television Animation, with Carrie Burke and Marcy Prouyette now reporting to him. He will continue to oversee ABC Entertainment and Hulu originals.
Meanwhile, Ayo Davis and the Disney Branded Television team will now report directly to O’Connell, as will Courtney Monroe and National Geographic Content. Rita Ferro, head of advertising sales, and Jimmy Zasowski, president of platform distribution for Disney Entertainment and ESPN brands, will now report to O’Connell for television and to Alan Bergman and Jimmy Pitaro “with respect to their respective businesses,” the memo said.
“As we begin this new journey together, I am inspired and humbled by the people across our organization who are shaping our future and driving the storytelling spirit that defines our company,” O’Connell wrote.
The full memo can be viewed below.
Note from Debra O’Connell:
team,
First and foremost, I would like to thank Dana Walden for her exceptional leadership and the trust she has placed in me as Chairman of Disney Entertainment Television. Dana is an incredible champion of creative excellence across our organization, and her vision and thoughtful leadership have dramatically increased the momentum we have today. We are deeply grateful to Dana and Josh D’Amaro for their support as we move forward together.
One of the greatest privileges of working at The Walt Disney Company is serving alongside incredibly talented people across all teams and aspects of the job. The creativity, innovation, and collaboration I have witnessed throughout my nearly 30 years at the company continues to inspire me every day. As we begin this new journey together, I am encouraged and humbled by the people across our organization who are shaping our future and driving the storytelling spirit that defines our company.
With that in mind, I’m excited to share my new senior leadership team with you.
Craig Erwich will now oversee 20th TV and 20th TV Animation, with Carrie Burke and Marcy Prouyette reporting to him. Craig will continue to lead ABC Entertainment and Hulu Originals.
Ayo Davis and the Disney Branded Television team will be reporting to me.
Courtney Monroe and the National Geographic Content Organization will also report directly to me.
Armin Karamedovic and Chad Matthews will continue to report to me as heads of ABC News and ABC-owned television stations, respectively.
Rita Ferro and Jimmy Zasowski will now report to me on television and to Alan Bergman and Jimmy Pitaro on their respective businesses.
Sean Cocchia will now dual-report to me and Eric Schrier on content strategy.
First of all, let me say this is an all-star team. And in the coming weeks, we’ll be refining aspects of this new organizational structure and process. We will share further details as these decisions take shape. Thank you for your patience during this transition period, as well as your professionalism and focus on your daily work.
Through our studios, networks and platforms, we bring stories to life that connect with audiences around the world in meaningful ways. Now more than ever, we are working closely with our direct-to-consumer partners Joe Earley and Adam Smith and their teams to adopt a unified content strategy and continue to deliver award-winning titles that define culture and inspire generations.
Finally, I would like to leave those joining my organization for the first time with a belief that has served me well throughout my career. It’s about working hard, playing smart, and throwing kindness like confetti. I hope you will keep these words in mind as we move forward together.
Thank you for your efforts.
debra
