Debra OConnell, who was just promoted by incoming Disney Chief Creative Officer Dana Walden to Chairman of Disney Entertainment Television, has unveiled her direct reports, which include Craig Erwich, Ayo Davis and Courteney Monroe.
In her new role, OConnell is in charge of the television brands, including ABC Entertainment, Disney Branded Television, Hulu Originals, National Geographic Content and creative for 20th Television and 20th Television Animation, in addition to her current duties overseeing ABC News and the ABC Owned Television Stations.
Erwich had added oversight of 20th Television and 20th Television Animation, with Karey Burke and Marci Proietto reporting to him. He will continue to lead ABC Entertainment and Hulu Originals. As he adds the TV studios, Erwich will stay focused on adult programming and will no longer oversee Disney Branded Entertainment whose head, Ayo Davis, will now report to OConnell.
As Deadline reported earlier this afternoon, Eric Schrier, most recently President of Disney TV Studios, will now be reporting to Direct to Consumer Co-President Joe Earley as he concentrates on international original content. He will continue to oversee the studios on the production and business side, with Erwch taking over creative oversight.
Also reporting to OConnell is Nat Geo Content head Courteney Monroe, who previously reported to FX Chairman John Landgraf.
OConnell’s current reports, Almin Karamehmedovic and Chad Matthews, will continue to do so as heads of ABC News and ABC Owned Television Stations, respectively.
Rita Ferro and Jimmy Zasowski, who used to report to Walden for television, to Alan Bergman for film and Jimmy Pitaro for ESPN, will now report to OConnell for TV in addition to Bergman and Pitaro.
Sean Cocchia will now dual report to me and Eric Schrier on Content Strategy.
Here is OCeonnell’s memo:
Team,
Before anything else, I want to thank Dana Walden for her extraordinary leadership and for the confidence she has placed in me to serve as chairman of Disney Entertainment Television. Dana has been an incredible champion of creative excellence across our organization, and her vision and thoughtful leadership have catapulted the momentum we are building on today. I’m deeply grateful to Dana and Josh D’Amaro for their support as we move forward together.
One of the greatest privileges of working for The Walt Disney Company is the ability to serve alongside exceptionally talented people across every team and facet of our work. The creativity, innovation and collaboration I’ve witnessed throughout my nearly three decades with the company continue to inspire me every day. As we begin this new journey together, I am both energized and humbled by the individuals throughout our organization who will shape our future and carry forward the spirit of storytelling that defines our company.
With that in mind, I’m pleased to share my new senior leadership team with all of you.
Craig Erwich will now oversee 20th Television and 20th Television Animation, with Karey Burke and Marci Proietto reporting to him. Craig will continue to lead ABC Entertainment and Hulu Originals.
Ayo Davis and the Disney Branded Television team will now report into me.
Courteney Monroe and the National Geographic Content organization will also report to me directly.
Almin Karamehmedovic and Chad Matthews will continue to report to me as the heads of ABC News and ABC Owned Television Stations, respectively.
Rita Ferro and Jimmy Zasowski will now report to me for television, and to Alan Bergman and Jimmy Pitaro for each of their respective businesses.
Sean Cocchia will now dual report to me and Eric Schrier on Content Strategy.
Let me be the first to say this is an all-star team. And, in the weeks ahead, we will be refining aspects of this new organizational structure and processes. As those decisions take shape, we will share more details. Thank you for your patience during this period of transition and for the professionalism and focus you bring to your work every day.
Across our studios, networks and platforms, we give life to stories that connect with audiences around the world in meaningful ways. More than ever, we’ll be working closely with our Direct-to-Consumer partners – Joe Earley and Adam Smith – and their teams as we embrace a unified content strategy and continue to deliver the culture-defining, award-winning titles that inspire generations.
Finally, for those of you who are joining my organization for the first time, I’d like to leave you with a mantra that has served me well throughout my career – Work hard, play smart and throw kindness like confetti. I hope you’ll keep those words in mind as we move forward together.
Thank you for all you do.
Debra