Rebecca Campbell to Lead the New International Content Creation Center for the Company’s DTC Platforms as President, International Content and Operations

Michael Paull promoted to newly created role overseeing Disney+, ESPN+, Hulu and Star+

Joe Earley named president of Hulu

BURBANK, Calif., January 19, 2022–(BUSINESS WIRE)–To support the continued expansion of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS) direct-to-consumer business worldwide and fuel the expanding pipeline of local and regional content for its streaming, the company is creating a new hub for international content creation under the leadership of Rebecca Campbell as President, International Content and Operations, it was announced today by Bob Chapek, Managing Director of The Walt Disney Company. Additionally, the company is making several key leadership appointments to its Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution (DMED) segment under the leadership of its President, Kareem Daniel.

• Ms. Campbell, in her new expanded role as President, International Content and Operations, will focus on local and regional content production for Disney’s streaming services, and continue to oversee Disney’s international media teams around the world. , reporting directly to Mr. Chapek. The Global Content and Operations group will house a fourth content creation engine for the company, alongside the Studio Content, General Entertainment Content and Sports Content groups.

• Michael Paull has been promoted to the newly created position of President of Disney Streaming, responsible for Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+ and Star+, and will oversee these platforms globally for Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution, reporting to Mr Daniel.

• Joe Earley, who previously served as executive vice president, marketing and operations for Disney+, has been named president of Hulu and will report to Paull.

• The streaming leadership team will also include a new Disney+ head, who has yet to be named, filling a role Mr. Paull previously held. Russell Wolff continues to lead ESPN+. These roles will also report to Mr. Paull.

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“Disney’s direct-to-consumer streaming efforts have grown at a breakneck pace in just a few short years, and our organization has continued to grow and evolve to support our ambitious global streaming strategy,” said Mr. Chapek. “Rebecca has been instrumental in orchestrating the expansion of our global platform, and I am delighted to have her leading our new international content group, bringing her expertise and talent to oversee the growing content pipeline. local and regional original for our streaming services while continuing to lead our international operations.Similarly, with a relentless focus on consumer service, Kareem has developed a seasoned team of industry-leading executives. who are uniquely equipped to take our streaming business into the next century of Disney.

Since launching Disney+ in late 2019, the company’s streaming business has grown rapidly, with 179 million total subscriptions across Disney+, ESPN+ and Hulu by the end of fiscal 2021, and expects more than double the number of countries in which Disney+ is present. more than 160 by fiscal year 2023. Disney is also investing significantly in creating original local and regional content for its streaming services, with more than 340 titles already in various stages of development and production.

“Quality content drives the success of our streaming services, and I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to work even more closely with the talented creators in our international markets who are producing new stories with local relevance to delight our audiences around the world,” Ms. Campbell said. “Disney is admired around the world for the quality of our storytelling and the deep emotional connection we have with our consumers, and I’m honored to continue to lead our international teams as we build on that legacy.”

In her new role as President, International Content and Operations, Ms. Campbell will be responsible for expanding the international content creation pipeline, amplifying the company’s localized content strategy. She will continue to oversee the company’s teams in Asia Pacific, EMEA, India and Latin America that manage the company’s international linear channels, regional streaming, local ad sales and local distribution. Previously, Ms. Campbell served as President, International and Direct-to-Consumer Operations, having held executive positions in Disney’s media, international and parks businesses for nearly 25 years.

“Since the beginning of our DTC business, we have been guided by a single, clear goal – to provide the public with the best entertainment where and when they want it – and we have continued to build a world-class team to deliver on that promise.” , said Mr. Daniel. “Michael Paull has deep experience in the world of streaming, and is an accomplished leader with a passion for this business and a proven track record in building and expanding our streaming operations. Bringing together Disney’s streaming platforms under the Michael’s expert leadership will allow us to create an even more compelling value proposition for consumers.”

Mr. Paull will be responsible for Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution’s direct-to-consumer platforms globally, and will also oversee Disney Streaming’s Product, Technology, Data Science, Operations and Viewer Experience teams. He joined Disney in 2017 as part of the Bamtech Media acquisition, where he served as CEO, and he and his team have been pivotal in pivoting the company into the direct selling space at consumer, launching ESPN+ in 2018, followed by the launch and rapid global expansion of Disney+ in 2019, and the launch of Star+ in Latin America in August 2021. Prior to Bamtech, Mr. Paull spent five years at Amazon in as Vice President, Digital Video, where he led Amazon channels worldwide, and held a number of other leadership positions at leading media companies during his more than 20-year career. 20 years.

Mr. Paull said: “Now that we have established our platforms as category leaders, I look forward to the new challenges that lie ahead as we continue to innovate and scale globally, while delighting consumers with all the amazing entertainment and sports programming from our content partners. I’ve also had the pleasure of working closely with Joe Earley over the past few years and I can’t imagine a better leader to take the head of Hulu.”

In his new role as chairman of Hulu, Mr. Earley will build on the general entertainment service’s reputation as a premier destination for popular and award-winning original series and movies, as well as live television. Earley joined Disney+ in January 2019 as executive vice president of marketing and operations, and in January 2021 added global content curation oversight for the flagship streaming service. Prior to joining Disney+, Mr. Earley served as President of The Jackal Group, where he oversaw all areas of the studio’s television, film, commercial theater and digital divisions. Previously, he held many positions during his two-decade career at Fox, where he last served as Chief Operating Officer for Fox Television Group.

“I’m thrilled to embark on this new era at Hulu, a streaming pioneer that over the past 15 years has distinguished itself with an unparalleled offering of groundbreaking, award-winning series and movies from our talented content partners.” , Mr. Earley said. “I’ve been a longtime Hulu subscriber and fan and have admired the unbridled creativity of the service’s content and culture, and look forward to the exciting opportunities that lie ahead, collaborating with our content studios and harnessing the full power and strength of The Walt Disney Company.”

The Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution segment delivers the company’s unrivaled storytelling to audiences around the world across theatrical, streaming and linear platforms, and is responsible for monetizing content from the company’s content engines. This includes P&L management and operations of the Company’s streaming services portfolio; its linear television channels and stations owned by ABC; theatrical film distribution; content licensing and distribution; and global advertising sales.

Forward-looking statements

Certain statements in this communication may be considered “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Federal Private Securities Litigation Reform Act, including statements such as future business and content pipeline expansion; the future number of countries in which direct-to-consumer products are expected to be offered; continued growth in direct-to-consumer sales; relevance of future content; objectives, promises and their planned execution; future consumer value proposition; innovation, reputation and future opportunities; and other statements that are not historical in nature. These statements are made based on management’s beliefs and assumptions regarding future events and the performance of the business at the time the statements are made. Management assumes no obligation to update these statements.

Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied. These differences may result from actions taken by the Company, including strategic initiatives or other business decisions and content and expansion decisions, as well as from developments beyond the Company’s control, including changes in national and global economic conditions, competitive conditions and consumer preferences; health problems; international, regulatory, political or military developments; technological development; and labor issues; each of these risks includes the current and future impacts of, and is magnified by, COVID-19 and related mitigation efforts.

Such developments may further affect the entertainment businesses generally and may, among other things, affect (or further affect, as the case may be): demand for our products and services; the performance of the Company’s content; advertising markets; and the performance of some or all of the Company’s businesses, either directly or through their impact on those who distribute our products.

Additional factors are set forth in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 2, 2021 and subsequent reports.

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