MUMBAI: Giorgio Stock has been promoted to executive vice president and managing director, Disney Channels, Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA). He will lead The Walt Disney Company’s portfolio of kid-focused, family inclusive television channels including Disney Channel, Playhouse Disney, Disney XD and Cinemagic, in the territory. He will also serve as a Disney representative on the board of SRTL, Disney’s joint venture with RTL Group.

Stock, who joined The Walt Disney Company in 1997, has been senior vice president and general manager, Disney Channels Italy, since 2005. He will relocate from Milan to London and will report to Diego Lerner, President, The Walt Disney Company, Europe, Middle East and Africa.

John Hardie, who has been with the company since 2001, has accepted another position to be announced shortly. He will depart the company in June. An announcement regarding the new senior vice president and general manager, Disney Channel Italy, will also be made shortly.

Lerner said, "Giorgio is a highly respected, superb executive who brings a wealth of experience to the job and whose leadership, expertise and reputation continue to make him a tremendous asset not only for the Channels but also for The Walt Disney Company EMEA as a whole. I am very pleased that he has accepted this regional role and look forward to him delivering his renowned collegial spirit to our entire EMEA team." He continued, "I have always been impressed by John Hardie and wish him every future success."

Stock added, "I am thrilled to take on this exciting challenge to enhance the entertainment experience we deliver to our consumers and to position our media business to maximize future growth opportunities in the region."

In his new role, Stock will have strategic oversight of all Disney Channels operations across the EMEA territory with Channels offices in London, Amsterdam, Lisbon, Madrid, Milan, Munich, Paris, Rome and Stockholm. Disney Channels in the portfolio can be seen in 94 countries in the EMEA region.