MUMBAI: The Walt Disney Studios has appointed Sean Bailey as president of Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Production as the segment continues to restructure its operation.
In his new role, he will oversee all aspects of live-action development, film production and physical production for Walt Disney Pictures and Touchstone Pictures. Additional changes to international theatrical distribution, multicultural initiatives, publicity, communications and Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment were made as part of the business’ new strategic direction.
The Walt Disney Studios chairman Rich Ross said, "Building upon a strong foundation with the company, Sean brings great creative instincts and considerable filmmaking experience to his new role at The Walt Disney Studios. His close relationships throughout the creative community and industry at large make him an ideal leader to set the direction of TWDS’ future film slates. Sean’s talent, energy, and commitment to delivering quality content will help us achieve our goals of producing and distributing Disney-branded movies that entertain audiences worldwide."
"I am honored and thrilled to join a company with the history and tradition of The Walt Disney Studios. Working with the strong team that has been assembled under Rich’s leadership, I look forward to working with the Studios’ impressive array of talented filmmakers to create entertaining, inspiring films that uphold the legacy and quality of classic Disney movies and capture the imagination of our global audiences," said Bailey.
Bailey is the founder and president of the production company, Idealogy, Inc. He also co-founded the integrated media firm, LivePlanet, with Ben Affleck, Matt Damon and Chris Moore and was the executive producer of several television programs including LivePlanet’s three-time Emmy-nominated Project Greenlight. Sean wrote the screenplay Liberty for The Walt Disney Company and co-wrote the screenplay Solace.
To further streamline the distribution of future TWDS’ theatrical content, Ross also announced that Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures president, distribution Chuck Viane will take on all aspects of international sales and distribution across 70 countries, in addition to his on-going responsibilities overseeing domestic sales and distribution operations. Viane will report directly to The Walt Disney Studios president of distribution Bob Chapek.
Other executives will take on new assignments as part of the Studios’ restructuring. Christine Cadena, currently senior vice president, marketing, synergy and franchise development, will become SVP, multicultural initiatives, leading all diversity and multicultural efforts.
Michelle Sewell has been promoted to SVP, global publicity, overseeing the domestic and international publicity departments, and is responsible for formulating and executing worldwide publicity campaigns for all live-action and animated motion pictures. She will report to the head of marketing.
The Studios’ communications team will also transition, as John Nicoletti becomes VP global communications and Paul Roeder moves to director, global communications. Heidi Trotta, SVP of studio communications, will stay on as a consultant for a transitional period.
Cadena, Nicoletti and Trotta will report directly to Ross.
"I’m fortunate that I have been able to access the deep talent pool within the Studio and throughout The Walt Disney Company. Our industry is evolving rapidly and in order to remain at its forefront, we are adapting our organization to be more agile, creative and responsive," said Ross.
In addition to the executive level changes, the Studio will also continue its reorganization of the workforce at Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment.
