The Walt Disney Company creates new International Content hub; Rebecca Campbell to lead as Chairperson

In order to meet its incredibly ambitious global streaming goals, The Walt Disney Company has created a new International Content hub. Rebecca Campbell will lead the hub as Chairperson, International Content and Operations. She will report to Bob Chapek, Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company.

In this new role, Campbell will focus on local and regional content production for Disney’s streaming services, as well as oversee Disney’s International media teams worldwide.

Previously, she was Chairman, International Operations & Direct-to-Consumer, part of Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution (DMED).

“Rebecca brings to her new role a powerful combination of experience and expertise in streaming, media, distribution and international operations, and will be a terrific leader for this new organisation,” Chapek wrote in an internal mail to his staff.

International Content hub will join TWDC’s Studios, General Entertainment and Sports teams, and focus exclusively on expanding the international storytelling capabilities.

Sharing the vision behind the new hub, Chapek said, “Since launching our streaming services, audiences around the world have embraced the ability to experience our stories wherever and whenever they want. And with 179 million subscriptions as of the end of our last fiscal year, we have an opportunity to deepen our connection with audiences as our services not only feature more content, but increasingly become portals for interaction with the entirety of The Walt Disney Company. We will approach this opportunity through our three strategic pillars of storytelling excellence, innovation, and relentless focus on our audience.”

“Our need for more locally created and locally relevant content grows with each new market we enter- and we have plans to more than double the number of countries in which Disney+ can be found to more than 160. At the same time, the increased investment in local content means there will be more opportunities to identify locally developed stories that could have wider, global appeal. There are already more than 340 local titles in various stages of development and production, and I am excited for this new group to build on our early success by working with local market to shape their content development efforts,” he added.

Campbell wrote in a separate communication, “I’m excited to focus more intently on our localised content strategy and execution, while continuing to lead our international operations. I look forward to working even more closely with our regional teams to expand our international production pipeline to include even more local originals and sports programming with premium content that will connect with local viewers around the world. There is tremendous beauty and diversity in the different cultures, communities, and corners of our globe and we are excited to share it with audiences near and far through our storytelling.”

Campbell said that Luke Kang will continue to lead TWDC in APAC while Jan Koeppen will continue to lead EMEA and Diego Lerner will continue to lead LATAM.

K Madhavan will continue to lead TWDC in India. Additionally, Sunil Rayan will continue to lead Hotstar business, reporting to Madhavan and Campbell.

“I will be naming a Head of Local Content and Planning as well as a Head of Strategy and Operations to join international Content and Operations group,” added Campbell.

Additionally, TWDC has created a new role- President, Disney Streaming- that will oversee Disney+, Hulu, ESPN, and Stay+. Michael Paull, who has led Disney+ and ESPN+, is being promoted to this new position and will report directly to Kareem Daniel, Chairman, Media and Entertainment Distribution, The Walt Disney Company.

“Audiences are increasingly looking for services that meet all of their content needs-as evidenced by the strength of the Disney Bundle- and Michael’s new role will help us continue to evolve to meet growing consumer expectations,” Chapek wrote.

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