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Paul Lee, the executive who revived Walt Disney Co.’s moribund ABC Family channel with shows that appealed to the sensibilities of the millennial generation, was elevated Friday to president of ABC Entertainment Group.

Lee immediately takes over for Steve McPherson, who abruptly stepped down this week.

The 50-year-old, London-born Lee, a former BBC television executive, will oversee creative and business operations for the broadcast network as well as ABC Studios, the company’s in-house TV production unit. It’s a massive job for the executive, who has spent the last decade keeping a modest profile at mid-size cable channels.

But Disney executives are confident that Lee is up to the task. They point to Lee’s variety of skills, which include producing and directing made-for-TV movies. He worked on spicy telenovelas, a staple of Spanish-language television.

“Paul was hired six years ago because of his great creative instincts and his ability to identify an audience and develop programming that resonates with them,” Anne Sweeney, president of the Disney/ABC Television Group, said in a statement.

Broadening ABC’s audience will be Lee’s biggest challenge. A sore point for Disney was the fact that ABC ended the most recent television season in a third-place tie with NBC in the important category of viewers ages 18 to 49.

“He’s got to find some shows that attract men to the network. ABC’s audience is primarily made of up of women because of shows like ‘Desperate Housewives’ and ‘Grey’s Anatomy,’ ” said Brad Adgate, a TV analyst with Horizon Media. “But those shows are getting older. He has to create the next generation of hits for ABC. Their biggest shows have had a noticeable fall-off in audience.”

Reaching out to men has been a priority for ABC since it gave up its longtime ratings giant “Monday Night Football.” Although a huge draw, the show lost hundreds of millions of dollars a year for the network. Disney shifted the franchise to its profitable ESPN network, which has two streams of revenue — advertising and cable affiliate fees.

Despite taking big swings with shows with futuristic concepts, such as “Flash Forward,” or a look at some Neanderthal characters in “Cave Men,” McPherson was unable to bring in the testosterone crowd. During the last six years, the ABC network and TV studio has spent more than $500 million developing new shows, buying scripts and making deals with writers and producers.

“One of the mistakes that McPherson made was looking for another ‘Lost’ or another ‘Desperate Housewives,’ ” said David Scardino, entertainment specialist with the Santa Monica advertising agency RPA. “And those shows were really unique and not easy to replace.”

The shows that McPherson developed, he said, “always looked great and sounded great but they weren’t really executed that well.”

McPherson’s biggest hit was “Modern Family,” but even that show lacks the mainstream appeal of some of CBS’ comedies, including “Two and a Half Men,” and “The Big Bang Theory.”

Lee will step into the spotlight Sunday when he is introduced to more than 150 television industry writers in town for the twice-a-year gathering of the Television Critics Assn.

Lee founded the BBC America channel in the U.S. before joining ABC Family in 2004. He developed original shows for young adults who were craving sophisticated yet sweet dramas. The cable network has found success with such programs as “The Secret Life of the American Teenager,” “Pretty Little Liars” and “Kyle XY.”

Under Lee, ABC Family has shown six consecutive years of growth and ranks among the top five cable networks in prime time for teens and young women ages 18 to 49.

RITA FERRO PROMOTED TO EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT,
DISNEY MEDIA SALES AND MARKETING

BURBANK, June 17, 2010 . . . Rita Ferro, an executive with a strong track record in advertising sales and promotions, has been promoted to Executive Vice President, Disney Media Sales and Marketing, effective June 28. Ms. Ferro will relocate to New York from Miami, where she’s been an integral part of Disney and ESPN’s Latin America business since 1997. She succeeds Tricia Wilber who was recently named Chief Marketing Officer, The Walt Disney Company, Europe, Middle East and Africa.

In her new role, Ferro will lead the integrated sales team that represents and maximizes advertising sales, marketing and promotions across The Walt Disney Company’s media platforms serving kids, moms and families, including its kid-driven, family inclusive TV channels, its wide-range of online offerings, its mom-focused publishing business, and its kid- and mom-focused radio platform. The portfolio, consists of Disney Channel, Disney XD, Playhouse Disney (soon to re-brand to Disney Junior), plus over 20 Disney Online properties serving kids, families and/or women including Disney.com, DisneyFamily.com, DisneyChannel.com, RadioDisney.com, Kaboose.com and FamilyFun.com, among others.

Ferro will report to three business unit leaders – Carolina Lightcap, president, Disney Channels Worldwide; Paul Yanover, Executive Vice President and Managing Director, Disney Online, and Russell Hampton, president, Disney Publishing Worldwide.

Ms. Lightcap said, “Rita has a great reputation in the advertising community and a strong background in generating strategic opportunities for diverse clients in a dynamic multichannel, multi-brand business.” She continued, “I am excited to be working closely with her again, and know our integrated ad sales team stands to benefit enormously from her keen insights, strong relationships and leadership skills.”

“I look forward to working with Rita to build strategic cross-platform business opportunities,” stated Mr. Yanover. “Her multi-faceted background and experience leveraging strong brands to create unique solutions is a huge benefit to our integrated sales organization.”

Ferro has been Vice President, Advertising Sales, Disneymedia+ since 2008, representing to the advertising and promotions industry the vast commercial opportunities generated by Disney in Latin America –  a pan-regional business spanning television, radio, online, publishing, consumer products and studios. In this role, she had oversight of ad sales offices in Argentina, Brazil, Mexico and Miami, and its ad sales representatives in Central America, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru and Chile.

She joined ESPN International in 1997 as Manager, International Advertising Sales. In 1999 she was promoted to director, and in 2003 to Vice President, International Ad Sales, and gained management responsibility for the ESPN International ad sales office in Miami. She ultimately added ad sales management for Disney Media Network’s burgeoning kid-driven and family inclusive portfolio – Disney Channel, Disney XD and Playhouse Disney — in Latin America.

Prior to joining ESPN, Ferro was Manager of ad sales for Cisneros Television Group (1997), an advertising account manager with MTV Networks in Latin America (1994-97), and an account executive with Blue Pearl Entertainment (1993-94).

A native of Coral Gables, Florida, Ferro earned a Bachelors of Science degree in advertising and a Masters of International Business degree from Florida International University. She and her family will relocate from Coral Gables, Florida to New York.

May 15, 2010 (Close-Up Media via COMTEX) — The Walt Disney Company has reported earnings for its second fiscal quarter and six months ended April 3.

In a May 11 release, the Walt Disney Company reported diluted earnings per share (EPS) for the second quarter increased 45 percent to $0.48 from $0.33 in the prior-year quarter. EPS for the current and prior-year quarter include the items discussed in the following paragraph. Excluding these items, EPS increased 12 percent to $0.48 from $0.43 in the prior-year quarter.

The current quarter included restructuring and impairment charges, a gain on the sale of an investment in a pay television service in Central Europe, and an accounting gain related to the acquisition of the Disney Stores in Japan, which collectively had no net impact on EPS. The prior-year quarter included restructuring and impairment charges which had a $0.10 per share impact on EPS.

For the six month period, diluted EPS was $0.93 compared to $0.78 in the prior-year period. In addition to the items discussed above, EPS for the current six months included restructuring and impairment charges and a gain on the sale of an investment in a television service in Europe which were recorded in the first quarter of the current year while the prior-year period included a gain on the sale of our investment in two pay television services in Latin America. Excluding these items, EPS increased 12 percent to $0.95 from $0.85 in the prior-year six months.

SHAREHOLDERS ELECT 13 DIRECTORS AT THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY ANNUAL MEETING

San Antonio, Tex. March 10, 2010 — Shareholders of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS) at the 2010 Annual Meeting today elected 13 members of the Board of Directors and supported Board recommendations on the Company’s auditor, its stock incentive plan and amendments to its Restated Certificate of Incorporation, based on preliminary results.

Shareholders also agreed with the board in rejecting two shareholder proposals.

Disney Chairman John E. Pepper Jr. welcomed shareholders to the meeting at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country and introduced members of the Board of Directors. He noted that last year was an extremely tough one for the global economy, adding that Disney’s management team “has done an excellent job of steering through” the challenges.

“Last year was more a period of adaptation than growth, but it also re-affirmed the importance of investing aggressively for the future in high-quality original branded entertainment and experiences,” Disney President and CEO Robert A. Iger told shareholders. “Ultimately, that’s the best way to assure Disney’s prosperity and, with that in mind, we’ve committed our capital and creative resources to some very exciting projects at our movie studios, our media networks and at our parks and resorts.”

Mr. Iger said that the recent acquisition of Marvel Entertainment will provide Disney “new opportunities to create great content” and that a big step was taken towards future growth when the Company received a go-ahead from China’s government to develop a new theme park in Shanghai. He also announced that the next D23 Expo, where Disney fans gather to get an inside look at technology and projects, mingle with talent and enjoy exclusive screenings and events, will take place in Anaheim, Ca., August 19-21, 2011.

Based on preliminary results, the following directors were re-elected to the Board, while Facebook Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg was elected for the first time:

• Susan Arnold
• John E. Bryson
• John S. Chen
• Judith L. Estrin
• Robert A. Iger
• Steven P. Jobs
• Fred H. Langhammer
• Aylwin B. Lewis
• Monica C. Lozano
• Robert W. Matschullat
• John E. Pepper Jr.
• Orin C. Smith

Shareholders also ratified the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Company’s independent accountants for the fiscal year ending October 2, 2010, approved an amendment to the Amended and Restated 2005 Stock Incentive Plan increasing the number of shares authorized to be issued under the plan and approved four amendments to the Company’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation.Shareholders rejected two shareholder proposals, one seeking specific reference to “ex-gays” in its employment policies and one seeking to institute shareholder advisory votes on executive compensation.

Final voting tallies are subject to certification by the Company’s inspector of elections, and will be included in the Company’s report to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by early next week.

Start Slide Show with PicLens Lite

Potential buyers of Walt Disney Co.’s (DIS) Miramax film unit include Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. (LGF) and the Weinstein brothers, Reuters reported Monday on its Web site, citing unnamed sources familiar with the situation said.

Independent studio Summit Entertainment might also be interested in Miramax, the sources said on condition of anonymity, according to the new agency.

A Lions Gate spokesman was unavailable for comment, and Disney and Summit declined comment, the report said.

The Weinstein Co. confirmed its interest in Miramax, the report said. “We are keen to look at the company and we will see what happens in coming weeks,” it quoted David Glasser, operations executive for the independent Weinstein Co., as saying.

Friday, January 22, 2010

Friday’s all new one-hour “Wizards of Waverly Place” (8:00 – 9:00 p.m.) ranked as the series’ No. 1 telecast of all time in Total Viewers (6.2 million) and Kids 6-11 (2.6 million/10.8 rating), and performed at near record-setting levels in Tweens 9-14 (2.4 million/9.8 rating – No. 3 telecast ever).

At 9 o’clock, an original “The Suite Life on Deck” posted the show’s best numbers in nearly 4 months (since 10/2/09), standing as its 3rd-most-watched telecast on record in Total Viewers (5.2 million) and Tweens 9-14 (2.1 million/8.6 rating), and 4th-most-watched to date in Kids 6-11 (2.4 million/9.6 rating).

• “Wizards of Waverly Place” (6.2 million) and “The Suite Life on Deck” (5.2 million) ranked
  No. 1 in their time slots versus all TV in Total Viewers, standing as Friday’s Top 2 scripted TV telecasts overall.
• Led by “Wizards of Waverly Place” and “The Suite Life on Deck,” Disney Channel aired the Top 6 TV telecasts on Friday in both Kids 6-11 and Tweens 9-14.

Source: TVbyTheNumbers

NIKKI REED NAMED VICE PRESIDENT,
ORIGINAL SERIES, DISNEY CHANNEL AND DISNEY XD

Nikki Reed has been named Vice President, Original Series, overseeing live-action development for Disney Channel and Disney XD, it was announced today by Adam Bonnett, Senior Vice President, Original Programming, Disney Channel, to whom she will report.

Reed, who has more than 13 years’ experience overseeing feature films and television series development, will be responsible for developing new live-action series geared towards kids, tweens and families on Disney Channel, Disney XD, as well as numerous platforms around the world.

Bonnett said, “Disney Channel is a home for outstanding comedy writers. Nikki’s breadth of experience in both film and television makes her the perfect executive to help us maintain our dominance in kids programming and grow Disney XD into a top destination for live action comedies.”

In her new role, Reed will oversee the development and execution of Disney Channel and Disney XD Original Series pilots, recruit series creators, executive producers, writers and directors and collaborate with the Casting department to identify new talent.

Reed most recently served as Vice President of Current and Development at Universal Cable Productions. From 2003-08 she was a development executive for executive producer Barry Kemp’s Bungalow 78 Productions while it was based at Disney’s Touchstone Television. Previously she served as Vice President of Development for Director Jon Turtletaub’s Junction Entertainment for Disney Studios. There she spearheaded the development of the feature films “National Treasure” starring Nicholas Cage and “The Kid” starring Bruce Willis.

In 2005 Reed served as an executive producer on the feature film “Invincible” starring Mark Wahlberg. Reed was part of the team responsible for negotiating the rights for Vince Papale, overseeing the screenplay script development and was involved in all aspects of the film.

The Los Angeles native is a graduate of the University of Arizona where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology.

BURBANK, Calif., Dec 23, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) — The Walt Disney Company
(NYSE:DIS) Board of Directors has nominated Sheryl Sandberg, chief operating
officer of Facebook Inc., to be a new independent director, effective upon her
election at the Company’s next annual meeting.

“Sheryl is an outstanding executive who can add incredible value to what is already a diverse and highly experienced group of directors,” said John E. Pepper Jr., Disney’s chairman. “She brings great expertise in the online world, considerable international experience and a deep understanding of consumer behavior.”

Sandberg has served as COO of Facebook, an online social utility company, since March 2008. In that capacity, she has been responsible for building Facebook’s operations globally and managing its sales, marketing, business development, human resources, public policy, privacy and communications functions. Facebook is now considered the number one global social network with more than 350 million members.

Prior to joining Facebook, Sandberg was Vice President of Global Online Sales and Operations for Google Inc., an Internet search engine company, a post she assumed in 2001. In that role, she built and managed Google’s online sales channels, which represents the majority of Google’s customers worldwide, for both AdWords and AdSense.

Sandberg, 40, is also a former Chief of Staff of the United States Treasury Department and previously served as a management consultant with McKinsey & Company and as an economist with The World Bank.

“Sheryl has been at the forefront of a technological revolution that’s opened up a world of new possibilities for consumers and which has greatly affected the way we do business,” said Robert A. Iger, Disney’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “Her unique insight, born of great practical experience, will be of considerable value to Disney’s shareholders.”

“Disney has remained an entertainment icon around the world for over 80 years by enthusiastically embracing change and new technologies,” said Sandberg. “It’s a tremendous honor to be nominated to the Disney board.”

Sandberg is also a director of Starbucks Corp. and serves on a number of nonprofit boards including The Brookings Institution, The AdCouncil, Women for Women International and V-Day. She received a Master’s Degree in business administration from Harvard Business School and a Bachelor’s Degree in economics from Harvard University.

Disney shareholders will vote on Sandberg’s nomination and the re-election of the Company’s other 12 directors at the next Disney annual meeting, March 10, 2010 in San Antonio, Texas.

SOURCE: The Walt Disney Company

Roy was one of my heroes. He fought for what he believed, he fought for quality in Disney animation, and he ultimately saved the company. Twice.

Without his guiding hand, I don’t know what will happen to the company. Iger seems to be doing a good job, and I have faith in John Lasseter and Steve Jobs. But we’ll all miss Roy.

What follows is the official Disney Press Release:

Roy Edward Disney, son of Disney Studios co-founder Roy O. Disney, and nephew of Walt Disney, passed away today (12/16/09) at Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian in Newport Beach, California, following a year-long battle with stomach cancer. He was 79 years old. Disney was a successful businessman, philanthropist, filmmaker, and award-winning sailor, who played a key role in the revitalization of The Walt Disney Company and Disney’s animation legacy. He was associated with the Company over a 56-year period, and from 1984 – 2003, served as vice chairman of the Company’s board of directors, and chairman of the Studio’s Animation Department. In recent years, he held the title of director emeritus and consultant for the Company.

As head of Disney Animation, Disney helped to guide the Studio to a new golden age of animation with an unprecedented string of artistic and box office successes that included “The Little Mermaid,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Aladdin,” and “The Lion King.” He personally executive produced “Fantasia/2000,” a sequel to the 1940 Disney classic, and served in a similar capacity on a number of recent animated shorts, including the 2004 Oscar(R)-nominated “Destino,” based on storyboards and original art by the iconic artist Salvador Dali. In the area of live-action films, Disney and his wife, Leslie DeMeuse Disney, most recently executive produced the 2008 feature documentary, “Morning Light,” which followed a group of young sailors as they competed in the grueling Transpac race from Los Angeles to Honolulu.

His philanthropic activities included sponsorship of the Roy E. Disney Center for the Performing Arts at the National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The Roy and Patricia Disney Family Cancer Center, part of Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, California, is scheduled to open in spring, 2010.

Commenting on the announcement, Bob Iger, president and CEO of The Walt Disney Company, said, “On behalf of everyone at Disney, we are saddened by the loss of our friend and colleague Roy E. Disney. He was much more than a valued 56-year Company veteran – Roy’s true passion and focus were preserving and building upon the amazing legacy of Disney animation that was started by his father and uncle. Roy’s commitment to the art of animation was unparalleled and will always remain his personal legacy and one of his greatest contributions to Disney’s past, present and future.”

John Lasseter, chief creative officer for Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios, added, “I first met Roy when I was still an animation student at CalArts. Not only did I consider him a personal friend, but he was a great man who believed deeply in the art of animation. He put his heart and soul into preserving Disney’s legendary past, while helping to move the art of animation into the modern age by embracing new technology. Roy was a visionary and passionate supporter of the art form, and he was all about quality. I was always impressed that he would make time for someone like me when I was fresh out of college, and he continued to support and encourage me throughout my career.”

Stanley Gold, president, Shamrock Holdings, said, “Roy and I enjoyed a 35-year friendship and partnership that was simply special. We faced many business challenges together, had fun in the process, and enjoyed a wide variety of professional successes. Roy was a man who was steadfastly loyal to his principles and to his friends. He was a gracious, humble gentleman who could make the tough decisions life sometimes requires. He carried the torch high and proud, and the world is a better place for his tireless efforts. I will miss him greatly.”

Roy Edward Disney was born in Los Angeles on January 10, 1930 to Roy O. Disney and Edna Francis Disney. His father and his uncle, Walt Disney, co-founded the Disney entertainment business in 1923.

After attending Harvard School and Pomona College, Disney launched his entertainment industry career in 1952, working as an assistant film editor on the “Dragnet” TV series.

He joined The Walt Disney Studios in 1953 as an assistant film editor, where his credits included the landmark Academy Award(R)-winning True-Life Adventures features, “The Living Desert” and “The Vanishing Prairie.” As a writer and production associate, he received Oscar(R) nominations for his work on the short subject, “Mysteries of the Deep” in 1959, and in 2003 for his work as executive producer for “Destino.”

Disney produced and directed some 35 other TV and theatrical production, including the landmark 1968 documentary, “Varda, the Peregrine Falcon,” before leaving in 1977 to become an independent producer and investor.

In 1978, Disney founded Shamrock Holdings, Inc., a wholly-owned family enterprise headquartered in Burbank, California, which specializes in private equity, real estate, and public equities investing. He served as chairman of the company, which has approximately $1.5 billion of capital committed to funds.

An avid competitive sailor, Disney holds several elapsed-time records for offshore races in the Pacific Ocean, including multiple wins in the 2,225-mile Transpac.

Among his many professional and philanthropic activities, Disney served on the board of trustees of California Institute of the Arts, the advisory board of St. Joseph Medical Center, and the board of Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles, Inc. Additionally, he was an advisory member of the board of directors of the United States Committee for UNICEF, chairman emeritus of the board of directors of the Peregrine Fund, a member of the board of trustees of Ronald McDonald House charities, and a member of the board of trustees of the American Ireland Fund.

In 1993, he received the Winsor McCay Award (a special “Annie Award”) from ASIFA-Hollywood (The International Animated Film Society). The McCay Award is for lifetime achievement in animation. In 1997, Disney was awarded the first “Mort Walker Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Cartoon Industry,” by the Boca Raton International Museum of Cartoon Art.

Disney received an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree from his alma mater Pomona College in 1998. In 2002, he received an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree from Mercy College in New York. The following year, he was presented with the Trustees’ Award and honorary Doctor of the Arts degree from CalArts.

Among his other honors, Disney was named a recipient of the 1999 National Catholic Education Association Elizabeth Ann Seton Award, which recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to children and education. In April 1999, Disney received the Henry Bergh Humane Award from the ASPCA, and in spring 2000, he was awarded the Inaugural Environmental Leadership Award from the Audubon Society.

Disney is survived by his wife, Leslie, and four children from his marriage to Patricia Dailey Disney – Tim Disney, Roy Patrick Disney, Abigail Disney, and Susan Disney Lord. He is also survived by 16 grandchildren.

Funeral services will be private, followed by cremation. His ashes will be scattered at sea. Plans for a Life Celebration will be announced shortly. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to The Roy and Patricia Disney Family Cancer Center at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, California.

BURBANK, Calif., Dec 02, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) — The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS) board today declared an annual cash dividend of $0.35 per share, payable on January 19, 2010 to shareholders of record at the close of business December 14, 2009. The January dividend payment represents the 54th consecutive year of dividend payments to shareholders.

“While last year was a challenging one, our strategic focus has remained consistent and our execution disciplined,” said Robert A. Iger, president and CEO. “We are pleased to be able to continue returning capital to our shareholders through dividends while investing for future growth.”

The Company also announced that it has scheduled its annual shareholders’ meeting for Wednesday, March 10, 2010 at 10:00 AM in San Antonio, Texas.