Disney veteran Debra O'Connell has been elevated to the brand new function of president of Disney Leisure's Information and Networks Group.
Within the restructuring, OConnell provides ABC Information to its present competitors that features ABC-owned tv stations and P&L duties at Disney's multiplatform linear leisure networks, together with ABC, Disney Channels, FX Networks, Freeform and Nationwide Geographic Channels. He’ll proceed to report back to Dana Walden, co-chairman of Disney Leisure.
ABC Information President Kim Godwin, who was awaiting her contract, will be part of Chad Matthews, president of ABC-owned tv stations, in reporting to OConnell.
“Debra is a superb govt who has been profitable in a variety of management roles at our firm and is aware of nicely the extraordinary energy of ABC Information and its world-class journalists,” Walden mentioned. “This new function offers her with oversight of all of our linear operations, the place she’s going to have the ability to optimize our iconic manufacturers and information them into the longer term. “I sit up for her main these extremely gifted groups as we construct on our success.”
OConnell, a revered 27-year veteran of The Walt Disney Firm, most not too long ago served as president of DET's Tv and Community Enterprise Operations.
Beforehand, OConnell led WABC-TV New York as president and basic supervisor, the place she had total administrative duty for the station and all of its ancillary companies, in addition to Lives with Kelly and Ryan. Below his management, the long-running hit collection grew to become the primary syndicated daytime speak present for the primary time in franchise historical past. In her earlier govt roles, she served as govt vice chairman of gross sales and advertising and marketing for Disney | ABC's consolidated promoting gross sales group; President, Nationwide Tv Gross sales, ABC Owned Tv Stations; and vice chairman of selling for WABC-TV.
OConnell serves on the board of administrators of A&E Networks, Nationwide Geographic Companions and TVB, a nonprofit commerce affiliation representing the U.S. native tv business.
“I contemplate it a privilege to champion one of the best networks, one of the best information group and one of the best stations on the earth, and thank Dana for her management and belief,” OConnell mentioned. “I'm excited to work with Kim, Chad and these distinctive groups on methods to serve our viewers for years to come back.”