A national search will be done by The Walt Disney Co. to find a new creative executive for its theme parks as a replacement for Marty Sklar, a 50-year veteran of the company who is taking on a new role within Disney. The expanded role of creative executive will take in not only theme park rides designed at Disney Imagineering but also live shows, firework displays, and parades at the parks; an online element; and research and development, said Marilyn Waters, spokeswoman for Disney Imagineering. “The expanded role will allow for collaboration across various company divisions,” Waters said. Sklar, 72, is stepping aside as vice president and creative executive at Glendale-based Imagineering for a new role as an “ambassador” with the company’s global parks and resort operations, which includes Imagineering, the theme parks and cruise line. “Every job that Marty has had he’s been the first one to have that job,” Waters said. Among Sklar’s duties in his new role will be recruitment; giving speeches and presentations; organizing museum exhibitions; and involvement with the company-wide leadership development program, Waters said.
