Disney Reshuffles Its Tech Executive Deck

The Walt Disney Co. has created a new hub for international content creation to support its direct-to-consumer business. 

The Burbank entertainment and media giant has appointed Rebecca Campbell as chairman of the international content and operations division.

In her expanded role at Disney, Campbell will oversee local and regional content production for Disney’s streaming services as well as continuing to focus on international teams worldwide. She will report directly to Chief Executive Bob Chapek.

Previously, Campbell served as chairman of International Operations and Direct-to-Consumer, after holding senior leadership roles across Disney’s media, international and parks businesses during a nearly 25-year tenure.

Additionally, Disney is making two executive appointments in its Media & Entertainment Distribution segment. 

Michael Paull has been promoted to the newly created role of president of Disney Streaming, with accountability for Disney+, ESPN+, Hulu and Star+ and will oversee these platforms globally.

Joe Earley has been named president of Hulu and will report to Paull. He previously served as executive vice president of marketing and operations for Disney+.

In a statement, Chapek said that Disney’s direct-to-consumer business has progressed at a tremendous pace in just a few short years, and the organization has continued to grow and evolve in support of its ambitious global streaming strategy.

“Rebecca has played a vital role in orchestrating our global platform expansion, and I’m excited that she will be leading our new International Content group, bringing her expertise and talent to oversee the growing pipeline of original local and regional content for our streaming services while continuing to lead our international operations,” Chapek said in the statement. 

The International Content and Operations group will be home to a fourth content-creation engine for the company, alongside the Studios Content, General Entertainment Content and Sports Content groups, Disney said in a release. 

Campbell said that Disney is admired for the quality of its storytelling, and she was honored to continue leading the international teams as they build on that legacy.

“Great content is what drives the success of our streaming services, and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work even more closely with the talented creators in our international markets who are producing new stories with local relevance to delight our audiences around the globe,” Campbell said in a statement. 

Kareem Daniel, chairman of the Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution segment, said that Paull has deep experience in the world of streaming with a proven track record of expanding the company’s streaming operations. 

“Bringing Disney’s streaming platforms together under Michael’s expert leadership will allow us to create an even more compelling value proposition for consumers,” Daniel said in a statement. 

Paull joined Disney in 2017 with the company’s acquisition of BAMTech Media, where he served as chief executive. BAMTech was the direct-to-consumer technology and marketing spinoff of MLB Advanced Media, the digital arm of Major League Baseball. Prior to his promotion he served as head of Disney+.

“Now that we have established our platforms as category leaders, I’m looking forward to the new challenges ahead as we continue to innovate and scale globally, while delighting consumers with all the incredible entertainment and sports programming coming from our content partners,” Paull said in a statement. 

As the new president of Hulu, the Santa Monica streaming service that is co-owned by Disney and Comcast Corp., Earley will build on the general-entertainment service’s reputation as a destination for popular original series and films and live TV.