Disney Realigns Consumer Products, Interactive Divisions
The Walt Disney Company announced a realignment of two of its divisions, Disney Consumer Products and Disney Interactive. The new combined segment, Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media (DCPI), will be run jointly by Leslie Ferraro, co-chair, DCPI and president, Disney Consumer Products; and Jimmy Pitaro, co-chair, DCPI and president, Disney Interactive.
“Both Disney Interactive and Disney Consumer Products have a strong track record of connecting people to their favorite stories and characters,” said Tom Staggs, COO, The Walt Disney Company, in a statement released yesterday. “As technology and digital entertainment continue to evolve, a shared innovation strategy will enable this new segment to create unique and engaging products and experiences that exceed consumers’ expectations.”
The new structure is designed to share technological expertise and maximize opportunities and efficiencies across two divisions that have increasingly become focused on similar objectives of delivering cutting-edge, interactive consumer experiences and products. In addition, the change will more effectively leverage Disney’s extensive licensing structure and retail relationships across both segments.
A new team called DCPI Labs will focus on products. DCPI Labs will report directly to Ferraro and Pitaro. Disney Publishing Worldwide will also report jointly to Ferraro and Pitaro. Functional areas—including Finance, Strategy and Business Development, Technology, Human Resources, and Communications—will be combined into joint teams reporting to both Pitaro and Ferraro.
The traditional consumer products portfolio—product development, licensing, retail relationship management, and more—will continue under Ferraro’s leadership. Pitaro will continue to manage social and mobile games, Asia games, online media and sales, and Disney Infinity.
Disney says that it plans to report the combined businesses as one segment for financial reporting purposes as of the beginning of fiscal 2016.
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