This week, Disney makes multiple promotions as part of its executive restructuring efforts.
Disney Names President Of New SVOD Service; President Of Marketing
Multiple executive shifts occurred at Walt Disney as the company moves forward with its executive reorganization plans. Ricky Strauss has been promoted to president of content and marketing for the upcoming Disney SVOD service. At the same time, his previous position has been filled by Asad Ayaz, who was named to president of marketing. Strauss joined Disney in 2012 and led marketing on the theatrical side, managing campaigns for both live-action and animated movies including ones from the Star Wars and Marvel franchises. Meanwhile, 14-year studio veteran Ayaz has long been credited as being a strong part of Strauss’s marketing team.
“We’re so thankful for Ricky’s leadership, and when it came to pass the torch, it was clear there is no one more equipped or deserving to take the reins of our marketing organization than Asad Ayaz, who has been a key driving in evolving our marketing strategy and mobilization,” said Walt Disney Studios president Alan Bergman.
Disney’s SVOD service is expected to launch in 2019.
MTV, VH1 Upgrades CMO
Jacqueline Parkes has been promoted to the expanded role of chief marketing officer and EVP of digital studios for MTV, VH1 and Logo. In this dual role, Parkes will oversee marketing and creative for the group while overseeing digital and social media content for the brands, building on a combined social reach of over 300 million followers worldwide. Parkes joined MTV in 2016 and most recently served as CMO for MTV, VH1 and Logo.
“Over the course of her amazing career, Jacqueline has demonstrated a passion for reinvention and innovation that has also been a hallmark of our brands,” said MTV, VH1 and Logo president Chris McCarthy in a memo to staff. “I’m thrilled that Jacqueline is taking on a bigger role in our organization and will apply her intuitive ability to connect with audiences to our fast-growing digital portfolio.”
Salvatore Ferragamo Ups Its Look With New CMO
Italian luxury brand Salvatore Ferragamo has appointed former fashion magazine journalist Riccardo Vannetti as its new chief marketing officer as the group continues with its reorganization plans to appeal to younger consumers. Vannetti replaces Eraldo Poletto, who left the company in March, and he joins Salvatore Ferragamo days after its head of marketing and communications, Antonio Burrello, announced his departure.
Liongate Names Worldwide Head Of Marketing
Lionsgate has named Damon Wolf as the worldwide head of marketing for its motion pictures group. Wolf is currently an EVP of marketing at TriStar Pictures, Screen Gems and Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions, and will remain with Sony to the end of year. He replaces Tim Palen, who will continue to serve as the company’s chief brand officer, and the shifts are part of a larger restructuring effort that has been in motion since Joe Drake took the lead as motion picture chairman last winter.
On The Border Promotes Senior VP of Marketing
Casual dining restaurant On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina has announced the promotion of Rebecca Miller to senior vice president of marketing. In her new role, Miller will oversee all marketing initiatives in addition to Culinary Innovation, Guest Relations and Catering. Before joining On the Border two years ago, Miller held marketing and brand management leadership positions with Pizza Hut, Inc.
“Rebecca brings a powerful combination of brand building skills and business acumen to On The Border,” On The Border president and CEO Matt Hood said in a statement. “Rebecca’s work-ethic, teamwork and consumer-centric focus have helped make On The Border a stronger company and we are looking forward to the impact her leadership will continue to make on her team and the brand.”
Bacardi Global VP Moves To Holland & Barrett
Caroline Hipperson has been hired by UK-based health food retailer Holland & Barrett as its new global chief marketing officer.
“At Holland & Barrett, we really care about helping people live a healthy and happy life and treading light on the earth while doing so,” said Hipperson in a statement.
Hearst Magazines President Steps Down
David Carey, the president of Hearst Magazines, announced that he will step down from the role at the end of 2018, ending an eight-year career as the division’s head. Carey will continue to serve as chairman of the division through 2019 to help search for his successor in addition to joining the Harvard Advanced Leadership Initiative—a year-long program that is “designed to prepare experienced leaders to take on new challenges in the social sector where they potentially can make an even greater societal impact than they did in their careers.”
“The magazine business worldwide, like all print media, faces change and challenge, but it’s an industry we’ve led for more than 100 years and we will continue to do so,” wrote Hearst Corp. CEO Steven Swartz in the memo announcing the departure to staffers. “Under David, we have become a preeminent global digital publishing company while continuing to launch innovative print editions.”
New CMO Joins The Minnesota Timberwolves And Lynx
Mike Grahl has become the latest addition to The Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx basketball franchises, serving as its new chief marketing officer. In this role he will “oversee all aspects of marketing including branding, advertising, live programming and entertainment, creative services, events, merchandising, websites, email, mobile, digital content and video production.”
Prior to the appointment, Grahl served as the chief digital officer for the Milwaukee Bucks, where his team helped enhance the digital fan experience while growing the digital team revenue by 110 percent over the past three years, according to a press release.
“Mike is one of the most respected digital minds in our industry,” Timberwolves and Lynx CEO Ethan Casson said in a statement. “His achievements throughout his tenure with the Milwaukee Bucks is impressive and we look forward to him bringing his talents and vision to our organization.”
Hulu Picks Up Head Of Advertising Platforms
Hulu has hired Jeremy Helfand to serve as its new VP and head of advertising platforms. Helfand is tasked with leading the company’s ad strategy, ad product innovation, tech investments and partnerships in addition to Hulu’s advertising organization’s engineering operations. He will also team up with Hulu’s ad sales organization, led by SVP and head of advertising sales Peter Naylor.
Prior to joining Hulu, Helfand was VP of Adobe’s primetime business unit and its media and entertainment vertical, where he helped launch its multi-screen OTT platform.
Omnivore Grows Executive Team With CMO Hire
Restaurant technology company Omnivore has named Shane Wheatland as its chief marketing officer. Before joining Omnivore, Wheatland spent more than 20 years serving in leadership roles at Coca-Cola. His experience with leveraging consumer behavior will serve as a center point for Omnivore as it continues to build value for its clients.
“I have been fortunate to work closely with many of the restaurant industry’s finest leaders, and jointly build strategies to drive new trial, frequency and value,” said Wheatland in a statement. “There are certainly many growth opportunities, but I can’t think of a more important one in our industry right now than accelerating the digital experience for guests, staff and support centers.”
CNO Financial Promotes Dana Allen To VP Role
Dana Allen has been promoted to vice president of product marketing at CNO Financial. Allen joined CNO in 2008 and served as the senior director of executive projects since May 2016. She will now be responsible for marketing intelligence, new product development, product marketing, implementation and support in her new role, in addition to negotiating, establishing and executing strategic partnership agreements.
“Dana has been a strong member of the CNO team for the last decade,” Gerardo Monroy, chief marketing officer of CNO Financial, said in a statement. “Her extensive business experience and deep industry knowledge will be instrumental in accelerating our ability to pursue new products opportunities to drive sales growth. I am confident that Dana will continue to help us achieve exceptional results.”
Editor’s Note: Our weekly careers post is updated daily. This installment will be updated until Friday, June 29. Have a new hire tip? We’re looking for senior executive role changes in marketing and media. Let us know at editorial@alistdaily.com.
Job Vacancies
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