Disney boosts animation ranks

Disney Television Animation (DTA) has made several executive appointments to boost the number of shows being developed for its Disney Junior, Disney Channel and Disney XD brands.

Eric Coleman

Eric Coleman has been promoted to senior VP of original programming and general manager of DTA, having previously been its senior VP of original series.

In addition, Jonathan Schneider has been promoted to VP of strategy from his previous role as executive director of development, while Aaron Simpson has joined from digital entertainment firm Mondo Media as VP of development.

Shane Prigmore has been named VP of creative affairs, while DreamWorks Animation (DWA)’s Bonnie Lemon has joined as VP of production.

Prigmore joined DTA in 2014 to develop and act as co-executive producer and creative director on Tangled, the TV studio’s series based on the feature film of the same name.

Coleman will continue to lead Disney’s animated television development, casting and music for series seen on Disney Channel and Disney XD.

He will continue to report to Gary Marsh, president and chief creative officer of Disney Channels Worldwide.

Schneider, Simpson and Prigmore will report to Coleman, while Lemon, who recently produced Kung Fu Panda 3 at DWA, will report to Lisa Salamone Smith, senior VP of production at DTA.

In her new role, Lemon will manage both in-house and outside productions across the Disney Junior slate.

DTA’s productions include Phineas and Ferb, Sofia the First, Jake and the Never Land Pirates, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Wander Over Yonder.

Along with Tangled, upcoming series include The Lion Guard, Elena of Avalor, Tangled, DuckTales, Mickey and the Roadster Racers, Pickle & Peanut and Future-Worm!.