Disney+ recruits Netflix exec Jaffer

The Walt Disney Company has appointed a former Netflix exec as senior VP of business affairs to work on content for its forthcoming direct-to-consumer service.

Tehmina Jaffer has joined the Mouse House to help launch and run Disney+, which is set to debut in the US later this year.

Jaffer will lead all aspects of business affairs strategy, policy and procedure for Disney+’s content and marketing team.

This will include overseeing the coordination and negotiation of development, production and talent deals and contracts as well as rights, acquisitions, clearances and content agreements for Disney’s streaming service.

Disney+ will feature a host of series and movies mined from the Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars and National Geographic brands.

Jaffer spent just under four years at global streamer Netflix, where she was director of original series and helped develop overall business strategies for series such as Maniac, Narcos and 13 Reasons Why.

Prior to joining Netflix, Jaffer held business and legal roles at NBCUniversal and ABC Studios, respectively.

At Disney, Jaffer will report to Ricky Strauss, president of content and marketing at Disney+.

“Tehmina is an outstanding executive whose expertise and experience will provide tremendous value as we continue to ramp up our Disney+ original programming efforts,” said Strauss.