Disney rejigs EMEA leadership

The international arm of The Walt Disney Company has appointed a new president for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA).

Rebecca Campbell

Rebecca Campbell, currently president of ABC Owned Television Stations and ABC Daytime, will assume the role on January 1 next year.

Campbell will take over from Diego Lerner, who will return to his home in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where he will take on a new role as a part of the Walt Disney International management team, reporting to its chairman, Andy Bird.

Campbell has spent the last 20 years in the Disney/ABC Television Group, with her current role covering the company’s eight local TV stations and their digital assets in areas such as New York, LA, Chicago and San Francisco. She also oversees ABC National Television Sales and ABC Daytime.

Lerner has served in the position since 2009, overseeing all lines of business of The Walt Disney Company in EMEA except ESPN and Disneyland Resort Paris.

During his tenure, Disney’s EMEA business has grown significantly and has seen “continuous improvement in consumer affinity” for its brands, the Mouse House said.

Prior to his current role, Lerner held a similar position for 10 years in Latin America, where he led the effort to integrate all Disney lines of business under a single operational structure.

The vertically integrated model that Lerner developed in Latin America went on to serve as the template for Disney International’s operations in territories around the globe, the firm said.

“Rebecca’s ability to manage and lead the many disparate and geographically diverse stations across the US with such incredible success makes her the best choice to lead our efforts in such a complex region,” said Bird.

Campbell added: “Diego’s hard work during the past decade leaves us well prepared for our next wave of growth. I look forward to working with everyone in EMEA to elevate the Disney business, deepen our connection with existing consumers and engage new ones.”