Disney fills inclusive storytelling role

The Walt Disney Company has promoted Theresa Helmer to a newly created leadership role to strengthen inclusive storytelling on Disney Channel.

Theresa Helmer

Helmer has been with Disney since 2014, most recently serving as director, social media strategy in Disney Channel’s marketing group. Her new role is executive director, integrated content strategy and development.

The newly created position is designed to accelerate racial and cultural diversity and inclusion in creative content for a global audience of kids age two to 14, the Mouse House said.

LA-based Helmer will report to Gary Marsh, president and chief creative officer at Disney Channels Worldwide.

She will collaborate with several departments across the Disney Channels group: consumer insights, movie and series development, current series (short- and longform), the educational resource group and creative content and diversity at Disney Television Animation.

She will also work with the marketing team to implement an operating model that helps drive the portrayal of underrepresented communities into all marketing content.

“Theresa’s unflagging determination, insight and passion have already contributed to enhancing our diversity, inclusion and belonging efforts. In this new role as part of the senior leadership team, she’ll have a seat at the table that will allow her to reinforce further how we can authentically showcase underrepresented populations in our storytelling,” said Marsh.