Please wait...
Please wait...

Joe Earley named Hulu president as Disney reorganises D2C business

Disney has revealed that Joe Earley, previously executive VP of marketing and operations at Disney+, has been appointed president of Hulu to succeed Kelly Campbell, who left the company in October to join Peacock.

Joe Earley (photo: Brian Bowen Smith)

The move comes as Disney creates a new International Content Group arm to support the growth of its direct-to-consumer business.

The new unit will be headed by Rebecca Campbell (no relation to Kelly Campbell), who will serve as chairman of international content and operations.

In the new role, she will focus on local and regional content production for Disney’s streaming services. She will also continue to oversee Disney’s international media teams worldwide.

Disney has also made several key executive appointments to the Disney Media and Entertainment Distribution (DMED) division, which is led by chairman Kareem Daniel.

Michael Paull, the former head of Disney+, has been promoted to the newly created role of president of Disney streaming, with global oversight of Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+ and Star+, reporting to Daniel.

Newly appointed Hulu president Earley will report to Paull, whose former role as head of Disney+ will be filled in due course. Russell Wolff will continue to serve as head of ESPN+.

“Disney’s direct-to-consumer efforts have progressed at a tremendous pace in just a few short years, and our organisation has continued to grow and evolve in support of our ambitious global streaming strategy,” said Bob Chapek, CEO of The Walt Disney Company in a statement.

Bob Chapek

“Rebecca has played a vital role in orchestrating our global platform expansion, and I’m excited that she will be leading our new International Content Group, bringing her expertise and talent to oversee the growing pipeline of original local and regional content for our streaming services while continuing to lead our international operations.

“Likewise, with a relentless focus on serving consumers, Kareem has developed an industry-leading team of seasoned executives who are uniquely equipped to take our streaming business into Disney’s next century.”

According to Disney, it had 179 million subscribers across Disney+, ESPN+ and Hulu at the end of fiscal 2021. By fiscal 2023, it plans to double the number of countries in which it is available to more than 160. It currently has 340 titles in various stages of development and production for its streaming services.

In other news Rebecca, an original crime series from French commercial broadcaster TF1, is being added to Hulu’s line up.

The series, produced in France by Elephant, is shopped internationally by UK-based distributor Cineflix Rights.

The eight-part series has also sold to DirecTV in Latin America and Sky Brasil.

Please wait...