Less than a month after laying off 650 employees US media conglomerate Disney has announced a major restructuring of its home entertainment division.
Buena Vista Home Entertainment and Buena Vista Home Entertainment International will be integrated into one global division — Buena Vista Worldwide Home Entertainment (BVWHE).
BVWHE president Bob Chapek says, “With the rapidly changing landscape facing the home entertainment industry, we need to embrace not only new technologies but the global nature of our business as well. This new organisation addresses the need for global strategies and allows for market customisation.”
Chapek will lead BVWHE along with executive VP worldwide sales, distribution and trade marketing Pat Fitzgerald; executive VP of worldwide marketing, creative content and business development Gordon Ho, VP worldwide HR and communication Richard Ramsey and senior VP worldwide business and legal affairs Kristin McQueen.
In addition to this core worldwide team, Bill Segil has taken on the newly created position of senior VP worldwide operations. In this capacity, he will broaden his operational scope to include all worldwide supply chain strategies under Fitzgerald. Andy Siditsky has been named senior vice president of Worldwide Creative Services & DVD Production and will continue to lead the development of worldwide creative advertising and DVD production under Ho.
Siditsky will also add new programming to his responsibilities. Eric Maehara will serve as VP of worldwide communications and will manage worldwide publicity along with trade and home entertainment communications for the new division under Ramsey.
Commenting on the new global team Chapek said, “Pat Fitzgerald is one of the most aggressive and savvy executives in this industry. I am delighted that he will bring his considerable talents to overseeing our worldwide sales and operational teams.
“Gordon Ho has been an industry leader and major force in our key marketing and product strategies for BVHE titles. His creative and strategic contributions will be critical to our continued success in the global marketplace. Richard Ramsey has helped build the best team in the industry and will play a key role in building our global team. Kristin McQueen possesses a tremendous ability to quickly assess legal situations and gauge their commercial implications. We are confident that she will continue to successfully lead BVHE business and legal affairs in the global marketplace.”
In addition to the worldwide team, the new division will incorporate regional teams to manage day to day operations in the markets. The three regions include North America, Asia Pacific/Latin America, and Europe/Middle East and Africa. Lori MacPherson has been named the new GM for the US. Daniel Solnicki has taken on the role of GM for Asia Pacific and Latin America.Julie Sneddon continues in her position as GM for Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
Chapek adds, “Lori MacPherson’s tremendous managerial and leadership skills will continue to drive the North American business. Her successful track record as a marketing leader will continue to innovate with consumer and trade programmes and keep us at the forefront of the market.
“Strong regional marketing, sales and distribution executives are key to the successful integration of BVHE product into the marketplace. Daniel Solnicki and Julie Sneddon have demonstrated their formidable talents and abilities to integrate our marketing and sales strategies into diverse cultures. We are delighted that they will help lead our international organisations.
“Entertainment is a rapidly changing business and with our dynamic and talented team in place we are poised to maximise our opportunities across the globe,” said Chapek.
