Disney International Announces New President For Europe, Middle East And Africa Organization

BURBANK, Calif., Sept. 21, 2017 /CNW/ -- Walt Disney International today announced that Rebecca Campbell, President, ABC Owned Television Station Group and ABC Daytime, will assume the role of President, The Walt Disney Company Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) effective January 1, 2018.

Diego Lerner, current President, The Walt Disney Company EMEA, 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.

Rebecca Campbell (PRNewsfoto/The Walt Disney Company)

In announcing Ms. Campbell's appointment, Mr. Bird said, "Rebecca's ability to manage and lead the many disparate and geographically diverse stations across the U.S. with such incredible success makes her the best choice to lead our efforts in such a complex region. Given Rebecca's leadership role in the ever-changing media and entertainment landscape, she is uniquely positioned for success. Her combination of creative experience, leadership skills and business acumen will be a tremendous asset as we continue to develop new avenues of growth."

Ms. Campbell has spent the last 20 years in the Disney/ABC Television Group where she is responsible for the company's eight local TV stations and their digital assets --widely regarded as the top station group in the United States -- in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Houston, Raleigh-Durham and Fresno. In addition, Ms. Campbell also oversees ABC National Television Sales, and ABC Daytime.

"I want to thank Andy for giving me this incredible opportunity to lead the talented EMEA team. I couldn't be more honored," Ms. Campbell said. "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." 

Mr. Lerner has served since 2009 as President, The Walt Disney Company EMEA, where he has overseen all lines of business of The Walt Disney Company except ESPN and Disneyland Resort Paris. During his tenure, the EMEA business has grown significantly and has seen continuous improvement in the consumer affinity for its brands. Lerner reshaped the organization to generate greater local relevance for The Walt Disney Company across the diverse range of consumers in the region's more than one hundred countries. Prior to his current role, he 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 first time such a reorganization had been implemented overseas. The vertically integrated model that Mr. Lerner developed in Latin America went on to serve as the template for Disney International's operations in territories around the globe.

"Diego's contributions to The Walt Disney Company have been transformational and long-lasting," said Mr. Bird. "In addition to successfully helping us expand in key international markets, launching new businesses and developing new programing, he is a trusted advisor and tireless advocate for what makes Disney stand apart: our commitment to creating high-quality family entertainment. While Diego will be returning home to Buenos Aires, he will remain a key part of the WDI management team."

With more than 34 years of experience in broadcasting, Ms. Campbell has led local television stations in Pennsylvania and New York, including WABC-TV, the top-rated station in the nation's largest television market. Additionally, she has served as president and general manager of WPVI-TV in Philadelphia, the highest-rated station in the Philadelphia market.

Throughout her career in local broadcasting, Ms. Campbell has received various honors for her organizational leadership and community service, including the "Women of Distinction Award" from the Philadelphia Business Journal and the Philadelphia Ad Club's "Pinnacle Award of Excellence." She was named 2013 Broadcaster of the Year by the Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters and was inducted into their Hall of Fame in May 2013 and was named "Executive VoluntEAR of the Year" by the Walt Disney Company in 2015. She also served as a mentor in the Women In Entertainment Mentorship Program of the Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles and was awarded with the BBBS "Excellence in Mentoring" award in 2016. Ms. Campbell is on the board of the Broadcasters Foundation of America, Girls Inc., and serves on the board of directors of Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI). She graduated from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania.

SOURCE The Walt Disney Company

Zenia Mucha, Corporate Communications, [phone]; Kevin Brockman, Disney|ABC TV, [phone]; Matthew Grossman, Corporate Communications EMEA, [phone]; Jacob DiPietre, Corporate Communications, [phone]; Karen Hobson, Disney|ABC TV, [phone]