Adam Smith The Walt Disney Company Disney Entertainment is making some significant changes to its senior leadership, with Adam Smith being named chairman of direct-to-consumer for the division, overseeing all elements of Disney Entertainment’s DTC business, including product, engineering, advertising technology, programming, viewer experience, partnerships, and data and analytics for Disney+ and Hulu.
Meanwhile, Joe Earley, who had been co-president of direct-to-consumer, will move to a new role as president of Disney Entertainment Television franchise and content strategy, reporting to Deb OConnell.
Smith, a veteran of YouTube (where he led YouTube Premium and YouTube Music), joined Disney two years ago with a mandate to reimagine the product and technology underpinning the company’s streaming ambitions.
The new role will place all of the company’s DTC efforts under one executive, a structure that will matter even more as CEO Josh D’Amaro follows through on his plan to make Disney+ the “digital centerpiece” of the company. The previous structure saw multiple executives each overseeing different elements of the DTC experience, reporting up to Walden and Alan Bergman. The new structure simplifies it under Smith.
“Over the past two years, Adam has done an exceptional job building a world-class team of product and technology leaders and has significantly enhanced the Disney+ user experience globally,” said Dana Walden, Disney’s president & chief creative officer, in a statement. “Alan Bergman and I are pleased to recognize the tremendous impact he has had on our direct-to-consumer business since he joined Disney, and we are confident that he is the right leader to meet the critical moment we’re in and take us to the next level.”
“Disney has the best storytellers and the most passionate fandom in the world, and I couldn’t be prouder of what this team has built together,” added Smith. “We’ve established real momentum, and our vision ahead is clear: make Disney+ the connection point for fans everywhere to engage with the full breadth and depth of the broader Disney ecosystem. I’m grateful for this team, energized by what’s ahead, and excited for our next chapter.”
Earley, meanwhile, joined Disney in 2019 as part of the 21st Century Fox deal (Walden also joined the company in that deal), serving in a number of roles, including president of Hulu, and later adding Disney+ to his purview.
In his new role Earley will lead strategic development for Disney Entertainment’s TV franchises, as well as content and production for international originals, production, labor relations and creative talent development.
“Joe has been an exceptional leader for our direct-to-consumer business over the past four years, and I am deeply grateful for his partnership and meaningful contributions,” said Walden. “He is a talented executive with a rare combination of business acumen and creative instincts, and Debra OConnell and I could not be more excited to welcome him to the leadership team at Disney Entertainment Television.”
Earlier this summer, Disney+ president Alisa Bowen exited to join Fubo as its CEO.
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