Disney Ups Sales & Marketing Exec

BURBANK: Rita Ferro has been promoted to executive VP of Disney Media Sales and Marketing, effective June 28.

Ferro will relocate from Miami to New York. Ferro has been working in Miami with Disney and ESPN’s Latin American business since 1997. She takes over for Tricia Wilber, who was recently named chief marketing officer for The Walt Disney Company for Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

In her new role, Ferro will lead the integrated sales team that covers advertising sales, marketing and promotions across The Walt Disney Company’s media platforms. The portfolio includes Disney Channel, Disney XD, Playhouse Disney—soon to re-brand as Disney Junior—plus more than 20 Disney Online properties. She will report to Caroline Lightcap, the president of Disney Channels Worldwide; Paul Yanover, the executive VP and managing director of Disney Online; and Russell Hampton, the president of Disney Publishing Worldwide.

Lightcap said, "Rita has a great reputation in the advertising community and a strong background in generating strategic opportunities for diverse clients in a dynamic multichannel, multi-brand business." She continued, "I am excited to be working closely with her again, and know our integrated ad sales team stands to benefit enormously from her keen insights, strong relationships and leadership skills."

"I look forward to working with Rita to build strategic cross-platform business opportunities," stated Yanover. "Her multi-faceted background and experience leveraging strong brands to create unique solutions is a huge benefit to our integrated sales organization."