Carolina Lightcap Steps Down at Disney, Gary Marsh Moves Up

BURBANK: Carolina Lightcap, the president of Disney Channels Worldwide, is exiting her post, effectively immediately, while Gary Marsh steps into the president role, along with his duties as chief creative officer.

Lightcap joined The Walt Disney Company in 2000. She has served as the senior VP of programming and creative affairs for Disney Channels Latin America/Disney Media Networks, and as chief marketing officer of The Walt Disney Company Latin America. In her role as president of Disney Channels Worldwide, Lightcap was responsible for much success at Disney Channel and Disney XD, and also led the launch of Disney Junior.

Anne Sweeney, co-chair of Disney Media Networks and president of Disney/ABC Television Group, said, “We’re sorry that Carolina has decided to leave us and appreciate her many valuable contributions over the years. During her tenure as president, Disney Channels Worldwide continued its incredible momentum, with the channel just delivering its most watched summer in history with kids 6 to 11. She will be missed.”

“I’m extremely proud of the accomplishments over the past 11 years at both Disney Latin America and Disney Channels Worldwide,” noted Lightcap. “Building Disney Channel into number  in Latin America, not just with kids but also in households, is a career highlight. And in the U.S., with Disney Channel, Disney XD and Disney Junior all enjoying some of their best ratings ever, I feel the timing is perfect to move on to my next challenge. My heartfelt thanks to Anne Sweeney for her guidance and inspiration. I’ll miss working with her and the talented Disney Channels Worldwide team.”

Marsh takes over as president, also continuing in his role as the channel’s chief creative officer. He will be responsible for all Disney’s kids’ TV business, which has more than 100 channels and feeds that are available in 169 countries.

In commenting on Marsh and his promotion, Sweeney said, “Gary Marsh has been the driving creative force behind Disney Channels remarkable growth for the past 15 plus years, responsible for some of the most iconic and successful franchises in our history, including Hannah Montana, Wizards of Waverly Place, High School Musical, Phineas and Ferb, That’s So Raven, Shake It Up and many others.” She continued, “The evolution and growth of our Disney Channels business will come from the alignment of this great creative with strong distribution, in all its myriad forms. There is no one better suited to manage this than Gary. He not only understands the zeitgeist of kids’ culture, he helped create it. Our business couldn’t be in better hands.”

Marsh commented, “The strength of Disney Channels Worldwide—and its heart—has always been the dynamic and dedicated people who make the magic and put it into the homes and hands of kids and families around the world. These talented people who share my passion for creative excellence are the reason I’ve loved working here. And it’s also why I’m excited by this expanded opportunity to lead this team in creating and delivering content, globally, which entertains, uplifts and inspires.”