Disney Channels Worldwide Gets New Research VP

BURBANK: Jimmy Blackburn has taken on the role of VP of programming research for Disney Channels Worldwide, after spending the past ten years at Nickelodeon, where he was most recently senior director of kids and family audience research.

Blackburn is responsible for directing a team of TV and digital media researches for the Disney Channels Worldwide portfolio, including the planning, development and analysis of audience data. He will also act as a key advisor to management. He will report to Kelly Pena, the senior VP of research for Disney Channels Worldwide. Blackburn started his career as an accountant for Turner Network Television and Turner Classic Movies. He moved over to senior analyst at Cartoon Network Ratings & Online Research. He later worked at MTV Networks as manager for Nickelodeon online research.

Pena commented of Blackburn’s appointment, "Jimmy brings a wealth of knowledge and credibility in the kids TV and digital media research arena, and adds a competitive dimension to our team as we continue to grow our business and build on the deep connection kids have with our content and the trust parents have in our brand."