Disney Media Networks Announces New Appointments

LONDON, March 20: Following last month’s
announcement that it would integrate its channel and program distribution teams
in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), Disney Media Networks has made four key appointments, including Catherine
Powell as the senior VP of program distribution for EMEA (North).

In hew new role, Powell will drive content sales in the U.K. and Ireland,
Germany, France, the Nordic markets, Israel and Benelux, working with the
company’s program sales heads and their teams in local markets. Powell was previously the VP of sales for the U.K./Ireland, the Nordic
markets, Israel and Benelux at Disney-ABC International Television. She joined
the company in June 2004.

Francesca Tauriello has been tapped as the senior VP of program distribution
for the EMEA (South). In hew new position, she will lead program sales activity
in markets such as Italy, Spain, Central and Eastern Europe, Africa, Turkey,
Greece, Cyprus and the Middle East, working closely with the company’s program
sales heads and their teams. She will remain based in Rome. Tauriello was previously Disney-ABC International Television’s VP of
sales for Northern Mediterranean and the Middle East. She joined the company in
May 2001.

Maria Kyriacou has been named as the senior VP of new-media distribution
for the EMEA and Canada. Based in London, she will lead
new-media sales and strategy within the integrated
business, across both channel and program distribution, with a focus on
developing activity with platforms such as PC, IPTV, mobile and other consumer
devices. Kyriacou will work
closely with Powell, Tauriello and Simon Amselem, the senior VP of channel
distribution for the EMEA. Kyriacou is currently the VP of
portfolio development for EMEA. She joined Disney in March 1995.

Adam Tow has been appointed as the VP of business and legal affairs for the
EMEA and Canada. He will work across all channel, program and new-media
distribution, reporting to Peter Wiley, the senior VP and European general
counsel for The Walt Disney Company, and working closely with Tom Toumazis, the
executive VP and managing director of Disney’s new integrated business. Tow is
currently the VP of business and legal affairs for Disney Channels EMEA. He
joined Disney in October 2006.

Simultaneously, Simon Taylor, Disney-ABC International Television’s current
VP of business and legal affairs since 2006, will now become the VP of business
and legal affairs for Disney Channels EMEA.

All four will report to Toumazis. All appointments are effective from
April.

Toumazis commented: “Each one of these respected executives has played a
role in the strong growth of Disney’s distribution and channel businesses. As
we move towards integration in our distribution activities and further
investment in our local market presence and new media activity, I’m delighted
to be working with them and their teams to ensure our clients have the best
service and support, and to drive our distribution business to further
success.”

—By Irene Lew