Disney Merges Kids, Family-Targeted Ad Sales Teams

BURBANK, February 6: The Walt Disney Company has merged the
advertising sales and promotions teams for its kids- and family-focused
television, online, radio and publishing businesses under the Disney Media
Advertising Sales and Marketing Group, led by Tricia Wilber as executive VP.

Wilber will report to three business unit leaders—Rich
Ross, the president of Disney Channel Worldwide; Steve Wadsworth, the president
of Walt Disney Internet Group; and Russell Hampton, the president of Disney
Publishing Worldwide.

Ross said, "The most
powerful media reaching kids and families is now working in concert to deliver
creative, customized and integrated marketing solutions to advertisers who are
increasingly evolving away from the traditional media buying model. With our
unparalleled global brand that kids love and parents trust and this
enterprising team joining forces under Tricia's leadership, we are confident we
will best serve our clients and reach our consumers no matter what medium they
are using."

As part of the reorganization, Wilber has named a senior
team to lead each business area and to guide multiplatform opportunities. They
are: Michele Scarola, the senior VP for TV sales and the Eastern multimedia
leader; Brad Davis, the senior VP for online sales and the Western multimedia
leader; Jon Sayer, the VP of ad sales for Radio Disney and the Midwest
multimedia leader; and Mary Beth Wright, the publisher of Disney Adventures and
FamilyFun magazines and leader of the unit’s publishing sales team.

Three executives will also direct the multiplatform support
areas that will leverage the expertise of the group: Kara Rousseau, the senior
VP of marketing and sales development; Julie Watkins, the VP of revenue
planning; and John Spadaro, the VP of research. Laura Nathanson will continue
to oversee the ABC Family and abcfamily.com ad sales group.