Rob Gilby to Serve as Disney’s MD for Southeast Asia

BURBANK: Robert Gilby is taking on the newly created role of managing director for The Walt Disney Company Southeast Asia, in addition to his current responsibilities as the managing director of Disney Media Distribution Asia Pacific.

With his new responsibilities, Gilby is tasked with driving the company’s strategy, coordinating and leading all Disney business divisions, overseeing the global franchises, expanding on existing businesses and identifying new opportunities across the region. He will have a particular focus on Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines and Vietnam. This MD role sees him reporting to Andy Bird, the chairman of Walt Disney International.

Gilby retains his current post as the MD for Disney Media Distribution Asia Pacific, reporting to Ben Pyne, the president of global distribution for Disney Media Networks.

"Over the past four years, we have seen extraordinary growth for Disney Media Distribution’s content distribution business in the Asia-Pacific region," said Pyne. "Rob has been a driving force in that growth, working collaboratively with our distribution partners throughout the region to develop new, innovative business models and delivery methods across a variety of platforms. I’m thrilled that, in addition to his new responsibilities, he will continue to lead our talented Disney Media Distribution team, a group that represents the gold standard in the industry."

"The economic and market fundamentals of the Southeast Asian media and entertainment sector represent an enormously attractive opportunity for Disney," added Gilby. "It’s incredibly exciting to be given the opportunity to work in one of the most amazing emerging markets in the world. The organization we create and investments we make, will be focused on capturing the immense potential of the region."