Alyssa Sapire to Lead Content for Disney Junior

Alyssa Sapire has been promoted to lead all content for Disney Junior, after having served as acting head of content for the preschool brand since March.

Sapire, who joined Disney in 2016, serves as creative steward for Disney Junior content, with strategic oversight for development, current and acquired programming for linear and streaming. As senior VP of development, series and strategy, she works closely with Disney Media Entertainment and Distribution to identify, develop and bolster Disney Junior franchise opportunities, extending the brand to consumers across multiple touchpoints.

She reports to Ayo Davis, president of Disney Branded Television.

“Alyssa is a dedicated champion of the power of storytelling and the absolute right leader for the Disney Junior brand,” said Davis. “She has assembled a best-in-class team and developed an incredibly strong content slate with one overarching goal: to create magical, memorable stories that provide joy, stoke curiosity and live in the hearts of young audiences everywhere.”

“It’s been an honor to contribute to a brand that plays such an important role in the lives of so many,” said Sapire. “As we look to the future, we will continue to thoughtfully evolve Disney Junior to meet our audiences where they’re at while drawing on nearly 100 years of The Walt Disney Company’s magical storytelling to inspire the imaginations of preschoolers and their families everywhere.”

Sapire has appointed three top executives to direct-report leadership roles in development and current. Kim Berglund, VP of development, will lead development for Disney Junior with oversight of all series, specials and shorts in development, including identifying new creative talent. Diane Ikemiyashiro and Lori Mozilo, both VPs of current series, will now co-lead current for the brand with oversight over all series, specials and shorts in production, working closely with partners across The Walt Disney Company on continued franchises.

Sapire said, “Kim, Lori and Diane bring distinct creative viewpoints, relationships with the best and brightest creative talent and an immense respect and care for the brand and our audience to Disney Junior every day. They have all been incredible partners to me, and I’m thrilled to see them expand their leadership roles.”