Disney TV Animation Bolsters Development Team

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Elizabeth Waybright Taylor has been promoted to VP of development at Disney Television Animation, alongside new hire Lisa Fragner.

Fragner has joined Disney Television Animation as VP of development, bolstering the animation studio’s senior ranks as it helps fuel the rapidly expanding content slate for Disney+. From 2003 to 2021, Fragner served as VP and head of development at Blue Sky Studios, a division of The Walt Disney Studios, spearheading several creator-driven feature films from concept pitch to greenlight, including Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs, Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears a Who, Rio, Spies in Disguise and Nimona.

Taylor, meanwhile, will oversee a team that identifies and oversees new animated Disney Channel content for kids 6 to 11 and families. A Disney veteran for 11 years, she was most recently executive director of development at Disney Television Animation. Taylor has shepherded a slew of projects through development, including The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse, Amphibia, Kiff and the recently announced Primos.

Both Fragner and Taylor report to Emily Hart, senior VP of animation development for Disney Branded Television.

Hart said, “Elizabeth’s decade of experience at TVA and her passion for creator-driven projects makes her the ideal executive to lead our development slate for Disney Channel. She has an eye toward curating character-driven comedies and is a strong partner and ally to talent—a true champion of their creative vision. I’m delighted to see her take on this leadership role with the development team!”

Meredith Roberts, senior VP and general manager for television animation at Disney Branded Television, said, “Strong creative executives are the key to our success in the marketplace. Lisa has deep experience in the animation industry, and her acute creative and business sense—especially as a longtime mentor of creator talent from underrepresented groups—is a hand-in-glove fit with our commitment to world-class storytelling.”

She continued, “Emily’s team has demonstrated formidable talent and ability to collaborate across the company, and I have confidence that we will continue to meet our ambitious goals.”