Disney TV Studios Restructures Leadership Team

Disney Television Studios has revealed a restructured leadership team, with Jonnie Davis appointed president of ABC Studios.

As part of the restructuring, Patrick Moran and Howard Davine will step down from their leadership roles at ABC Studios.

Davis joined 20th Century Fox Television in January 2008 as senior VP of comedy development and soon rose to executive VP of comedy. He later held the role of executive VP of comedy and animation development, before being named president of creative affairs, alongside Business Operations President Howard Kurtzman.

At 20th Century Fox Television, Carolyn Cassidy has been promoted to president of creative affairs and will run that studio alongside Kurtzman. Cassidy most recently served as executive VP of current series for 20th Century Fox Television and ran the current series department since July 2015.

Josh Sussman will be promoted to executive VP of business affairs at ABC Studios, where he will work for Davis. Sussman has served as senior VP of business affairs at 20th Century Fox Television since 2016.

Davis, Cassidy and Kurtzman will report to Craig Hunegs, president of Disney Television Studios. Bert Salke continues as president of Fox 21 Television Studios, also reporting to Hunegs.

“This exceptional group is uniquely qualified to continue building our position as the strongest studios in the industry and the very best home for talent,” said Hunegs.

“Jonnie is a great leader with infectious energy and optimism, as well as an incredible partner to our creators. The award-winning quality, diversity and sheer number of series he developed and oversaw at 20th, along with the relationships he has with writers, producers, directors and actors, are second to none. Together with Josh, a gifted business affairs strategist, Jonnie is poised to take ABC Studios to even greater levels of success.”

Hunegs continued, “Carolyn is an absolute star creative executive with extraordinary leadership skills, a deep understanding of the studio and great relationships with our creators and entire company. We are thrilled that Howard will continue alongside her, as together they make a formidable team. With Fox 21 Television Studios remaining under Bert Salke and Vibiana Molina overseeing business affairs, these three dynamic companies have the exceptional leadership to ensure Disney Television Studios remains a world-class studio and the best home for creators and great storytelling.”

Added Hunegs, “I have enormous respect for Patrick and Howard and for all they have achieved in their careers at ABC Studios. Patrick has developed and overseen many landmark series and has an excellent slate of new shows. I have known Howard for many years and he is one of the most accomplished and effective business affairs executives in our industry, having made a number of groundbreaking deals and run an excellent business. Together they have brought to ABC Studios a wonderful group of writers, producers and executives and made a lasting contribution to The Walt Disney Company.”