Disney/ABC Television Group Ups Renu Thomas

BURBANK: Renu Thomas has been elevated to executive VP of media operations, engineering and IT at Disney/ABC Television Group.

In her new role, Thomas will work under Ben Sherwood, co-chair of Disney Media Networks and president of Disney/ABC Television Group (DATG). She will collaborate with members of DATG’s senior leadership team to ensure strategic alignment of the group’s investments, initiatives and business growth objectives, including worldwide expansion, organic growth into new markets and new product/service development and deployment. Thomas will work alongside John Frelinghuysen, the executive VP of digital media, strategy and business development, and his team to evaluate and enhance DATG’s current technology needs based on the group’s strategic initiatives. She will also be responsible for the development and implementation of operational and B2B IT strategies and solutions that support the group and its individual business units.

Thomas most recently served as the company’s senior VP of technology and operations under Vince Roberts, who is retiring in January 2016. She first joined The Walt Disney Company in 2007 as executive director of operations for ABC News. Earlier in her career, she held production and operations positions with MacNeil/Lehrer Productions at NBCUniversal.

“Renu has distinguished herself as someone with a deep understanding of our current business operations and the vision needed to guide us into the future,” stated Sherwood. “She is well respected by her peers here at Disney|ABC and by the rest of the industry, and is absolutely deserving of this promotion.”

“I am looking forward to working with the senior leadership team at DATG as we navigate the many opportunities available across our strong portfolio of media brands,” added Thomas.