Disney veteran Debra OConnell has been elevated to the brand new position of president, News Group and Networks, Disney Entertainment.
In the restructure, OConnell provides ABC News to her present purview that features the ABC Owned Television Stations and P&L tasks throughout the Disney multiplatform linear leisure networks, together with ABC, Disney Channels, FX Networks, Freeform and National Geographic Channels. She will proceed to report back to Dana Walden, co-chairman, Disney Entertainment.
Kim Godwin, president, ABC News, will be a part of Chad Matthews, president, ABC Owned Television Stations, in reporting to OConnell.
“Debra is an excellent executive who has succeeded in a wide range of leadership roles around our company and knows very well the extraordinary power of ABC News and its world-class journalists,” Walden mentioned. “This new role gives her oversight across all our linear operations, where she will be able to optimize our iconic brands and shepherd them into the future. I look forward to having her lead these incredibly talented teams as we build on our success.”
OConnell, a revered, 27-year veteran of The Walt Disney Company, most not too long ago served as president, Networks and Television Business Operations for DET.
Previously, OConnell led WABC-TV New York as president and common supervisor, the place she had general administration accountability for the station and all of its ancillary companies in addition to Live with Kelly and Ryan. Under her management, the long-running hit collection turned the No. 1 syndicated daytime discuss present for the primary time in franchise historical past. In her earlier govt roles, she served as EVP, Sales and Marketing, of Disney|ABC’s consolidated promoting gross sales group; president, National TV Sales, ABC Owned Television Stations; and vice chairman of promoting at WABC-TV.
OConnell is on the board of administrators for A&E Networks, National Geographic Partners and TVB, a not-for-profit commerce affiliation representing America’s native broadcast tv business.
“I consider it a privilege to advocate for the best networks, the best news organization and the best stations in the world, and thank Dana for her leadership and trust,” OConnell mentioned. “I’m excited to work with Kim, Chad and these exceptional teams on strategies to superserve our viewers for years to come.”