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Disney/Animation/Executives: Schumacher To Focus On Theater
Friday January 3, 12:02 pm ET
BURBANK, Calif. -(Dow Jones)- Walt Disney Co. (NYSE
IS - News) confirmed plans to merge its television-animation unit with the Disney Channel and named Barry Blumberg the head of Walt Disney television animation.
In a press release Friday, Disney said Thomas Schumacher, who had been in charge of animation, will focus on the company's live theater division as president of Buena Vista Theatrical Worldwide.
As expected, the moves also shift former president of television animation David Stainton to president of Walt Disney feature animation, which makes movies for theatrical release.
The Wall Street Journal reported Friday that the company was expected to consolidate its Disney Channel and television-animation units as part of a drive to increase production of cartoon series for its cable and broadcast networks.
Disney said the reorganization is part of its plan to improve its overall use of resources and focus on creating endearing characters and franchises.
The company said that merging its television into its Disney Channel division allows it to combine production and development, similar to when it merged its television-production unit into the ABC Television network.
Blumberg, an eight-year Disney veteran, most recently served as executive vice president of television animation. He will report to Anne Sweeney, the president of the ABC Cable Networks Group and Disney Channel Worldwide.
Schumacher has been with Disney feature animation for 15 years and is credited with helping to turn around the company's animated movies. He had also been working with the stage productions, producing Broadway shows such as "The Lion King" and "Aida."
Stainton, who joined the company in 1989, had been the president of the television animation business since January 2001.
-Kara Wetzel; Dow Jones Newswires; 201-938-5388<<<
http://biz.yahoo.com/djus/030103/1202000207_2.html
And this the process of dismantling Disney's animation department begins...
Disney/Animation/Executives: Schumacher To Focus On Theater
Friday January 3, 12:02 pm ET
BURBANK, Calif. -(Dow Jones)- Walt Disney Co. (NYSE
IS - News) confirmed plans to merge its television-animation unit with the Disney Channel and named Barry Blumberg the head of Walt Disney television animation.In a press release Friday, Disney said Thomas Schumacher, who had been in charge of animation, will focus on the company's live theater division as president of Buena Vista Theatrical Worldwide.
As expected, the moves also shift former president of television animation David Stainton to president of Walt Disney feature animation, which makes movies for theatrical release.
The Wall Street Journal reported Friday that the company was expected to consolidate its Disney Channel and television-animation units as part of a drive to increase production of cartoon series for its cable and broadcast networks.
Disney said the reorganization is part of its plan to improve its overall use of resources and focus on creating endearing characters and franchises.
The company said that merging its television into its Disney Channel division allows it to combine production and development, similar to when it merged its television-production unit into the ABC Television network.
Blumberg, an eight-year Disney veteran, most recently served as executive vice president of television animation. He will report to Anne Sweeney, the president of the ABC Cable Networks Group and Disney Channel Worldwide.
Schumacher has been with Disney feature animation for 15 years and is credited with helping to turn around the company's animated movies. He had also been working with the stage productions, producing Broadway shows such as "The Lion King" and "Aida."
Stainton, who joined the company in 1989, had been the president of the television animation business since January 2001.
-Kara Wetzel; Dow Jones Newswires; 201-938-5388<<<
http://biz.yahoo.com/djus/030103/1202000207_2.html
And this the process of dismantling Disney's animation department begins...
