Disney Executive LEAVES After Over 30 Years With the Company

Chapek is out, Iger is back, and BIG changes are on the way.

Since Bob Iger returned to the CEO position following Bob Chapek’s exit, we’ve seen a number of updates in the executive leadership team. Chapek’s “right hand man” has left, and Disney has announced that there will be organizational changes as a result of the adjustments Iger will be putting in place. But now another change has hit Disney’s executive leadership.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the communications team for Disney’s TV channels is changing. First up, Charissa Gilmor — senior VP of Corporate Communications for Disney General Entertainment — is leaving Disney after more than 30 years with the Company.

Disney shared that they are “thankful to Charissa for her dedication, her many contributions, as well as her steady hand that helped navigate our teams over the years.”

Due to this departure, Naomi Bulochnikov-Paul will step into a NEW position — Executive Vice President, Publicity, and Head of Communications for Disney General Entertainment. She will oversee external and internal communications for the group and will serve as that group’s main spokesperson.

She’ll also keep leading publicity for ABC Entertainment, ABC News, Freeform, and Onyx Collective.

Also, Candice Ashton — SVP, Publicity, Events and Talent Relations for Hulu Originals — will take on some additional responsibility. She’ll “assume oversight of the Disney Television Studios publicity team.” According to Walden, “Her expertise and creativity are valued by her team and will be a perfect fit for Disney Television Studios. ”

The news was shared in a message from Disney General Entertainment chairman, Dana Walden. You can see her full message at the end of this post.

So it seems more executive leadership changes are hitting Disney, and there could be more on the way. Specifically, upon Iger’s return, Disney noted that they contemplated Iger would “initiate organizational and operating changes within the Company to address the Board’s goals.“ That includes changes within “within DMED (and including possibly [Disney’s] distribution approach and the businesses/distribution platforms selected for the initial distribution of content).”

We’ll continue to keep an eye out for updates on that.

Read the full message from Walden below:

Team,

I wanted to share some news. After more than 30 years of service across multiple brands, and in support of numerous grateful executives like myself, Charissa Gilmore will be leaving the company. We are so thankful to Charissa for her dedication, her many contributions, as well as her steady hand that helped navigate our teams over the years.

Effective immediately, Naomi Bulochnikov-Paul, who has worked closely with so many of you, will be expanding her purview in the newly created role of Executive Vice President, Publicity, and Head of Communications for Disney General Entertainment. In this position, Naomi will oversee all external and internal communications for DGE and serve as its main spokesperson. She will also continue to lead publicity for ABC Entertainment, ABC News, Freeform and Onyx Collective. She will be joining my leadership team and reporting to Shannon Ryan for publicity and Kristina Schake for communications.

Naomi is a respected communications leader and sharp strategist who has built strong relationships with press, talent and executives. She has an incredible track record and her commitment to excellence will serve us well during this exciting and pivotal moment in our Company, and in the years ahead.

In light of this news, Candice Ashton, currently SVP, Publicity, Events and Talent Relations for Hulu Originals, will now assume oversight of the Disney Television Studios publicity team. Candice has established herself as a thought leader at Hulu Originals, where she has overseen publicity campaigns for some of our most successful shows and helped position Hulu as a top streaming platform. Her expertise and creativity are valued by her team and will be a perfect fit for Disney Television Studios.

Please join me in wishing Charissa the very best as she embarks on her next chapter and in congratulating Naomi and Candice.

Warmest regards,

Dana

And stay tuned for the latest updates.