DISNEY - DISNEY CHANNEL CHIEF TO HEAD STUDIO

DISNEY CHANNEL CHIEF TO HEAD STUDIO

Hoping to get Disney's live-action film production back on track, Disney chief Robert Iger has turned to Rich Ross, a man with a formidable track record running Disney Channels Worldwide. Over the past year, Disney's live-action movie slate experienced one of its least successful years ever, even as Disney Channel's programs have been drawing enormous -- and in some cases, record breaking -- audiences. In an interview with today's (Tuesday) Daily Variety , Iger remarked that Ross had "created huge value for the company" and had turned Disney Channel "into a real creative engine.... The leader of the studio needs very much to be able to do that." Ross succeeds Dick Cook, who abruptly left the company -- some say he was forced out -- last month. In reporting on Ross's appointment, the New York Times observed that the move "underscores the increasing importance of Disney Channel properties to the company's portfolio of businesses, from video game publishing to theme parks." Disney did not indicate who will replace Ross as head of Disney Channels Worldwide. Several analysts predicted that the post would naturally go to Gary March, president of entertainment for Disney Channel. However, the Los Angeles Times observed today (Tuesday) "It remains to be seen if Marsh is interested in giving up his passion for programming to assume all the other, less fun parts that go with the top job, including the politics and number-crunching."

06/10/2009