Disney has announced the appointment of Adam Smith as the new Chief Product & Technology Officer for Disney Entertainment and ESPN. The announcement was made by Disney Entertainment Co-Chairmen Alan Bergman and Dana Walden, alongside ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro.
Smith's role will involve leading a global Product and Technology team that spans across Disney's entertainment and sports media divisions. His responsibilities will include shaping and executing the technology strategy for the company's streaming platforms, digital consumer interfaces, advertising technologies, and emerging technology initiatives. He will oversee a diverse group of professionals, including engineers, product managers, designers, data scientists, and technical operations teams.
Smith will officially begin his role on September 3, 2024, and will report directly to Bergman, Walden, and Pitaro.
The appointment comes as Disney continues to focus on advancing its technological capabilities to support its media, streaming, and advertising businesses. In a joint statement, the three chairmen expressed their enthusiasm for Smith's arrival, citing his consumer-focused vision and his track record of leading global teams in developing scalable and innovative products.
Smith brings over 20 years of experience from Google and YouTube, where he most recently served as Vice President of Product Management, overseeing Music, Premium, Subscriptions, and Commerce. During his tenure at YouTube, he played a significant role in expanding the platform's Music and Premium services, driving the subscriber base to over 100 million. His career at Google also included leadership roles in Global Content and Product, as well as regional oversight for Asia-Pacific.
"Disney has built and nurtured an unparalleled portfolio of brands bringing joy and delight to fans of all ages, thanks to a culture of creativity that embraces innovation," said Smith. "I believe Disney is uniquely positioned to thrive in the next evolution of media and has made significant progress in a very short time while keeping storytelling front and center. I look forward to working closely with Alan, Dana and Jimmy and their top-notch teams and am excited to bring my expertise in utilizing technology to build compelling consumer experiences that will drive engagement and discovery among fans, families and friends."
Smith's extensive background includes experience with various key products at Google, such as Google Fiber, Google Books, and Google Scholar. He also has experience in the publishing industry, having worked at Random House/Bertelsmann before joining Google. Smith holds a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of California, Berkeley, and an MBA from Stanford University.
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