By Lindsey Bahr, AP Film Writer
Walt Disney Co. veteran Alan Bergman has been named chairman of Disney Studios, the company said Monday. Bergman will be succeeding Alan Horn, who will remain chief creative officer. Horn and Bergman have been operating as co-chairs since May 2019.
"The Walt Disney Studios' achievements under the leadership of Alan Horn and Alan Bergman have been nothing short of extraordinary," said Bob Chapek, Walt Disney Co. CEO, in a statement. "Having worked closely for years with Alan Bergman, an exceptional leader and proven executive, I couldn't be more pleased to name him as Chairman."
The position involves overseeing everything from creative and operations to production and marketing for all Disney Studios content from its myriad brands, including Disney Animation, Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm and 20th Century Studios. The heads of each studio, from Kevin Feige to Kathleen Kennedy, will report to Horn and Bergman.
"I believe deeply in our people, culture, and the work we do," Bergman said in a statement. He'll assume the position officially on Jan. 1.
Bergman has worked at Disney for 24 years and served as president of Walt Disney Studios from 2005 to 2019, helping to integrate Pixar, Lucasfilm, Marvel and Twenty-First Century Fox into the Disney stable of brands.
Both Horn and Bergman will report to Chapek, who took over from longtime CEO Bob Iger in February.
Horn, who joined Disney as Chairman in 2012, said in a statement that, "The time feels right to shift my focus solely to our enormous creative slate."
Disney earlier this month unveiled ambitious plans for its streaming service Disney +, including 10 "Star Wars" series spinoffs, 10 Marvel series and 15 live-action, Pixar and animated series.
The studio has been a market leader for the past few years and last year surpassed a record $11 billion in box office. But with the launch of Disney+ last year and the unforseen complications of the pandemic, much focus has been placed on streaming.
The Many Hires Jeremiah Wassom As Group Creative Director
Independent agency The Many has added Jeremiah Wassom as group creative director.
Wassom most recently worked a decade at Deutsch LA where, as SVP/creative director, he led the Taco Bell account and won new business for the agency. His agency past also includes AKQA and TBWAChiatDay. His creative work has touched the QSR, video games, automotive, fashion, and culture brand sectors. He also served eight years with the United States Marine Corps.
“Throughout his career, Jeremiah has helmed work that has not only made me personally jealous but has consistently pushed brands to show up in memorable and innovative ways,” said Josh Paialii, head of creative at The Many. “One look at his body of work and you will see his passion for storytelling and craft has raised the bar for entire categories, driving participation with many brands’ most loyal fans. Beyond being a world-class creative director and maker, Wassom is a proven team player and strategic thought leader. He’ll be a great addition to the leadership team at The Many working across all accounts. His role will be immediately felt as he guides and supports each of the creative leads in the department.”
A 20-year creative with agency, brand, and freelance experience, Wassom has forged a creative approach which focuses on crafting engaging connections rather than simply make ads. He sees the need for advertising to mean more, not simply do more.
The Many believes that true business growth is made possible by harnessing the power of participation and partners with brands to forge deeper connections with consumers, cultivate trust and loyalty, and maximize marketing spend and execution. The agency is built around a flexible model that offers a suite of capabilities, including... Read More