Rich Ross named new chairman of The Walt Disney Studios

DisneyDaniel · 10-05-2009, 04:39 PM

Today, Disney announced that Rich Ross, current Disney Channel president, has been named the new chairman of The Walt Disney Studios. Ross replaces Dick Cook, who abruptly resigned last month.

Here is the official press release:

October 05, 2009

RICH ROSS NAMED CHAIRMAN OF THE WALT DISNEY STUDIOS

BURBANK, Calif., October 5, 2009 -- Rich Ross, President of Disney Channels Worldwide, has been named Chairman of The Walt Disney Studios, it was announced today by Disney President and CEO Robert A. Iger.

Ross will oversee worldwide production, distribution and marketing for the company's range of live-action and feature animated film labels, including Walt Disney, Touchstone, Miramax and Disney/Pixar. In his new role, which he assumes immediately, he will also head Disney's theatrical and music groups.

In his thirteen years at Disney, Ross has consistently created hit original programming, effectively expanded a worldwide creative and distribution organization, skillfully built the Disney brand with global franchises that work across borders and technology platforms and put in place a strong management team.

"Rich has an outstanding record of creating high-quality family entertainment that delights audiences around the world," said Iger. "With his success in building the Disney brand across many of our businesses, his astute marketing sensibility, his proven ability in working effectively with talent and his skill at navigating complex global markets, I'm confident he's the perfect leader for our studio group."

"I am very excited to play a key role in continuing the storytelling legacy of The Walt Disney Studios. There has never been a better time to entertain our global audiences with high- quality and compelling content and introduce new characters that will become family favorites. I look forward to working with Bob, the team at the studios and all of our Disney family towards that goal," said Ross.

Under Ross's leadership, the performance of Disney Channels Worldwide has been consistently strong in both creative and competitive terms, in the U.S. and globally. The group now includes a total of 94 channels and channel feeds available in 163 countries in 32 languages and features such brands as the flagship Disney Channel, the boy-focused Disney XD and Playhouse Disney for younger kids.

Ross has also overseen the growth of Radio Disney and of the group's multiplatform offerings, which includes subscription video-on-demand and content-rich broadband websites DisneyXD.com and DisneyChannel.com, the number one kid's entertainment website among Kids 6-14.

In the U.S., Disney Channel has been the #1 TV network among Kids 6-11 and Tweens 9-14 for the last seven and nine years respectively, buoyed by such breakout series as Lizzie McGuire, That's So Raven, The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, Hannah Montana, Wizards of Waverly Place and Sonny With A Chance. Stars of Disney Channel programs, including Raven-Symone, Selena Gomez, Jonas Brothers, Demi Lovato and Miley Cyrus, have become household names.

Disney Channel's record with original movies is equally impressive. With recent blockbusters like High School Musical 2, Wizards of Waverly Place The Movie and Camp Rock, Disney Channel can claim cable's top two movies of all time and three of the top five.

Disney Channel programming has also helped build other Disney businesses, including the quadruple-Platinum-selling Hannah Montana soundtrack and the number one US album in 2006, High School Musical soundtrack. Books, stage shows, feature films, video games and merchandise featuring original Disney Channel characters have become a critical part of The Walt Disney Company's success in recent years.

Ross joined Disney in 1996 as Disney Channel's Senior Vice President, Programming and Production and was promoted to positions of increasing responsibility before being named Disney Channel president in April 2004. Prior to his tenure at Disney, he was a member of the executive team that launched FX Networks. Ross also held several senior positions at Nickelodeon from 1986 to 1993 where he oversaw talent booking, casting and program development and was involved in the launch of the channel's first successful syndicated show and its first international network.

Ross is a member of the Board of Directors for Hollywood Radio Television Society and Cable in the Classroom – an organization that represents the cable telecommunication industry's commitment to education. A native of New York and a 1983 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations and English, Ross received his J.D. degree from New York's Fordham University in 1986.

Tref · 10-05-2009, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DisneyDaniel

... Lizzie McGuire, That's So Raven, The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, Hannah Montana, Wizards of Waverly Place and Sonny With A Chance. Stars of Disney Channel programs, including Raven-Symone, Selena Gomez, Jonas Brothers, Demi Lovato and Miley Cyrus, have become household names.

That is quite the legacy of crap.

Gemini Cricket · 10-05-2009, 05:24 PM

Profitable crap...

DisneyDaniel · 10-05-2009, 05:35 PM

You wanna bet he is going to turn more tween Disney Channel shows into movie franchises ... now that he is head of the Studios?

Alex · 10-05-2009, 06:49 PM

I imagine Dreamworks will mostly have free reign on its stuff. Miramax will mostly have free reign on its stuff. Pixar will have free reign on its stuff and its locked in for several years anyway, Feature Animation is locked in for quite a while. DisneyNature is set for a few years. The new package deal with Del Toro is going to be his to run unless he bombs the first couple.

Really, the only part of the Walt Disney Pictures line-up is the pure family play stuff and that ain't too much of a stretch for him. Several movies a year in the pipeline were already coming out of Disney Channel. In fact, given how few movies Disney's been doing the last couple years it'll be amazing if he has room to greenlight anything.

Strangler Lewis · 10-05-2009, 09:16 PM

Pedant alert:

free rein

Carry on.

Alex · 10-05-2009, 10:13 PM

Yes, I am the king of stupid homophobes.

(Though Google Books informs me that Christopher Marlowe used "free reign" 500 years ago so I will consider claiming snobbish literary allusion.)

DisneyDaniel · 10-10-2009, 11:31 AM

Los Angeles Times article:
"Disney's Rich Ross: Hollywood's First Openly Gay Studio Chairman"
LINK

SzczerbiakManiac · 10-13-2009, 01:08 PM

Is George Kalogridis also gay? Quoting from Al Lutz's column today

Quote:

George will be moving back to OC from his digs with the killer view of the Eiffel Tower that he shared with his partner [my emphasis]

Is George a Friend of Dorothy? Flying the Rainbow Flag? Playing for the Other Team? That Way?

Not that it in any way affects his ability to manage!

10-05-2009, 04:39 PM	#1
DisneyDaniel California Adventurer Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: SoCal Posts: 537	Rich Ross named new chairman of The Walt Disney Studios Today, Disney announced that Rich Ross, current Disney Channel president, has been named the new chairman of The Walt Disney Studios. Ross replaces Dick Cook, who abruptly resigned last month. Here is the official press release: October 05, 2009 RICH ROSS NAMED CHAIRMAN OF THE WALT DISNEY STUDIOS BURBANK, Calif., October 5, 2009 -- Rich Ross, President of Disney Channels Worldwide, has been named Chairman of The Walt Disney Studios, it was announced today by Disney President and CEO Robert A. Iger. Ross will oversee worldwide production, distribution and marketing for the company's range of live-action and feature animated film labels, including Walt Disney, Touchstone, Miramax and Disney/Pixar. In his new role, which he assumes immediately, he will also head Disney's theatrical and music groups. In his thirteen years at Disney, Ross has consistently created hit original programming, effectively expanded a worldwide creative and distribution organization, skillfully built the Disney brand with global franchises that work across borders and technology platforms and put in place a strong management team. "Rich has an outstanding record of creating high-quality family entertainment that delights audiences around the world," said Iger. "With his success in building the Disney brand across many of our businesses, his astute marketing sensibility, his proven ability in working effectively with talent and his skill at navigating complex global markets, I'm confident he's the perfect leader for our studio group." "I am very excited to play a key role in continuing the storytelling legacy of The Walt Disney Studios. There has never been a better time to entertain our global audiences with high- quality and compelling content and introduce new characters that will become family favorites. I look forward to working with Bob, the team at the studios and all of our Disney family towards that goal," said Ross. Under Ross's leadership, the performance of Disney Channels Worldwide has been consistently strong in both creative and competitive terms, in the U.S. and globally. The group now includes a total of 94 channels and channel feeds available in 163 countries in 32 languages and features such brands as the flagship Disney Channel, the boy-focused Disney XD and Playhouse Disney for younger kids. Ross has also overseen the growth of Radio Disney and of the group's multiplatform offerings, which includes subscription video-on-demand and content-rich broadband websites DisneyXD.com and DisneyChannel.com, the number one kid's entertainment website among Kids 6-14. In the U.S., Disney Channel has been the #1 TV network among Kids 6-11 and Tweens 9-14 for the last seven and nine years respectively, buoyed by such breakout series as Lizzie McGuire, That's So Raven, The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, Hannah Montana, Wizards of Waverly Place and Sonny With A Chance. Stars of Disney Channel programs, including Raven-Symone, Selena Gomez, Jonas Brothers, Demi Lovato and Miley Cyrus, have become household names. Disney Channel's record with original movies is equally impressive. With recent blockbusters like High School Musical 2, Wizards of Waverly Place The Movie and Camp Rock, Disney Channel can claim cable's top two movies of all time and three of the top five. Disney Channel programming has also helped build other Disney businesses, including the quadruple-Platinum-selling Hannah Montana soundtrack and the number one US album in 2006, High School Musical soundtrack. Books, stage shows, feature films, video games and merchandise featuring original Disney Channel characters have become a critical part of The Walt Disney Company's success in recent years. Ross joined Disney in 1996 as Disney Channel's Senior Vice President, Programming and Production and was promoted to positions of increasing responsibility before being named Disney Channel president in April 2004. Prior to his tenure at Disney, he was a member of the executive team that launched FX Networks. Ross also held several senior positions at Nickelodeon from 1986 to 1993 where he oversaw talent booking, casting and program development and was involved in the launch of the channel's first successful syndicated show and its first international network. Ross is a member of the Board of Directors for Hollywood Radio Television Society and Cable in the Classroom – an organization that represents the cable telecommunication industry's commitment to education. A native of New York and a 1983 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations and English, Ross received his J.D. degree from New York's Fordham University in 1986. __________________ Yes, I do LOVE Disney California Adventure. Disneyland is not so bad either ;-)
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10-05-2009, 05:24 PM	#3
Gemini Cricket ... Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 13,244	Profitable crap...
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10-05-2009, 05:35 PM	#4
DisneyDaniel California Adventurer Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: SoCal Posts: 537	You wanna bet he is going to turn more tween Disney Channel shows into movie franchises ... now that he is head of the Studios? __________________ Yes, I do LOVE Disney California Adventure. Disneyland is not so bad either ;-)
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10-05-2009, 06:49 PM	#5
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	I imagine Dreamworks will mostly have free reign on its stuff. Miramax will mostly have free reign on its stuff. Pixar will have free reign on its stuff and its locked in for several years anyway, Feature Animation is locked in for quite a while. DisneyNature is set for a few years. The new package deal with Del Toro is going to be his to run unless he bombs the first couple. Really, the only part of the Walt Disney Pictures line-up is the pure family play stuff and that ain't too much of a stretch for him. Several movies a year in the pipeline were already coming out of Disney Channel. In fact, given how few movies Disney's been doing the last couple years it'll be amazing if he has room to greenlight anything.
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10-05-2009, 09:16 PM	#6
Strangler Lewis Doing The Job Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: In a state Posts: 3,956	Pedant alert: free rein Carry on. __________________ Live now-pay later. Diner's Club!
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10-05-2009, 10:13 PM	#7
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	Yes, I am the king of stupid homophobes. (Though Google Books informs me that Christopher Marlowe used "free reign" 500 years ago so I will consider claiming snobbish literary allusion.) Last edited by Alex : 10-05-2009 at 10:19 PM.
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10-10-2009, 11:31 AM	#8
DisneyDaniel California Adventurer Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: SoCal Posts: 537	Los Angeles Times article: "Disney's Rich Ross: Hollywood's First Openly Gay Studio Chairman" LINK __________________ Yes, I do LOVE Disney California Adventure. Disneyland is not so bad either ;-)
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