Disney promotes UK head to international role

Disney Channel UK managing director Rob Gilby has been promoted to head the broadcaster’s operations across Asia-Pacific. Gilby takes the new role of senior vice president and managing director for the region for Disney-ABC International Television as part of a restructure.

Gilby will be responsible for growing the distribution and revenue of all television and film content developed by The Walt Disney Company (TWDC) through The Walt Disney Studios, ABC Television Network, ABC Studios, Disney Channel and Disney-ABC CAble Networks. Gilby’s territory includes Australia, New Zealand, China, India and Korea.

He will focus on existing and emerging platforms and technologies including terrestrial and digital TV, pay TV, video on demand (VOD), broadband and mobile.

Gilby will work with the regional teams, country managers and business development teams across the Disney-owned divisions. He is expected to report into Ben Pyne, president of global distributions for Disney-ABC Worldwide Television and Disney Media Networks.

He joined Disney as managing director for Disney Channel UK, Scandinavia and emerging markets in January 2006. He has responsibility for channel brands including Disney Channel, Playhouse Disney, Toon Disney and Disney Cinemagic. A replacement for him has yet to be appointed.

Previously, Gilby has worked at Turner Entertainment, holding both strategy and marketing roles at the broadcaster. He also worked for PriceWaterhouseCoopers’ entertainment and media group in London, Hong Kong and Tokyo.

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