Disney Names Digital Co-Presidents: John Pleasants, Jimmy Pitaro

Pitaro joins Disney after leaving as VP of media for Yahoo!; Pleasants moves up from Playdom unit

Disney has named John Pleasants and Jimmy Pitaro as co-presidents of its interactive media group, overseeing online, social media, mobile and other digital properties, the company announced Sunday.

The duo takes over for Steve Wadsworth, who resigned last month after heading Disney's interactive division for the last 11 years.

Pitaro comes over from Yahoo!, where he was vice president of digital media before leaving last month as part of an executive exodus at the portal. Pleasants moves up from Playdom, the social gaming platform that Disney recently acquired.

The appointments were announced Sunday by Disney President and CEO Bob Iger.“Both have outstanding track records in anticipating trends and delivering to consumers creative, innovative and successful experiences and products,” Iger said in a statement. “As co-presidents, I’m confident they will make Disney’s digital content and businesses even more robust and successful.”

Pleasants will be based in the Bay Area, where he will lead Disney’s multi-faceted digital games businesses, including online, console, social and mobile. He will also continue to run Playdom. Pitaro will oversee Disney Online, home of Disney branded web and social media sites.  

While with Yahoo!, Pitaro oversaw the expansion of the portal's original video, branded entertainment and editorial content, and led the successful expansion of Yahoo! Sports prior to being named to lead all of Yahoo!’s media properties, including its news, finance, entertainment and lifestyle sites.

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