Layoffs Hit Former Fox Networks Group’s Ad Sales Division

Disney completed its acquisition of Fox in March

21st Century Fox Sold To Disney For More Than $70 Billion
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A second round of layoffs has hit Disney-owned Fox divisions, this time affecting New York-based ad sales employees at the former Fox Networks Group.

The division was dissolved following Disney’s acquisition of 21st Century Fox’s film and TV assets, a large portion of which went over to Disney. The division also included the Fox broadcasting network, which stayed behind with Fox. The layoffs are a mix of VP and director level.

Major layoffs hit Fox in the ensuing days after Disney closed its $71.3 billion acquisition of 21st Century Fox’s film and TV assets.

Mark Kaner, president of 20th Century Fox Television Distribution, and Greg Meidel, president of Twentieth Television, were both among high-level executives to be laid off on the TV side.

Kaner had headed the division since 1994. Meidel had been head of Twentieth Television since 2009. He also oversaw MyNetworkTV, which stayed behind with Fox Corporation after the deal. During his tenure, Meidel helped land massive off-network syndication deals for “Modern Family” at USA Network and “The Simpsons” at FX.

The layoffs were particularly heavy on the film side. Fox head of distribution Chris Aronson and president of international distribution Andrew Cripps, were both let go. The marketing team at the studio was also gutted, with Pam Levine, Fox’s president of worldwide theatrical marketing part of the layoffs. Additionally, Disney also shut down the Fox 2000 label, run by Elizabeth Gabler.

Disney closed its acquisition of Fox in March.

Deadline first reported the news of the Fox Networks Group layoffs.

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