Uday Shankar is coming over from Fox to lead Disney’s India and Asia Pacific regions as part of a Mouse House international reorg in anticipation of its 21st Century Fox acquisition closing.
Additionally, Rebecca Campbell will keep her post atop the EMEA region and add Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) to her oversight. Diego Lerner will continue to run the company’s Latin America markets. Both have president-level titles in their respective territories.
As part of the overseas shakeup, Shankar will become chairman of Star and Disney India, and president of The Walt Disney Company Asia Pacific. Additionally, Janice Marinelli will serve as Disney’s president, global content sales and distribution.
“The planned restructuring of our business units outside of the U.S. will result in a stronger, more agile organization, one that is better able to pivot and capitalize on the many opportunities present in today’s fast-changing and increasingly complex global marketplace,” said Kevin Mayer, chairman of The Walt Disney Company’s direct-to-consumer & international segment. “Once the acquisition is complete, all three regions will be led by exceptional, highly experienced executives who will combine the ‘best of the best’ talent from both organizations. This new structure and the outstanding leadership team we’ve put in place are clear demonstrations of our strong commitment to integrating operations and thoughtfully executing our strategic priorities around the globe.”
Shankar, Campbell, Lerner and Marinelli will all report to Mayer once the Fox acquisition is complete.
As will:
Rita Ferro, president, Disney advertising sales
Aaron LaBerge, chief technology officer
Michael Paull, president, Disney streaming services
Jan Koeppen, currently president of Fox Networks Group Europe and Africa, who will serve as president, television and direct to consumer, The Walt Disney Company EMEA
Marina Jigalova-Ozkan, who will continue in her current role as DTCI’s managing director, Russia and CIS for The Walt Disney Company CIS LLC
And to Lerner:
Carlos Martinez, president, Fox Networks Group, Latin America, who will serve as executive vice president and general manager, media networks, North and Brazil, The Walt Disney Company Latin America
To Shankar:
Luke Kang, executive vice president and managing director, Greater China, Japan and Korea
Kylie Watson-Wheeler, managing director, Australia and New Zealand
Chafic Najia, senior vice president and managing director, Middle East
Jim Lygopoulos, senior vice president, human resources
Justin Warbrooke, chief financial officer
Mickey Mouse Club: 10 Mouseketeers Who Made It Big, From Ryan Gosling to Britney Spears (Photos)
"The Mickey Mouse Club" first premiered in October 1955 under the leadership of the one and only Walt Disney. The long-lasting variety show served as incubator for more than a few major future stars throughout its run, and during its second iteration in the 1990s, Justin Timberlake, Ryan Gosling, Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera all shared airtime as Mousketeers. Here's a look back at the biggest stars who made appearances on the show.
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Annette Funicello
Funicello joined the Mousketeers in 1955 at the age of 12 after being personally discovered at a ballet performance by none other than Walt Disney. She quickly became one of the show's most popular performers, receiving 6,000 fan letters a week, along with wristwatches and a few engagement rings. Funicello went on to star in several Disney-produced serials and movies, including “The Shaggy Dog” and “Babes in Toyland,” and then switched gears to costar in a number of popular “Beach Party” movies alongside Frankie Avalon. With minor exceptions, including commercials for Skippy Peanut Butter, Funicello largely retired from acting when she married at 22. She was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1993 and died from complications of the disease in 2013.
Buena Vista Film Distribution Company, Inc.
Don Grady
Grady got his start as a Mouseketeer and later scored a starring role on “My Three Sons” from 1960-1971, playing Robbie for more than 300 episodes. He also appeared in “Mr. Novak” and “The Rifleman."
CBS
Johnny Crawford
One of the original 24 Mousketeers, Crawford was released from his contract after the first season and went on to star in "The Rifleman" alongside fellow MMC alum John Grady, for which he received an Emmy nomination at the age of 13. Crawford also had a successful recording career with several Billboard Top 40 hits like "Cindy's Birthday" and "Rumors." He died in 2021 at age 75.
Buena Vista Film Distribution Company, Inc.
Lisa Whelchel
After being recruited by Texas talent agents at age 12, Whelchel moved to California and appeared in the second iteration of “The Mickey Mouse Club” in 1976. She went on to spend nine years playing Blair Warner on “The Facts of Life." She was nominated for a Grammy for her contemporary Christian album “All Because of You.”
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Rhona Bennett
Bennett became a Mouseketeer for the show's revival in 1991 (titled "The All-New Mickey Mouse Show"). She went on to play a recurring role as Nicole on “The Jamie Foxx Show" and also joined R&B group En Vogue in 2005 before leaving the group and going solo in 2008.
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Keri Russell
Russell appeared on "The All Mickey Mouse Show" at age 15 and went on to become one of the biggest TV actresses of her generation. She headlined the WB drama "Felicity" and recently wrapped up her role as Russian spy Elizabeth Jennings on FX's popular Cold War drama "The Americans."
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Christina Aguilera
Aguilera starred on "The All Mickey Mouse Show" from 1993 until its cancellation in 1995. Aguilera rose to prominence through her pop music career in the ’90s. She steadily rose to prominence through her pop music in the 1990s and became one of the most successful artists in the world, selling over 50 million albums worldwide to date. Aguilera has won four Grammys and appeared as a coach on NBC’s “The Voice.”
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Ryan Gosling
Now one of Hollywood's favorite leading men, Gosling appeared on the third iteration of “TMMC” for two years after attending an audition for the show in Montreal. He became particularly close with castmate Justin Timberlake -- whose mother even became Gosling's legal guardian for six months when his own mother went back to Canada for work reasons. Gosling went on to star in “Are You Afraid of the Dark,” “Breaker High” and “Young Hercules.” As an adult, Gosling gained worldwide prominence through leading roles in indie and commercial hits such as “The Notebook,” “Blue Valentine,” “Crazy, Stupid, Love” and "La La Land."
Disney–ABC Domestic Television
Justin Timberlake
Pop icon Justin Timberlake appeared on the show in 1993 and 1994 at the age of 12. In the late 1990s, he shot to fame as a member of the best-selling boy band N'Sync and went on to have a wildly successful solo career that has earned him four multi-platinum selling albums and four Grammy awards to date. He has won two Emmys for his guest spots on “Saturday Night Live” and starred in films including “The Social Network,” “Friends With Benefits” and “Inside Llewyn Davis.”
Disney–ABC Domestic Television
JC Chasez
Luca met future bandmate Justin Timberlake during his stint on the show from 1991-96. He shot to stardom as a member of N'Sync in the late 1990s.
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Britney Spears
Spears appeared on the show from 1993 to 1996 and soon went on to become one of the best-selling artists of all time. She has enjoyed continued success despite her turbulent personal life, earning a Grammy and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, in addition to selling more than 100 million albums worldwide.
Disney–ABC Domestic Television
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Long-lasting Disney show served as early stomping grounds for more than a few future stars
"The Mickey Mouse Club" first premiered in October 1955 under the leadership of the one and only Walt Disney. The long-lasting variety show served as incubator for more than a few major future stars throughout its run, and during its second iteration in the 1990s, Justin Timberlake, Ryan Gosling, Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera all shared airtime as Mousketeers. Here's a look back at the biggest stars who made appearances on the show.
Getty Images
Buena Vista Film Distribution Company, Inc.
