#debra oconnell

Disney Branded Television Rebrands Itself As "Disney Kids & Family"

A new era has begun, Disney Branded Television is rebranding itself as Disney Kids & Family.

The name change follows a review by Debra OConnell who added oversight of the Ayo Davis-led division as part of her elevation to Chairman of Disney Entertainment Television in March. The unit handles Disney Television Animation, The Muppets Studio, It's A Laugh Productions, Disney Channel Original Movies and Disney Original Documentary produces shows, films and specials for Disney Channel, Disney Jr. and Disney+.

The “Branded Television” part of the previous name by the Chapek years replaced Disney Channels Worldwide which created some confusion with audiences and family members. The unit is behind a number of series and TV movies based on Disney IP and originals. (Sofia The First, Camp Rock, Phineas And Ferb, Kiff, Big City Greens, Descendants, ZOMBIES, Chibiverse).

DEADLINE revealed the age-wise portfolio for the newly renamed "Disney Kids & Family" division.

-Disney Jr. - serves preschoolers from zero to five years old

-Disney Channel - serves kids ages 6-teen through animated and live-action fare

-Disney+ - family co-viewing shows

“Our new name better reflects the creativity, ambition and storytelling we’re known for, while bringing greater clarity to who we are and what we create,” OConnell and Davis wrote in their joint letter.

“While our name is changing, our commitment to great storytelling and to all of you our creatives at all our units remains exactly the same.” - Ayo Davis (Disney Kids & Family CEO, Disney Television Animation VP of Development & Current)

On the awards side, "Disney Kids & Family" has been a main driver behind Disney earning more Children’s and Family Emmy nomination than any other company. (Beating Cartoon Network & Nickelodeon as the no #1 destination of kids and family entertaiment.) The Disney Kids & Family rebrand comes ahead of the unit unveiling their next family and preschool projects at the Annecy Film Festival.

Dana Walden Promotes Debra OConnell As President Of Newly Created Unit "Disney Entertainment Television". Craig Erwich Will Move To 20th Television And 20th Television Animation Units, No Longer Overseeing Disney Branded Television Unit.

Dana Walden, incoming President and Chief Creative Officer of The Walt Disney Company as of Wednesday, has revealed the new leadership structure of Disney Entertainment with the creation of Disney Entertaiment Television with Debra OConnell appointed as the new CEO of the unit.

The new unit will oversee television projects with the company's television studios. In her new role, OConnell is adding the television brands, including ABC Entertainment, Disney Branded Television, Hulu Originals, National Geographic Content and creative for 20th Television, Disney Television Animation and 20th Television Animation, to her current portfolio of ABC News and the ABC Owned Television Stations.

Debra OConnell, who was just promoted as Disney Entertainment Television, has unveiled her direct reports: Craig Erwich, Ayo Davis, & Courteney Monroe

Ayo Davis (Disney Branded Television CEO, Disney Television Animation VP of Development & Current) and her team—Meredith Roberts (Disney Television Animation CEO & SVP of Animation at Disney Branded Television) Zack Ollin (Disney Television Animation VP of Development & Current), Leight Slaughter (The Muppets Studio VP), and Orion Ross (Disney EMEA Animation VP)—will now directly report to Debra OConnell with current and future animated and puppetry projects across Disney Branded Television for Disney Channel and Disney+.

Fromer Disney Branded Television co-executive Craig Erwich will no longer be part of the Ayo Davis unit and will be moved to oversee adult-driven series across 20th Television and 20th Television Animation for traditional networks and Hulu. Erwich will report to Marci Proietto (20th Television Animation CEO) in upcoming and current adult animated series at the studio.