Last week, Disney decided to shake things up at the executive leading to the ousting of Peter Rice and the promotion of Dana Walden to the position of head of Disney’s entertainment and TV programming, including ABC News content.
Walden sent a note to Disney General Entertainment employees to officially start her tenure after Rice’s exit. In the memo, she discusses the success of DGE’s recent multiplatform efforts across the programming brands while also touching on her ambitions for her new role.
“I promise you that I will do everything I can to support you and make sure that DGE is the best place in the business to work,” Walden wrote, per TheWrap.
“A place that thrives on creativity and creative risk-taking; a place where people can bring their authentic, true selves to work every day; a place where inclusion is top priority and collaboration is celebrated; and a place where we will never stop working to be the very best home for talent.”
The entertainment industry was surprised by Disney CEO Bob Chapek’s conclusion to move on from Rice, who has worked closely with Walden for years. Furthermore, Walden was stunned by the news and hoped the best for her former colleague in the memo.
“I am very fortunate to have worked alongside Peter Rice for a long time,” Walden wrote. “We have been friends for almost three decades and he was my boss for eight years. He is a gifted executive, and I learned a lot from him. I know you all join me in wishing him the best in whatever he chooses to do next.”
Eduardo Razo is the Assistant Content Editor for BNM, which includes writing daily news stories on the news media industry. He can be found on Twitter @eddierazo_ or you can reach him by email at eddie1991razo@gmail.com.
