Disney Interactive reshuffles its exec pack

The Disney Interactive Media Group has undergone a restructure to better enable it to work on "global development of interactive media products and content with the ability to focus on local distribution and local content requirements."

That's according to a memo from DIMG boss Steve Wadsworth, leaked by paidContent, in which he outlines a number of exec staff changes and the focus within the group of two global lines of business - Disney Interactive Studios (DIS) and Disney Online (DOL).

Some of the key changes include the retirement of Mark Handler after 24 years of service within Walt Disney Co, while Graham Hopper will continue to run DIS on a global basis and Paul Yanover will run DOL.

Cindy Rose will run DIMG in the EMEA region, while Thierry Braille will be responsible for DIS in the territory.

Meanwhile, Club Penguin co-founder Lane Merrifield will lead all virtual worlds development and operations as part of DOL.

"I am pleased and excited to announce today the future structure of the Disney Interactive Media Group (DIMG)," Wadsworth wrote in the memo. "As you will see, we are organizing around the global development of interactive media products and content with the ability to focus on local distribution and local content requirements.

"In addition, we will be poised to take advantage of continued convergence between the game console platforms and the online/mobile platforms as technologies and consumer behaviour rapidly evolve.

"We are positioning ourselves to maximize the upcoming opportunities and putting the organization on the path to accelerate significant long term growth," he added.

Disney Interactive Studios oversees game development in five studios around the world, including Black Rock Studio in Brighton, UK.