HONG KONG — In a series of moves that put greater management weight in Asia, Disney has promoted Paul Candland to the newly created position of president, The Walt Disney Company, Asia, with oversight of Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia, and Greater China.
Candland, a 16-year Disney veteran and president of Walt Disney Japan, will report directly to Andy Bird, chairman Walt Disney International. Rob Gilby, managing director, TWDC South East Asia, will report to Candland.
Stanley Cheung, managing director of TWDC Greater China, has been promoted to chairman of TWDC Greater China, reporting to Mr. Bird.
Senior vice president Luke Kang will assume Cheung’s former role as managing director of TWDC Greater China. Kang will report to both Cheung and Candland and will have direct oversight of Disney’s businesses in Greater China, excluding Shanghai Disney Resort and Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, which report to Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Tom Staggs.
“Asia is a region of incredible growth and great promise for Disney, and these management changes are designed to ensure we maximize our opportunities there today and in the future,” said Robert Iger, chairman and chief executive of The Walt Disney Company, in a statement. “This new structure will bring greater focus and the ability to share best practices across businesses and countries as we grow strategically in Asian markets.”
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“It is my belief that Greater China will become our biggest international market in the coming years. Today, China is one of our biggest markets for the Studio, and we have a well-established Disney Consumer Products and TV distribution business. The rapid emergence of mobile and digital platforms provides even more opportunities for us, and construction is underway for the largest Disney Store in the world and, of course, Shanghai Disney Resort,” said Bird.
