Nellie Andreeva

EXCLUSIVE: Carolina Lightcap has stepped down as president of Disney Channels Worldwide after two years on the job. The channels’ president, Entertainment and Chief Creative Officer Gary Marsh will add her responsibilities to his current ones. His new title will be president and Chief Creative Officer, Disney Channels Worldwide. In his new expanded role, Marsh will have full creative oversight and leadership responsibility for Disney’s global kids TV business comprised of more than 100 entertainment channels and feeds that are available in 169 countries and 35 languages. “We’re sorry that Carolina has decided to leave us and appreciate her many valuable contributions over the years,” said Anne Sweeney, co-chair, Disney Media Networks & President, Disney/ABC Television Group. “Gary Marsh has been the driving creative force behind Disney Channels’ remarkable growth for the past 15 plus years, responsible for some of the most iconic and successful franchises in our history including Hannah Montana, Wizards of Waverly Place, High School Musical, Phineas and Ferb, That’s So Raven, Shake It Up and many others. He not only understands the zeitgeist of kids’ culture, he helped create it.  Our business couldn’t be in better hands.”

Marsh, who had been Disney Channel’s programming chief under Rich Ross, was tipped as his successor when Ross moved to the movie studio in 2009. Latin America Disney executive Lightcap got the top job instead, while Marsh was given expanded responsibilities. “The strength of Disney Channels Worldwide — and its heart — has always been the dynamic and dedicated people who make the magic and put it into the homes and hands of kids and families around the world,” Marsh said. “I’m excited by this expanded opportunity to lead this team in creating and delivering content, globally, which entertains, uplifts and inspires.”

Said Lightcap, “I’m extremely proud of the accomplishments over the past 11 years at both Disney Latin America and Disney Channels Worldwide. Building Disney Channel into No. 1 in Latin America, not just with kids, but also in households, is a career highlight. And, in the U.S., with Disney Channel, Disney XD and Disney Junior all enjoying some of their best ratings ever, I feel the timing is perfect to move on to my next challenge.” Lightcap recently led the launch of new global brand Disney Junior, a daily programming block on Disney Channel which in 2012 will be joined by a 24-hour channel in the U.S. Lightcap joined The Walt Disney Co. in 2000 and prior to her current role served in the dual roles of SVP Programming and Creative Affairs, Disney Channels Latin America/Disney Media Networks, and Chief Marketing Officer, The Walt Disney Co. Latin America.

 

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