Disney Names Tony Chambers as New President for EMEA Theatrical Distribution -

Disney has reshuffled its leadership in EMEA, with Tony Chambers, the company’s veteran global theatrical distribution head, replacing Jan Koeppen, who is stepping down from the role.

Tony Chambers has been named President of The Walt Disney Company in the EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa) region, taking over from Jan Koeppen, who is stepping down after six years in the role. As part of Disney’s restructuring efforts in EMEA, key business lines, including direct-to-consumer, ad sales, platform distribution, networks, studio marketing, theatrical distribution, and sports, will now report directly to Disney’s global leaders, who will manage the profit and loss (P&L) for these functions in the region.

Chambers, a seasoned veteran with three decades of experience at Disney, will continue to represent the company in EMEA, overseeing strategic priorities and financial operations. He will also manage local initiatives across various business segments, excluding Disney Experiences, and provide leadership in operational areas such as HR, communications, and finance.

Reporting to Disney Entertainment co-chairs Alan Bergman and Dana Walden, as well as ESPN chair Jimmy Pitaro, Chambers previously served as the head of global theatrical distribution at Disney. In this role, he was responsible for managing the global distribution of films across Disney’s major studios, including Walt Disney Animation, Pixar, Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm, 20th Century Studios, and Searchlight Pictures.

Chambers’ appointment follows Jan Koeppen’s departure, who served as president of Disney EMEA since October 2019. During Koeppen’s tenure, he played a crucial role in the company’s $71 billion acquisition of Fox assets and the successful launch of Disney+ in the region.

In a joint statement, Bergman, Walden, and Pitaro expressed confidence in Chambers’ ability to lead Disney’s EMEA business, highlighting his collaborative leadership style and extensive industry experience. They also acknowledged Koeppen’s significant contributions to Disney, especially during a time of transformation and growth.

Chambers expressed his enthusiasm for leading the EMEA team, stating, “It’s a dynamic region that has gone through incredible, positive change over the past several years, and I’m very eager now to build on that momentum.”

Koeppen, in his farewell message, expressed gratitude for his time at Disney, reflecting on the profound transformations and growth in the region, particularly the establishment of Disney+.

Chambers’ appointment is seen as a pivotal moment in Disney’s strategic reorganization as the company seeks to further accelerate its growth in the EMEA region and globally.

Tony Chambers, who has been with Disney for over 30 years, takes on the new role of President of The Walt Disney Company, EMEA, at a time of strategic transformation within the company. Chambers is tasked with overseeing Disney’s operations in one of the company’s most important regions, as Disney continues to restructure its entertainment businesses across EMEA. As part of the reorganization, key business segments will now directly report to global leaders, a move that is designed to streamline operations and ensure the company’s future success in the region.

Chambers’ new role will involve providing leadership for Disney’s regional teams and local initiatives across multiple sectors, including ad sales, direct-to-consumer services, platform distribution, networks, studio marketing, and sports. However, Disney Experiences will not be under Chambers’ purview, as that will remain separate. Chambers will also be responsible for coordinating regional activities such as HR, finance, and communications, all while maintaining oversight of Disney’s strategic priorities in EMEA.

Before his promotion, Chambers served as Disney’s head of global theatrical distribution, where he was responsible for the worldwide release of films across Disney’s brands, including Pixar, Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm, 20th Century Studios, and Searchlight Pictures. His leadership in this area helped Disney maintain a prominent position in the global film industry, ensuring the success of some of the studio’s most popular and profitable films.

His appointment marks the conclusion of Jan Koeppen’s six-year tenure as EMEA president. Under Koeppen’s leadership, Disney made significant strides, including the successful launch of Disney+ and navigating the acquisition of Fox assets. Koeppen also worked tirelessly to expand Disney’s footprint in the EMEA region, making it a key market for Disney’s global business. Koeppen expressed pride in the accomplishments made during his time at Disney, particularly in helping establish Disney+ as a leading streaming service in the region.

In their statement, Bergman, Walden, and Pitaro highlighted Chambers’ extensive experience, noting that his collaborative leadership style and in-depth knowledge of the EMEA market make him an ideal fit to lead the region. They expressed confidence that under his leadership, Disney will continue to grow and strengthen its position in the EMEA market.

Chambers, for his part, is excited about the opportunity to lead the EMEA team. He expressed his commitment to driving forward the momentum of Disney’s success in the region, continuing to push boundaries and pursue new growth opportunities.

As Disney prepares for this leadership transition, the company is poised to continue building on its past successes in EMEA, with Chambers at the helm. His deep knowledge of the company, combined with his experience in managing Disney’s global distribution, will be crucial as Disney navigates the evolving entertainment landscape in the region.