Ayo Davis Named President of Disney Branded Entertainment

Following the announcement of Gary Marsh leaving, The Walt Disney Company has announced that Ayo Davis will be taking over as president of Disney Branded Entertainment.

(Disney)

What’s Happening:

Deadline has reported that Ayo Davis will be taking over for Gary Marsh as the president of Disney Branded Entertainment.
Davis was most recently executive vice president of creative development and strategy for Disney Branded Entertainment prior to the promotion.
Marsh will work with Davis during the transition, as she’ll begin to oversee development and production for Disney’s linear networks and Disney+.
When Gary Marsh leaves at the end of the year, his new production company will develop content for Disney+, Hulu, Disney Channel, Disney Junior, ABC, National Geographic, Freeform and FX.

About Ayo Davis:

An ABC veteran, Davis most recently held the position of Executive Vice President, Creative Development and Strategy, Disney Branded Entertainment.
She was integral to many acclaimed series, including:
- The Good Doctor
- American Crime
- How to Get Away with Murder
- Black-ish
She championed the careers of notable actors such as:
- Viola Davis (How to Get Away with Murder)
- Eva Longoria (Desperate Housewives)
- Jesse Williams (Grey’s Anatomy)
- Gina Rodriguez
Among her other contributions is the launch of ABC Discovers, a host of casting initiatives that aim to discover, nurture and create powerful opportunities for up-and-coming talent from around the world.
Alumni of the program include Lupita Nyong’o, Gina Rodriguez and Pedro Pascal.
Davis is a member of the board of trustees of Dillard University and on the T. Howard Foundation’s board of directors for which she was also a 2020 award honoree.
She was on the 2017 host committee board of Girls Inc. and was a 2016 honoree, as well as a member of Jack and Jill of America Inc., and a supporter of the nonprofit Links Incorporated, an organization that provides community service and mentors youth.
She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications from Dillard University.