Disney has found their replacement for Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Communications Officer Zenia Mucha, who will be stepping away at the end of the year.
UPDATE (December 7th, 2021):
- The Walt Disney Company has officially announced that Geoff Morrell will fill the newly created position of Chief Corporate Affairs Officer.
- In this role, Morrell will oversee Corporate Communications, Global Public Policy, Government Relations, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) teams.
- Morrell will start on January 24th, 2022 and will report directly to Disney CEO Bob Chapek.
What They’re Saying:
- Bob Chapek, Disney CEO: “In this unique time of industry disruption and social change, it is more important than ever that our consumers, communities, employees, and shareholders understand who we are and what we stand for. At the same time, the spheres of communications, corporate governance, social responsibility, government relations and public policy are increasingly interconnected and require a focused, coordinated approach. Geoff is a seasoned, insightful and accomplished public affairs officer, and I am delighted to appoint him to this new role, where he will build on Disney’s already strong reputation.”
- Geoff Morrell, Incoming Chief Corporate Affairs Officer: “This is a homecoming of sorts. After four years in government and 10 years with bp, I am thrilled to be coming back to the company where I began my career. I started off as a journalist, but return to take on an exciting new role. I look forward to helping Bob Chapek and his talented team engage with our stakeholders around the world. Given the tremendous change underway in the industry and Bob’s ambitious plans for Disney, it is imperative that we proactively share the story of Disney’s evolution. Few companies are as beloved as Disney, and I am committed to doing everything I can to make sure it remains that way.”
Previously (December 6th, 2021)
- Variety reports that The Walt Disney Company has named Geoff Morrell as Mucha’s replacement.
- Morrell is currently serving as the executive vice president of communications and advocacy at BP.
- In addition to Mucha’s duties, Morrell will also handle government relations for The Walt Disney Company, a job that was previously handled by Disney’s chief counsel’s office. However, current chief counsel and senior executive vice president, Alan Braverman, will also be stepping away at the start of the new year.
- In his time with BP, Morrell is credited with helping to rebuild the company’s reputation following the Deepwater Horizon accident.
- Prior to that, Morrell worked for four years at the Pentagon as the chief spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Defense under the administrations of George W. Bush and Barack Obama.
- He has also previously worked as a journalist with ABC News, covering the White House.
- Mucha and Braverman both announced their imminent departures from The Walt Disney Company back in July.
- Mucha has spent 20 years with the company and led the communications and positioning strategy for all of Disney’s strategic business initiatives including the acquisitions of Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm and 21st Century Fox.
- She originally joined the Company in 2001, as senior vice president, Communications, for the ABC Broadcast Group and the ABC Television Network.