The Disney-ABC Television Group has instituted a new communications structure by promoting two key execs Sue Binford, who will now oversee all corporate communications and Kevin Brockman, who will now oversee all entertainment communications.
As svp, corporate communications, Binford will oversee all corporate communications for The Disney-ABC Television Group, which includes the ABC Television Network and the entertainment cable television networks under the ABC Cable Networks Group banner, including Disney Channel (worldwide), ToonDisney, ABC Family and SOAPNet, as well as for Walt Disney Television Animation. In addition she will continue to oversee communications efforts for ABC News, ABC Sports, all ABC Corporate Initiatives, ABC's owned stations and the ABC Radio division.
As svp, entertainment communications, Brockman is charged with oversight off all entertainment communications for the Disney-ABC Television Group, which includes the ABC Television Network, as well as the company's entertainment cable television networks under the ABC Cable Networks Group banner, including Disney Channel (worldwide), ToonDisney, ABC Family and SOAPNet, as well as for Walt Disney Television Animation. In addition, he will continue to oversee communications efforts for ABC Kids, ABC Primetime, ABC Late-Night and Touchstone Television, as well as the network's Photography & New Media and Talent Relations departments.
"Given the recent restructuring of our television assets and the changing nature of our business, this new communications structure just made sense, commented Anne Sweeney, co-chairman, Media Networks, The Walt Disney Co. and president, Disney-ABC Television Group. It allows us to more effectively streamline information-sharing across these properties, which will only aide in our efforts to better serve both the media and the Disney-ABC Television Group. The communications teams serving all of our media properties are second to none, and Sue and Kevin assuming these strategic leadership positions will only help to further strengthen our efforts in an increasingly competitive marketplace."
"Sue Binford and Kevin Brockman exemplify the best of communications strategists, with each bringing unique talents to what are very complex and challenging businesses and issues, added Zenia Mucha, svp, communications, The Walt Disney Co. Over a period of time, I have seen how they have independently and collaboratively energized the communications efforts for the various business and programming segments they serve. I'm confident this will continue in their expanded roles, and that the new structure will provide for a more seamless flow of information to the business and consumer media with which we interact on a daily basis."
Binford and Brockman will both report to Sweeney and Mucha.
In regard to Binford's appointment, Sweeney said, "Sue's 25 years of experience in crafting both broadcast and cable communication strategies and her breadth of knowledge spanning all of our businesses make her uniquely qualified for this new opportunity. From being instrumental in the launch and growth of signature cable channels such as MTV, VH1, TNT and The Cartoon Network to overseeing PR efforts for a diverse stable of established media brands, including NBC, CNN and most currently ABC, Sue has continually proven to be one of the most forward-thinking, focused and adept executives in our industry. We're lucky to have her on our team."
Regarding Brockman's appointment, Sweeney added, "Kevin is, bar none, one of the most respected and effective entertainment communications executives working in our industry today. Over the past seven-and-a-half years with ABC, he's proven to be someone who can not only think strategically and communicate effectively, but can also simultaneously forge key relationships with talent and the media. These attributes will serve the Disney-ABC Television Group well as we move forward."
In June 2003, Binford joined ABC as svp, communications, for the ABC Television Network and the ABC Broadcast Group. During her tenure, she was responsible for the development, implementation and oversight of internal and external communications for the ABC Television Network and for the ABC Broadcast Group, which includes the company's owned television stations and its ABC Radio division. She also served as chief spokesperson for those units, in addition to supervising areas and programs, including public service campaigns, audience information and internal publications.
Prior to this, she was evp of public relations for the CNN News Group's portfolio of networks and businesses. Binford joined Turner Broadcasting System Inc. in 1993 to head public relations and communications for the company's entertainment networks group. This included TBS Superstation, TNT, Cartoon Network andTurner Classic Movies, as well as Turner Sports, including WorldChampionship Wrestling and the Goodwill Games. In addition she oversaw communications efforts supporting Turner Home Entertainment, the division comprising the company's home video, licensing & merchandising, publishing, new media and distribution businesses, and Turner Pictures, the feature film production unit.
Binford joined Turner from NBC, where, she was vp of corporate and media relations, west coast, overseeing media relations for NBC's entertainment division and served as west coast corporate spokesperson. A member of MTV's launch team, she rose to lead all press efforts on behalf of MTV Networks' four cable networks-MTV, including MTV Europe and MTV Asia; Nickelodeon; Nick at Nite and VH-1. Earlier in her career, Binford was director of publicity for CBS Records in Nashville.
Since April 2000, Brockman served as svp, entertainment communications, for the ABC Television Network, He joined ABC in 1997 as vp, media and artist relations. During his tenure, Brockman oversaw all ABC Entertainment publicity, including primetime and late-night programming; all ABC children's publicity; and the WONDERFUL WORLD OF DISNEY movie franchise. He was also in charge of all publicity, advertising and promotion for Touchstone Television. In addition to his public relations responsibilities, Brockman also supervised talent and artist relations for the Entertainment division, and managed the photo and new media department, which covers all dayparts of the ABC Television Network.
Previously, Brockman was part of the senior exec team that successfully launched the UPN network in January 1995, overseeing all corporate and entertainment communications. During his tenure, the network successfully added several additional evenings of primetime programming and launched programming into other dayparts.
Brockman began his career in television communications as thedirector of public relations, marketing and on-air promo for FoxTelevision Stations Productions (FTSP), a development division of FOX Inc. that was responsible for such programs as COPS, AMERICA'S MOST WANTED and STUDS.
Prior to TV communications, Brockman served as manager of public relations for Radio City Music Hall Productions in New York City, overseeing all aspects of media relations and corporate communications for this entertainment production company, and was responsible for the public relations campaigns for more than 350 live concerts and theatricals. In addition, he handled numerous television specials and corporate events, including the Super Bowl XXVII half-time show starring Michael Jackson. Brockman began his entertainment career in theatrical publicity, where he worked on a wide variety of Broadway and off-Broadway productions.
