Jason Brenek, who most recently served as the studios' vice president of Distribution Strategy, has been promoted to the newly created position of senior vice president, Worldwide Digital Cinema and Cinema Programming, it was announced today by Mark Zoradi, president, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Group.
In his new role, Brenek will be responsible for developing and overseeing Cinema Programming (any non-movie content, including 3D or live events, delivered to theaters enabled by Digital Cinema), setting Disney's worldwide Digital Cinema strategy, and negotiating and closing Digital Cinema deployment deals around the world.
Additionally, he will work with all areas of production and distribution to ensure a smooth transition from 35mm to digital exhibition. Brenek will report to Zoradi, and work directly with Chuck Viane, president, Distribution, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, and Anthony Marcoly, president, Distribution, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures International.
Commenting on the announcement, Zoradi said, "Jason has been on the cutting edge of Digital Cinema for many years here at Disney, and he's the ideal choice to be leading our Worldwide Digital Cinema and Cinema Programming efforts. He helped to pioneer Disney's entry into the Digital 3D world with our first release, CHICKEN LITTLE, and he did a fantastic job conceiving, championing and overseeing the enormously successful February 2008 release of HANNAH MONTANA & MILEY CYRUS: BEST OF BOTH WORLDS CONCERT. The latter has already grossed over 64 million and ranks as the top grossing digital 3-D release to date. Digital Cinema is the future of theatrical exhibition and it creates new and exciting experiences for moviegoers of all ages. We're excited about the possibilities and confident that Jason will maintain Disney's reputation as the leader in the field."
In his role as vice president of Distribution Strategy for The Walt Disney Studios, Brenek led negotiations and helped Disney become the first studio in the industry to deploy Digital Cinema by signing deals with Dolby and Christie/AIX. He recently oversaw similar negotiations for the first international D-Cinema deployment deal (with Arts Alliance), announced on February 11, 2008.
For CHICKEN LITTLE, the industry's first Digital 3D film release, Brenek created an alliance between Disney, Dolby, ILM and RealD and deployed the first commercial systems across the Top 25 markets. In addition to his role in launching the Disney Digital 3D release of HANNAH MONTANA & MILEY CYRUS: BEST OF BOTH WORLDS CONCERT, he was also responsible for overseeing the first live, true HD D-Cinema sporting event in theaters (NCAA football and basketball games on November 7th, 2007).
Brenek began his association with Disney in 1996 with Buena Vista Home Entertainment International. He then moved to 20th Century Fox where he worked in the International Theatrical group from 1997-1999. He returned to The Walt Disney Studios in 2003 in his current role. Prior to joining Disney in his most recent position, he worked for the Los Angeles office of strategy consulting firm, Bain & Company.
