After 11 years overseeing Walt Disney Television Animation (WDTVA), ultimately as president, Barry Blumberg announced his resignation from the group. He will remain with the company through the end of January to aid in the integration of the WDTVA Group into Disney Channel Worldwide. An announcement concerning the restructuring of Walt Disney Television Animation and its integration into Disney Channel Worldwide will be forthcoming.
In commenting on his decision to leave Walt Disney Television Animation, Blumberg said, I have spent more than half my professional life at The Walt Disney Co., and have been privileged to work with some of the most talented individuals and storied character franchises in the world. I am honored to have been here and to have left a legacy, no matter how small, with this great institution. Even though I am moving on, I will always have a special place in my heart for all that is Disney.
Anne Sweeney, co-chair, Disney Media Networks and president, Disney-ABC Television Group, to whom Blumberg had reported, added, Barry has done a great job in shepherding our efforts in the realm of TV animation. While I certainly understand and respect his decision to move on to new and exciting challenges at this point in his career, he will be missed. We wish him all the best.
As president of Walt Disney Television Animation, Barry Blumberg led all aspects of development and production for television series, series-based theatrical releases and series-based video premieres/compilations. He also served as a chief administrator for all division activities, including business affairs, finance, synergy, marketing and publicity.
During his tenure, Blumberg reinvigorated and expanded WDTVAs production slate to include programming for Disney Channel, Toon Disney and JETIX, as well as branded programming blocks around the world and on ABC Kids domestically.
In a series of firsts, Blumberg oversaw the creation and production of DISNEYS KIM POSSIBLE, an Emmy Award-winning series that became the first original WDTVA animated series to premiere on Disney Channel. He also oversaw the creation and production of SUPER ROBERT MONKEY TEAM HYPER-FORCE GO, the first original animated series ever produced for JETIX Worldwide. Both series have consumer products lines associated with them.
Blumberg oversaw the creation and production of several of The Walt Disney Co.s key animated franchises, guiding properties like DISNEYS RECESS from a television series to a theatrical release and a pair of video releases. He also broadened avenues for franchise characters from the Studios theatrical releases through television series and video premieres for HERCULES, BUZZ LIGHTYEAR, TARZAN and LILO & STITCH. Under his direction, WDTVA also produced theatrical releases like TEACHERS PET.
Among the more distinguished honors of Blumbergs animation career was his charge of creating a contemporary television venue for Disneys Fab Five Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy, Pluto and Minnie. That process began with the creation of DISNEYS HOUSE OF MOUSE series in 1999 and included a number of hit releases generated through that series, including MICKEYS MAGICAL CHRISTMAS: SNOWED IN AT THE HOUSE OF MOUSE and MICKEYS HOUSE OF VILLAINS. He also oversaw the creation and production of DISNEYS MICKEY MOUSE CLUBHOUSE for Playhouse Disney. This will mark the first-ever CG animated television series starting Mickey Mouse.
Brought on board in 1994 to create new programs for The Disney Afternoon, Blumberg eventually tripled the size of the divisions team of producers to include Paul Germain and Joe Ansolabehere, Sue Rose, Mike Moon, Gary Baseman and Bill and Cheri Steinkellner, Bob Schooley and Mark McCorkle, Bill Motz and Bob Roth, Jack Thomas, Ciro Neili, Bob Boyle, Steve Marmel and Roberts Gannaway.
Blumberg is a graduate of UCLA and resides in Los Angeles with his wife and young son.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
