Walt Disney International Europe and Buena Vista Internet Group (BVIG) have
promoted Andrew Barron to executive vice president of new media and
business development for Walt Disney International Europe; and Chafic Najia
to senior vice president and managing director of Buena Vista Internet
Group Europe. Barron joined WDTV-I in 1995 as director of business
development. Since then he has been responsible for identifying and
negotiating several Disney Channel agreements, as well as equity
investments in HBO Hungary, Czech Republic, Poland, and other new-media
ventures. Prior to joining Disney, Barron worked for international
management consultants McKinsey & Co. in London and Lisbon, Portugal,
focusing on telecommunications strategy and mergers and acquisition
activities. Najia joined Disney Online in 1996, a month before the launch
of Disney.com, Disney's first Internet offering. In 1998, Najia moved to
the United Kingdom as vice president and managing director of BVIG Europe
to open its London office. Prior to joining Disney, Najia held various
business development, strategy and finance positions with companies such as
SunAmerica Inc., McKinsey & Co. and Goldman, Sachs & Co.