BURBANK, CA -- Peter Seymour, a respected and proven strategic entertainment executive, has been named to the newly created position of Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, Disney/ABC Television Group, it was announced today by Anne Sweeney, Co-Chair, Media Networks &President, Disney/ABC Television Group, to whom he will report.
This appointment consolidates financial leadership for the entertainment portfolio encompassed by the Disney/ABC Television Group, including the ABC Television Network, ABC Studios, ABC Owned Station Group, Disney Channel, Disney XD, Disney Junior, Disney Domestic Television, ABC Family, Radio Disney and Hyperion Publishing. In addition, Seymour will retain his oversight of strategy development for The Walt Disney Company’s worldwide broadcasting and cable programming businesses, as well as his supervision of research, customer relationship management, media planning and franchise management.
In making the announcement, Ms. Sweeney said: “The consolidation of these important functions into one role allows us to streamline decision making and align our strategic goals to better serve the evolving needs of our Group. Peter is a proven executive who has a keen understanding of our business and what is needed to continue our momentum and growth.”
“I’m thrilled to be given this new opportunity and excited about the prospects for the future. I’ve been impressed with the caliber of our finance teams, and look forward to working with them to support the Disney/ABC Television Group as we continue to grow our business,” Seymour said.
Prior to this announcement, Seymour has been Executive Vice President of Strategy and Research for Disney Media Networks, since 2008. His strategy role encompasses strategy development for The Walt Disney Company’s worldwide broadcasting and cable programming businesses. In addition he oversees research, customer relationship management, media planning and franchise management.
Since joining the group as a Senior Vice President in 2005, Seymour helped shape its overall strategy and the strategic direction of its individual businesses. He was part of a team that developed the strategy for converting Toon Disney and Jetix channels worldwide into Disney XD, launching Disney Junior, and expanding Disney Channel into multiple international markets. He was an integral part of efforts to digitize ABCNews, efforts that led to ABCNews’ relationship with Yahoo and its 24-hour cable network joint venture with Univision. He has been instrumental in planning the deployment of ABC, ABC Family and Disney content on digital platforms, including the recent launch of the Watch Disney apps in conjunction with Comcast.
He partnered with ESPN to launch the industry-leading Disney Media and Advertising Lab in Austin, which has completed well over 100 primary research studies using advanced technologies like facial coding, eye-gaze tracking and biometric monitoring. His media planning team oversees the allocation of DATG’s on-air promotion as well as placing paid media and measuring marketing effectiveness across all platforms. His franchise management team is responsible for developing merchandising and licensing strategies for key properties originating with Disney/ABC Television Group, such as “Phineas & Ferb,” “Jake and the Neverland Pirates,” ABC Family’s “Jane by Design” and ABC’s “Castle,” “The Chew” and “Once Upon a Time.”
Prior to joining Disney Media Networks, Seymour spent nine years in the Strategic Planning unit of The Walt Disney Company, where he oversaw corporate development and worked closely with the broadcasting, internet, video games and technology units of the company.
He joined Disney from The LEK/Alcar Consulting Group, where he managed strategy consulting projects in technology and media fields. Seymour served on the board of Disney’s public subsidiary Jetix Europe, N.V. until it was fully acquired by Disney, and he currently serves on the board of the AETN partnership, which manages the A&E, History, Bio and Lifetime networks. He is also Disney’s board member in the Coalition for Innovative Media Measurement, a research partnership founded by 14 television content providers, agencies and advertisers.
Seymour has a BA in economics and Asian languages and an MBA from Stanford University.
Source: Disney/ABC Television Group