Stanley Cheung to Head The Walt Disney Co. China

Stanley Cheung has been named md, The Walt Disney Co. (China), responsible for driving the company's strategy, coordinating all of Disney's business efforts in China, including overseeing Disney's global brands in the market, expanding existing businesses and seeking out new business opportunities.

Disney will now have its existing businesses in China managed locally, with all business segments reporting into Cheung, as well as their respective business units. Based in Shanghai, Cheung assumes his new post on Jan. 1, 2005.

"We are thrilled to bring Stanley's expertise in introducing and growing consumer brands and products in China to Disney as we increase our presence throughout the country," said Andy Bird, president, Walt Disney International. "China is of great strategic importance to Disney and Stanley's experience will be invaluable as the opportunities for our businesses in this market continue to expand and contribute to Disney's long-term growth."

Cheung was md of Johnson & Johnson (China) Ltd., the consumer arm of J&J businesses in China, where he led J&J's business growth through product line extensions, new product introductions and distribution expansion.

From 1996-2001, Cheung worked for The Pillsbury Co. out of Shanghai, serving in a series of positions of increasing responsibilities, culminating in the position of md, North Asia. Cheung successfully developed Pillsbury companies in China and Hong Kong into thriving businesses with leading brands like Haagen Dazs ice cream and WanChai Ferry Chinese dumplings. In addition, he also restructured various aspects of Pillsbury's Taiwan and Korea businesses to reinvigorate growth.

Previously, Cheung worked for the China Division of Pepsi-Cola International (PCI) in various positions. While there, he helped start up PCI's business in the Sichuan province, led the bottling operations in Guangzhou as gm and expanded PCI's distribution in second tier cities, including Changsha, Jinan and Shijiazhuang.

He began his career with Proctor & Gamble, gaining experience for nine years in both the finance and brand management arenas, in Canada, Singapore, Hong Kong and China, covering various positions.

The Walt Disney Co. first entered China in the 1930s and now has representative offices in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. Disney is the largest provider of western television programming, both animation and live action, to mainland China. Amongst many publishing projects, MICKEY MOUSE is the best selling magazine in China with 350,000 copies per issue. Disney also has content agreements with all the major mobile and broadband operators. It also has been distributing theatrical motion pictures since 1995 and has released more than 330 VCD titles and 120 DVD titles since 1997. Next year sees the opening of Hong Kong Disneyland on September 12.