Paul Yanover, a 12-year Disney vet and current head of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Online (WDPRO), has been named evp/md of Disney Online (DOL), the business unit of the Walt Disney Internet Group (WDIG).
Yanover assumes responsibility for all of DOLs strategic, creative, technical and marketing initiatives surrounding the presence of the Disney brand on the Internet, including: flagship site www.disney.com, which will undergo a major redesign and strategic development initiative over the next several years; DOLs acclaimed suite of premium broadband products including online games; a large portfolio of divisional Web sites for The Walt Disney Co. (TWDC); and websites www.familyfun.com, www.go.com and www.movies.com.
Paul has been a driving force in digital media within our company for more than a decade, most recently with our Parks & Resorts group, building its website portfolio into a substantial e-commerce business, said WDIG president Steve Wadsworth. Ive worked closely with him for the past three years and know he brings a strong vision that will take our business to the next level during this time of great opportunity for Disney Online, when more and more consumers are turning to the Internet as a key source of entertainment.
Yanover succeeds Ken Goldstein, who is leaving Disney to pursue another opportunity. Ken has made great contributions to WDIG over the past eight years, said Wadsworth. We wish him well in his next venture.
Yanover has held senior positions with Walt Disney Studios, Buena Vista Games and WDPRO. During his three-year tenure in his current post as svp/gm, WDPRO, e-commerce sales have more than tripled. Yanover was also responsible for developing and launching Virtual Magic Kingdom, Disney's online multi-player adventure game that allows Disney fans to experience the magic of Disney Theme Parks from home.
Prior to WDPRO, Yanover was svp/gm of the Buena Vista Game Ent. Studio, a business unit of TWDC, which was founded to exploit emerging opportunities in the PC, videogame and online entertainment businesses. He began his career with Disney in 1991 with Walt Disney Feature Animation, ultimately becoming vp of technology and digital production for the group. In 1999, Yanover co-founded Ceiva Logic Inc., a consumer electronics company featuring Ceiva, the world's first Internet-connected digital picture frame and digital picture-sharing network.
Edward Kummer, who was vp of creative development and production for that business, will succeed Yanover at WDPRO.
Disney Online (www.disney.com) produces the number one kids' entertainment and family community destination on the Web. Launched in 1995, Disney.com is designed to reflect the vision of an "online theme park," providing an interactive gateway to all of the company's many Disney-branded Internet initiatives.
Walt Disney Internet Group provides strategic leadership, business execution support and a world-class technology platform for all The Walt Disney Co. Internet properties, including category leaders ESPN.com and ABCNEWS.com, and directly operates Disney.com worldwide, FamilyFun.com, Movies.com.
A market leader in developing and distributing entertainment and informational content to new platforms, WDIG is committed to creating and delivering products for broadband distribution, and through relationships with some of the world's largest wireless carriers,
WDIG distributes content and services to wireless users under the mDisney and Starwave Mobile brands. Additionally, WDIG has led the way in developing interactive content for televised programming through its Enhanced TV service. Wadsworth is president of WDIG, which is headquartered in North Hollywood, California, and has operations in Budapest, London, Munich, New York, Orlando, Fla., Seattle and Tokyo.
