Disney Entertainment and ESPN have announced a significant addition to their leadership team. Adam Smith has been named the new Chief Product & Technology Officer, a role that will see him overseeing the global Product and Technology group across Disney’s entertainment and sports media businesses. Smith replaces Aaron LaBerge who moved to the sports-betting company Penn Entertainment, which ESPN has a large partnership with.
The appointment comes at a time when ESPN’s future is very much uncertain. Disney CEO Bob Iger has been looking to find a strategic partner for ESPN which he stated is a phenomenal brand. The company also recently announced a new larger bundled streaming service that will include ESPN, Fox, and Warner Bros. as the main brands.
Disney is intensifying its focus on streaming services, leveraging cutting-edge technology to enhance its digital entertainment offerings and compete in the evolving media landscape.
“We could not be more thrilled to have Adam join the Disney team in this pivotal role,” Bergman, Walden and Pitaro said in a joint statement. “We’ve been aggressive in advancing our technological capabilities to better support our world-class media, streaming and advertising businesses, and Adam brings a bold, consumer-focused vision for the future and a proven ability to effectively lead global teams in implementing ambitious, scalable and flexible products and technology that will continue to elevate storytelling as the center of the Disney experience.”
“Disney has built and nurtured an unparalleled portfolio of brands bringing joy and delight to fans of all ages, thanks to a culture of creativity that embraces innovation,” said Smith. “I believe Disney is uniquely positioned to thrive in the next evolution of media and has made significant progress in a very short time while keeping storytelling front and center. I look forward to working closely with Alan, Dana and Jimmy and their top-notch teams and am excited to bring my expertise in utilizing technology to build compelling consumer experiences that will drive engagement and discovery among fans, families and friends.”
Key Responsibilities for Smith
In his new position, Smith will drive technology strategy and innovation across Disney’s streaming platforms and networks. He will also oversee consumer digital touchpoints and proprietary advertising technology. Smith is set to lead a global team of technologists, including engineers, product managers, designers, and data scientists. He brings a wealth of experience from his previous role at YouTube, where he served as Vice President of Product Management. His expertise in building compelling consumer experiences and driving engagement is expected to be a valuable asset to Disney.
Background and Experience
Adam Smith’s impressive career spans over 20 years at Google and YouTube in various executive roles. He played an integral role in building YouTube’s biggest consumer-facing products and was instrumental in driving YouTube Music and Premium to over 100 million subscribers. His experience includes leadership in global content and product across kids, sports, news, and education. Prior to his time at Google and YouTube, Smith held roles at Random House/Bertelsmann. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of California, Berkeley, and an MBA from Stanford University.
This appointment reflects Disney’s commitment to advancing its technological capabilities and maintaining its position as a leader in media and entertainment. Smith is set to join Disney on September 3, reporting jointly to Disney Entertainment Co-Chairmen Alan Bergman and Dana Walden, as well as ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro.