Disney reorganized its global direct-to-consumer streaming organization, including installing Joe Earley, formerly head of Disney Plus marketing and operations, as president of Hulu.
As part of the reorg, Disney is creating a new hub for international content creation under the direction of Rebecca Campbell as chairman, International Content and Operations. She previously held the title of chairman, International Operations & Direct-to-Consumer.
Earley (pictured above), who previously served as EVP, marketing and operations for Disney Plus, has been named president of Hulu, which is majority owned by Disney. He takes over for Kelly Campbell, who left Hulu last fall to join NBCUniversal’s Peacock as president.
Rebecca Campbell, in her newly expanded role, will focus on local and regional content production for Disney’s streaming services, as well as continue overseeing the media conglomerate’s international media teams worldwide, reporting directly to CEO Bob Chapek. The International Content and Operations group will be home to a fourth “content-creation engine” for the company, alongside Disney’s studios, general entertainment and sports content groups.
In addition, Disney announced that Michael Paull has been promoted to the newly created role of president, Disney Streaming, overseeing Hulu in addition to Disney Plus, ESPN Plus and Star Plus, overseeing those platforms globally and reporting to Kareem Daniel, chairman of Disney Media and Entertainment Distribution (DMED) segment. Paull previously was president, Disney Plus and ESPN Plus.
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Earley will report to Paull. Disney’s streaming leadership team will also include a new head of Disney Plus — who has yet to be named — filling a role that Paull held previously. Russell Wolff continues to serve as head of ESPN Plus. These roles will also report to Paull.
“Disney’s direct-to-consumer efforts have progressed at a tremendous pace in just a few short years, and our organization has continued to grow and evolve in support of our ambitious global streaming strategy,” Chapek said in a statement.
Regarding Campbell’s new position, Chapek commented, “Rebecca has played a vital role in orchestrating our global platform expansion, and I’m excited that she will be leading our new International Content group, bringing her expertise and talent to oversee the growing pipeline of original local and regional content for our streaming services while continuing to lead our international operations.”
Campbell said in a statement, “Great content is what drives the success of our streaming services, and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work even more closely with the talented creators in our international markets who are producing new stories with local relevance to delight our audiences around the globe.”
Earley joined Disney Plus in January 2019 and two years later added oversight of global content curation for the company’s flagship streaming service. Prior to joining Disney Plus, Earley was president of the Jackal Group, where he oversaw all areas of the studio’s TV, film, commercial theater and digital divisions. Before that, he served in numerous roles in his two-decade career with Fox, where he last served as COO for Fox Television Group.
“I am excited to embark on this new era at Hulu, a streaming pioneer that over the past 15 years has distinguished itself with an unrivaled offering of groundbreaking, award-winning series and films from our talented content partners,” Earley said in a statement. “I have been a longtime Hulu subscriber and fan and have admired the unbridled creativity of the service’s content and culture, and I’m looking forward to the exciting opportunities that lie ahead, collaborating with our content studios, and tapping into the full power and strength of the Walt Disney Company.”
