Disney veteran Ricky Strauss, one of the top executives who launched Disney + and former head of marketing for Walt Disney Studios, is leaving the company after nine years.
Rebecca Campbell, Disney’s chair of Direct-to-Consumer & International, made the announcement internally and Strauss also shared the news with his staff.
Strauss’ decision comes a few months after the major restructuring at Disney, which gave him a new role as president of programming and content management for Disney + and Hulu.
In light of his departure, Joe +’s EPP Marketing and Operations Joe Earley, who has experience of his tenure at Fox, will add Content Curation for Disney + to his competency and further report on Michael Paull, President, Disney + and ESPN +. Hulu’s VP Content Partnerships Brian Henderson, who oversees Hulu Content Curation, will report on Hulu President Kelly Campbell.
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Previously, Strauss was President of Content & Marketing for Disney +, where he was responsible for developing the strategic content vision for the service, overseeing the development of the service’s original programming page, production partnerships, and content acquisition. He was named in the position in 2018 before the successful launch of the streaming platform in 2019. Strauss’s role changed after the development of content was moved to the studios at Disney in the past year.
Prior to that, Strauss served as president of marketing for The Walt Disney Studios, overseeing the Studios’ global marketing strategy that includes creative, media, digital, promotions, publicity, research and synergy across all distribution channels for released films. is under the Disney, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar Animation Studios, Marvel Studios and Lucasfilm banners.
Blockbuster films that Disney produced during Strauss’ tenure include Star Wars: The Force Awakens, for which Strauss was named Marketer of the Year by Advertising Age; Rogue One: A Star Wars Story; Marvel’s The Avengers, Captain America: Civil War, and Guardians of the Galaxy; Disney’s The Jungle Book, Cinderella, Maleficent and Beauty and the Beast; Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Frozen, Zootopia, and Moana; and Disney • Pixar’s Incredibles 2, Finding Dory and Inside out.
Here is Campbell’s memo, followed by Strauss’s email to his colleagues:
Dear team,
I’m sorry to hear that Ricky Strauss made the personal decision to leave the company after nine years at The Walt Disney Company.
Ricky has been an incredibly creative, dedicated leader and friend to so many of us at Disney. As Bob Iger has shared with me on several occasions, Ricky’s leadership of the Disney + Content & Marketing efforts that led up to and after the launch of Disney + was remarkable – and we appreciate his expertise, passion and care. However, the company’s recent reorganization has led to a significant change in Ricky’s role. After much deliberation, he decides that it is time to pursue new creative endeavors.
Although I’m sad to see Ricky go, I understand that big change also offers the opportunity to set a new course, and I respect the choice he made. I know you all wish Ricky all the best with my new adventures.
In the future, Joe Earley will add Content Curation for Disney + to his jurisdiction and report further to Michael Paull. Brian Henderson, who oversees Hulu Content Curation, will report to Kelly Campbell.
In closing, I would like to personally thank Ricky for all his wonderful work. His contributions to the success of the company and Disney + will forever be part of our legacy. Below is the note that Ricky sent to his team just moments ago.
With great gratitude,
Rebecca
———————-
Dear team:
After nine years at The Walt Disney Company, and much consideration over the past few months, I have come to the decision that it is time for me to make new creative efforts. It took a lot of thought and consideration, but with our new structure and the changes to my role, the reorganization does not offer me the opportunity to do the kind of work I would like to do and to continue with the intended impact that I have. was so lucky to have achieved at Disney.
It has been a privilege for the past few years to help create the roadmap to introduce Disney + to fans around the world. I have achieved so many personal goals that I have set for myself, and as a business we have achieved far more than I would ever think. None of this would have been possible without the company’s thoughtful risk-taking and strong focus on creating dynamic entertainment and value for our consumers.
I’m incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to work for a company I’ve always dreamed of as a child – and could play a role in defining its future. The launch of Disney + was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity – and I will never forget the trip we took together.
While I will be here by the end of the month to help Rebecca and the senior team with any transition needs, I now want to take the time to thank you personally as these are the daily interactions and shared moments with each of you. that I will miss the most.
Finally, I do not want to tell you how much I appreciate the leadership, guidance and support of Rebecca, Kareem, Bob Chapek and Bob Iger for their understanding of this very personal decision of mine to embark on a new adventure.
With great appreciation, admiration and love,
Ricky