As Sr. VP/GM at Disney Television Animation, she has overseen the development of current animated slate, making the studio home to a notable roster of creative talent while launching initiatives promoting and advancing diversity and inclusion.
Meredith Roberts has been named executive vice president, TV Animation, Disney Branded Television. This appointment follows her demonstrated leadership and oversight, both creative and operational, at the Disney Television Animation studio, during a period of significant growth for the company. The announcement was made at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival in Annecy, France, by Ayo Davis, president, Disney Branded Television, to whom Roberts reports,
"A leader of incredible vision and a true champion of artistic talent, Meredith has set a new bar for Disney Television Animation, building upon the single greatest animation legacy in the world to lead a team that is creating the most innovative, magical animated storytelling in the business," noted Davis. "This well-deserved promotion is in recognition of not only her tremendous leadership and creativity but her ongoing commitment to advancing diverse, inclusive storytelling for audiences everywhere."
Roberts has helmed Disney Television Animation since 2018, overseeing the development and current animated content and production for kids 6-14 and families, including traditional 2D and CG series, movies, and shorts distributed around the world via Disney+ and Disney Channel. During her tenure (in 2020), Disney Television Animation earned more Daytime Emmy Award nominations than in its 38-year history.
Central to building a notable roster, Roberts has made the studio home to creative talents, including Bruce W. Smith and Ralph Farquhar's BAR Productions (The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder); Laurence Fishburne and Helen Sugland of Cinema Gypsy, and Steve Loter (Marvel's Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur); Dan Povenmire (Hamster and Gretel, Phineas and Ferb); and Natasha Kline (Primos).
Roberts is responsible for the Disney Television Animation Writing Program, which has placed more than 30 junior writers from underrepresented groups into Disney Television Animation full-time writing jobs. Launched last year, her recent initiative includes a mentorship component and a writing lab providing participants an opportunity to explore story, character, structure, and theme. Based on these programs' success, there are plans to add new programs focusing on storyboard artists and songwriters.
Roberts works closely with her counterparts at Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar, Marvel, and 20th Television Animation to represent Disney's leadership in animation. Her leadership extends to work with ASIFA, Women in Animation, and advocacy groups, including Black N' Animated, LatinX in Animation, and the Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment.
Most recently, she was senior vice president/general manager of Television Animation, Disney Branded Television, and previously served as general manager of Disneytoon Studios. From 2001-04, she was head of development, Film and Television, Klasky-Csupo Entertainment.
Source: Disney Branded Television
Debbie Diamond Sarto is news editor at Animation World Network.
