Gary Marsh moves up to the newly created global position of president, entertainment, Disney Channel Worldwide, responsible for overseeing development and production of Disney Channel Worldwide's entire slate of original programming - both live action and animated - leading the effort to create world-class Disney and Jetix-branded programming for kids and families around the world.
Disney Channel Worldwide is the global kids and family TV business of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS) and is comprised of 24 Disney Channels, six Playhouse Disney Channels, seven Toon Disney channels, 15 Jetix channels and ABC Kids on the ABC Television Network.
"Gary is an extraordinary executive who has created a treasure trove of original movies, series and characters that have defined and solidified the Disney Channel brand for kids and families around the globe, said Rich Ross, president, Disney Channel Worldwide, to whom Marsh will continue to report. By putting worldwide original programming under his creative leadership, we will maximize our opportunities, enhance collaboration among our talented global original programming teams and be poised for even greater success."
Marsh will lead an initiative to establish new original programming teams in London and Japan to maximize content creation opportunities around the globe. He will also add management of the U.S. planning, scheduling and acquisitions teams under the leadership of Scott Garner, svp, programming, who will report to Marsh.
Marsh will continue to oversee Original Movies, Original Series, Casting and Talent Relations and Production for Disney Channel U.S. and Jetix U.S.
Marsh was responsible for developing Disney Channel's original programming slate including breakout hits LIZZIE MCGUIRE, THAT'S SO RAVEN, KIM POSSIBLE and THE SUITE LIFE OF ZACK & CODY. He also contributed to a slate of more than 60 Disney Channel Original movies including THE CHEETAH GIRLS, which yielded a double-platinum-selling soundtrack. In addition, he supervises production and development of the Playhouse Disney preschool block of programs, which includes the Emmy Award-winning ROLIE POLIE OLIE as well as JOJO'S CIRCUS and HIGGLYTOWN HEROES.
EVP, original programming and production, Disney Channel for the past four years, Marsh joined Disney Channel as exec director, programming, in 1988 and, within months, was promoted to vp. In 1994, he was named svp, original programming and was promoted to evp in 1999. He assumed the expanded role of evp, original programming and production, Disney ABC Cable Networks Group, in 2001.
Disney Channel Worldwide is part of the Disney-ABC Television Group.
