Paul OHiggins has been appointed vp, marketing, Walt Disney Television, EMEA, to oversee all aspects of marketing, on and off air, across Europe, Middle East and Africa. He will be responsible for creating major marketing campaigns for Disneys key TV shows and channel launches, plus work with local markets to create the most successful strategies for them.
OHiggins was vp, creative at Nickelodeon, where he led the creative plans for on- and off-air, creating programming stunts, marathons, competitions and short-form interstitials.
John Hardie, evp/md, Walt Disney Television, said, Were delighted that Paul is joining our fast expanding network of Disney channels. His wide experience in kids TV and creative marketing make him the ideal candidate.
Prior to Nick, OHiggins spent five years working in a variety of creative marketing positions at AOL Time Warner and two years at Turner Ent. Intl Ltd., where he helped implement and build a channel team. OHiggins began his career as a producer/writer for TNT/Cartoon Network and the SCI FI Channel before he was recruited by Cartoon Network as creative director.
This is a fascinating time to be joining Disney Television and Im excited by both the challenges and opportunities this job will present, said OHiggins Creatively marketing such a classic brand and great content is something Im really looking forward to getting stuck into.
Since 1995, Disney Channel, Playhouse Disney and Toon Disney have been successfully launched throughout Europe, Middle East and Africa and can currently be seen throughout 38 countries in the region. With local operations based in London, Paris, Madrid, Milan, Munich, Lisbon and Stockholm, each channel remains individual with a mix of local programming and the core Disney hit programming. There are also 40 Disney branded blocks, which can be seen in more than 30 countries, airing some 100 hours of Disney programming per week on free TV.
abc1 was launched on Freeview in September 2004 and on ntl digital and Telewest Broadband in December 2004. In August 2005, the channel went 24/7 on Sky Digital. abc1s schedule focuses on high quality U.S acquisitions, including drama, comedy and serials, many of which have never been seen in the U.K. before.
