ABC Cable Networks Group Names Worldwide Brand Strategy Team.

Entertainment Editors

BURBANK, Calif.--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--Aug. 7, 2001

ABC Cable Networks Group completed the management alignment for the newly created Worldwide Brand Strategy and Planning group today with the selection of a management team, Eleo Hensleigh, executive vice president, worldwide brand strategy, announced.

The group is responsible for brand strategy, research, marketing and planning worldwide for each of ABC Cable Networks Group's domestic and international channels, including wholly owned and developing networks as well as Disney's One Saturday Morning programming block on ABC.

Sandy Wax has been promoted to senior vice president, brand strategy and planning, and Adam Sanderson assumes a new position as senior vice president, brand marketing. Additionally, John Rood has been named vice president of brand marketing. Scott Fuller will serve as the group's vice president of brand management. Vycki Smaldino has been promoted to vice president of brand services. Wax and Sanderson will report directly to Hensleigh. Rood, Fuller and Smaldino report to Sanderson.

"I am very excited about this group structure, which unites top strategic thinking with creative expertise," said Hensleigh. "This will be invaluable to position us for growth in this changing, complex and global marketplace."

In her new role, Wax will spearhead the development of new and emerging brands and initiatives for the ABC Cable Networks Group. She will continue to oversee research for the division, providing support and analysis for programming, advertising and affiliate sales. In addition, she will create a more unified global research organization and help consolidate the leadership for kids consumer research. Wax has been instrumental in developing the vision and curriculum for Playhouse Disney, as well as coordinating the worldwide Disney Channel brand vision. This new role recognizes Wax's leadership on such projects, as well as her management of an outstanding research team. Reporting to Wax are Scott Garner, executive director of research who heads up programming and ad sales research for the group, and Pam Wiederin, director of research who is responsible for consumer and affiliate sales research.

Previously, Wax served as vice president, research and planning, ABC Cable Networks Group where she oversaw all consumer, programming and trade research for Disney Channel, Toon Disney and SoapNet. Prior to that, Wax was vice president of research and planning for Discovery Communications Inc., where she oversaw the corporate and new business research department. In his new role, Sanderson will continue to develop strategic brand marketing initiatives for all current networks as well as spearhead the role of property and franchise management of the ABC Cable Networks Group television assets worldwide. Sanderson will also be responsible for maximizing synergy opportunities with internal Disney divisions, as well as the group's equity interests in Lifetime, A&E and E! Networks. Additionally, Sanderson will continue to expand the function of new media and technology, which currently spearheads the very successful Playhouse Disney.com and ZoogDisney.com. He will also have oversight of the group's special events and fulfillment services departments.

Previously, Sanderson served as senior vice president of marketing for ABC Cable Networks Group, and was responsible for overseeing the marketing activities for the division's wholly owned channels including Disney Channel, Toon Disney and SoapNet. This included consumer and trade advertising, national and local promotions, event marketing, online, brand management and synergy efforts within The Walt Disney Company. Prior to that, he was vice president of marketing for Disney Channel and was primarily responsible for creating consumer and trade promotions and event marketing. Before joining Disney Channel in 1997, Sanderson was vice president of promotion marketing for FX Networks, where he was responsible for overseeing all consumer and affiliate promotions for both FX and FXM: Movies from Fox.

Rood previously served as vice president of marketing for ABC Cable Networks, where he oversaw the positioning and execution of strategic marketing plans for Disney Channel, Toon Disney and SoapNet. Rood was also responsible for the day-to-day management of advertising and promotions teams. Prior to joining ABC Cable Networks Group in 1999, Rood was director, promotions and branded foods, for Warner Bros. Consumer Products.

Fuller will be responsible for the brand stewardship of the division's wholly owned networks, as well as specific programming franchises such as Playhouse Disney and Disney Channel Original Movies. He will work to develop specific property plans around key initiatives within ABC Cable Networks Group, as well as build external partnerships to grow the overall business. Prior to joining ABC Cable Networks Group, Fuller served as executive director of marketing and consumer products for Scholastic Entertainment, where he oversaw development of all marketing strategies for Scholastic Consumer Products.

As vice president of brand services, Smaldino will oversee the group's creative services, fulfillment services and special events departments. She previously served as executive director of special events. Prior to joining ABC Cable Networks Group in 1996, Smaldino was manager of external communications for Mazda Motor of America.

ABC Cable Networks Group develops and manages brands that leverage the assets of The Walt Disney Company in cable and related medias, both domestically and internationally. The Group domestically encompasses the wholly owned networks Disney Channel, Toon Disney, SoapNet and the recently announced Playhouse Disney, and is responsible for ABC's interests in Lifetime, A&E and E! Networks. Additionally, ABC Cable Networks Group oversees all 13 international Disney Channels and all Disney-branded blocks of programming on cable and network television worldwide.