Disney Appoints International Team for Europe.

LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 27, 1999--

The Walt Disney Co. completed the next stage in the development of its international organization for Europe by naming six Disney veterans to country management roles, it was announced today by Etienne de Villiers, president and managing director of Walt Disney International -- Europe, Middle East and Africa.

"Our mission is to bring coordinated leadership to the international activities of The Walt Disney Co. in order to achieve the same consistency of voice and cross-divisional strengths that we enjoy in the United States," commented Robert A. Iger, president of Walt Disney International. "We are excited by the opportunities for Disney in Europe and confident Etienne and his team will further grow our brand and business performance, as well as identify opportunities for us to operate more efficiently."

In a related move, Gilles Pelisson, chairman and chief executive officer of Euro Disney (operating company of Disneyland Paris), will now report jointly to de Villiers and to Paul Pressler, president, Walt Disney Attractions. de Villiers noted: "Given the importance of Disneyland Paris to our brand and to all of our European activities, I am delighted that Gilles becomes a key member of the European senior management team which -- together with the heads of our individual businesses -- will develop an integrated regional strategy. Gilles brings to our team exceptional European consumer insight and proven operating skills. He has established Disneyland Paris as the number one tourist destination in Europe and was the driving force behind the company's plans to open a second gate, which will feature multimedia entertainment experiences from Europe and Hollywood."

In naming the country managing directors, de Villiers said: "We have tremendous strengths within each of our business units, and the diverse background of our European team reflects this. The combination of the functional expertise within our existing lines of business and the focused perspective of the new country managing directors will ensure that Disney acts in a fully coordinated manner to develop the brand and maximize synergy. Disney continues to be the strongest brand name for kids and families in Europe, and we look forward to continuing to provide all forms of high-quality family entertainment."

The role of the new country managing directors is to facilitate coordination between all of the Disney business units at the country level -- focusing on each unique market, looking across the businesses to gain an integrated view of Disney's consumers, customers and partners. These country heads have geographical responsibility for each market, working with current business unit managers who continue to manage line of business activity.

The six executives will all become managing director of six country groupings.

Claus Gydesen, 39, has been appointed managing director for Germany, Austria and Switzerland and will continue to be based in Munich. As head of Disney's video operations in these markets, Gydesen established a direct-to-retailer operation that helped make Buena Vista Home Entertainment consistently the number one video distributor for Germany. He brings considerable retail and marketing experience to his new role. Prior to joining Disney in 1995, Gydesen held sales and marketing roles at LEGO and MD Foods.

Philippe Laco, 44, has been appointed managing director for France and Benelux and will continue to be based in Paris. Formerly vice president and general manager of The Disney Channel France since 1996, Laco has spearheaded original production, programing, marketing and distribution roll-out of the award-winning French television service which is number one with kids in cable and satellite households. Laco has considerable experience in the video and music industries, having held senior roles at Warner Music France and Polygram S.A. prior to joining Disney.

Umberto Virri, 58, has been appointed managing director for Italy and Greece, continuing to be based in Milan. Virri has served as president of Disney Consumer Products Italy since 1990, overseeing all merchandise, publishing and interactive activity for Disney, including a portfolio of more than 30 magazine titles. Virri is a 23-year veteran of Disney and has directed home video activity in prior years. In addition to his current role, Virri oversees Accademia Disney, a highly regarded training program for character artists in Milan.

Laszlo Hubay Cebrian, 53, has been appointed managing director for Spain and Portugal. Hubay Cebrian, a Disney 20-year veteran, opened Disney's first offices in Portugal in 1980 and has managed Disney Consumer Products operations in Spain, Portugal and Germany as well as overseeing television and theme park marketing operations in Spain in prior years.

Stuart Warrener, 48, has been appointed managing director for Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa. With Warrener as president, Buena Vista Home Entertainment grew twenty-fold and established market leader distribution and marketing operations throughout Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Warrener has considerable experience building and operating new businesses and spearheaded BVHE's drive beyond traditional entertainment distribution channels into grocery and mass merchant. Warrener is a 12-year veteran of Disney and will be based in London.

Mats Caneman, 49, has been appointed managing director for the Nordic Region and continues as vice president and general manager of Buena Vista Home Entertainment Nordic, based in Stockholm. Caneman has worked for Disney since 1991 and under his management BVHE has been the market leader for six years. Prior to joining Disney, Caneman was general manager of Hemfilms/Egmont Film and sales manager for Sony for the introduction of the Sony Walkman to Scandinavia.

Each of the newly named managing directors reports directly to de Villiers who will act as country manager for the UK and is based in London.