After navigating carriage battles with Charter, DirecTV and YouTube TV over the past three years, Disney has promoted longtime executive Jimmy Zasowski to a key distribution post.
As President, Platform Distribution, Disney Entertainment and ESPN, Zasowski will spearhead negotiations with pay-TV operators and other distribution partners. The task is far more complex than when a handful of major MVPDs ruled the industry. Today, the variables have multiplied due to streaming, not to mention the ongoing shrinkage of the pay-TV bundle.
An additional complication last year was the departure of Justin Connolly, a 27-year veteran of ESPN and Disney, who moved to a senior post at YouTube just as its TV arm was starting renewal talks with Disney. After the companies failed to reach an agreement, Disney networks went dark for 15 days. Disney sued YouTube, claiming it had poached Connolly. The suit was later settled.
Sean Breen, who is EVP Platform Distribution Sales for all global accounts and the North American business, stepped in on an interim basis after Connolly’s departure. He co-led negotiations with YouTube TV along with Jimmy Zasowski. He will now take on an expanded global role in platform distribution sales, Disney said, adding responsibilities for the EMEA, LATAM and APAC regions.
The promotion was announced Thursday by Disney Entertainment Co-Chairmen Alan Bergman and Dana Walden and ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro, to whom Zasowski will jointly report.
Zasowski will lead the distribution and monetization of Disney+, Hulu and ESPN; the company’s linear portfolio, including the eight ABC-owned television stations; ABC’s broadcast affiliations; and film and television programming across home entertainment and content licensing. His responsibilities also include all distribution-related business operations and direct oversight of global distribution and content licensing throughout North America, EMEA, LATAM and APAC.
“Jimmy is a skilled strategist, excellent dealmaker, and a thoughtful, collaborative leader who will advance the company’s distribution efforts to the next level,” Bergman, Walden and Pitaro said in a joint statement. “We have full confidence in his ability to lead this global organization, build on the strength of the team, and drive results as consumer viewing habits and the media landscape continue to evolve.”
Zasowski joined Disney in 2009. He most recently served as EVP of Platform Distribution Strategy, where he led distribution strategy and business affairs for Disney’s direct-to-consumer services, linear networks and home entertainment. In this role he was responsible for deal analysis, strategic planning and developing growth strategies to expand the company’s footprint throughout the media landscape.
“I’m honored to have the opportunity to lead the best distribution and content sales team in the industry,” Zasowski said. “I look forward to building upon the successful partnerships that we have across the globe and further expanding access to Disney’s best-in-class content in this dynamic marketplace.”