One of the first big staff changes that incoming Disney CEO Josh D’Amaro is making is upping 25-year vet and Disney EVP of Communications, Paul Roeder, to Senior EVP and Chief Communications Officer at The Walt Disney Company.
Roeder’s promotion goes into effect on March 19 and he’ll report directly to D’Amaro.
In his new position, Roeder will lead Disney’s global communications and public relations strategy and operations and will serve as the conglomerate’s lead spokesperson. Roeder will have oversee of enterprise and business segment communications, as well as regional communications teams in EMEA, APAC, and Latin America, his responsibilities including media relations, executive communications, enterprise editorial strategy, internal communications and employee engagement, public affairs, and corporate social responsibility.
“Paul Roeder is an accomplished and highly respected executive with keen instincts and integrity, and he has built strong relationships in every area of the company and across the entertainment industry during his 25 years with Disney,” said D’Amaro. “He has a passion for Disney and a deep understanding of what it stands for, and I know he’ll do an outstanding job leading our exceptional Communications teams worldwide.”
“Disney is a place I love dearly, and it is a tremendous honor to take on this role at such an exciting and pivotal time for the company,” said Roeder. “I have huge respect for Josh D’Amaro, Dana Walden, and the entire executive team – as well as my talented Communications colleagues – and I’m incredibly optimistic about what we’ll be able to accomplish together. I’m deeply grateful to Josh for this wonderful opportunity, to Alan Bergman for his mentorship and support over the 15 years I’ve served him at The Walt Disney Studios, and to Bob Iger for the encouragement and insight he has so generously offered throughout my career at Disney.”
Roeder was named to lead comms for Disney Entertainment – Studios, Direct-to-Consumer, and International in 2023, overseeing the development and implementation of global comms strategies for The Walt Disney Studios and its production studios, including Disney, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar Animation Studios, Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm, 20th Century Studios, and Searchlight Pictures; Disney Theatrical Group; and Disney Music Group. He also led the communications teams for Disney Entertainment’s Direct-to-Consumer group as well as Disney Entertainment and ESPN’s Product and Technology, Platform Distribution, and International divisions, and The Walt Disney Company’s Office of Technology Enablement.
Roeder has steered communications for The Walt Disney Studios since 2010, and was a pivotal member of the exec team during Disney’s acquisition of 21st Century Fox in 2019, Lucasfilm in 2012, the 2019 launch of Disney+; and the studio’s recording breaking box office titles such as Avatar: The Way of Water, Avengers: Endgame, Black Panther, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Frozen, and Inside Out 2 among others.
Previously, Roeder served in roles of increasing responsibility in Corporate Communications for The Walt Disney Company from 2002-2010, after joining Disney’s ABC communications team in 2001. Roeder began his career in the entertainment industry serving in various roles at William Morris and later as an assistant to the EP on the Universal feature comedy Meet the Parents. He is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Roeder holds a bachelor’s degree in English from De Pauw University.
D’Amaro’s CEO tenure begins on March 18 at the company’s annual meeting. It was also announced back on Feb 3 that Dana Walden, Disney Entertainment Co-Chairman, was named President and Chief Creative Officer, a newly created role. Walden will report directly to D’Amaro. Iger is staying on as a senior advisor until the end of his current contract on December 31, surrendering the CEO title at the meeting.
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