Walt Disney Internet Group Names Paul Yanover as EVP and Managing Director, Disney Online
Paul Yanover, a 12-year Disney veteran and current head of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Online (WDPRO), has been named executive vice president and managing director of Disney Online (DOL), the business unit of the Walt Disney Internet Group (WDIG) that produces the top entertainment destination for kids and families on the World Wide Web. The appointment was announced today by WDIG President Steve Wadsworth and is effective immediately.
"Paul has been a driving force in digital media within our company for more than a decade, most recently with our Parks & Resorts group, building its website portfolio into a substantial e-commerce business," said Wadsworth. "I've worked closely with him for the past three years and know he brings a strong vision that will take our business to the next level during this time of great opportunity for Disney Online, when more and more consumers are turning to the Internet as a key source of entertainment."
In his new capacity, Yanover will assume responsibility for all of DOL's strategic, creative, technical and marketing initiatives surrounding the presence of the Disney brand on the Internet, including: flagship site
www.disney.com, which will undergo a major redesign and strategic development initiative over the next several years; DOL's acclaimed suite of premium broadband products including online games; a large portfolio of divisional Web sites for The Walt Disney Company (TWDC); and Web sites
www.familyfun.com,
www.go.com and
www.movies.com.
Yanover will succeed Ken Goldstein, who is leaving Disney to pursue another opportunity. "Ken has made great contributions to WDIG over the past eight years," said Wadsworth. "We wish him well in his next venture."
Yanover is a seasoned Disney executive who has held senior positions with Walt Disney Studios, Buena Vista Games and WDPRO. During his three-year tenure in his current post as senior vice president and general manager, WDPRO, e-commerce sales have more than tripled. Yanover was also responsible for developing and launching Virtual Magic Kingdom, Disney's online multi-player adventure game that allows Disney fans to experience the magic of Disney Theme Parks from their own home.
Prior to WDPRO, Yanover was senior vice president and general manager of the Buena Vista Game Entertainment Studio, a business unit of TWDC which was founded to exploit emerging opportunities in the PC, video game and online entertainment businesses. He began his career with Disney in 1991 with Walt Disney Feature Animation, ultimately becoming vice president of technology and digital production for the group. In 1999, Yanover co-founded Ceiva Logic, Inc., a consumer electronics company featuring Ceiva, the world's first Internet-connected digital picture frame and digital picture-sharing network.
Yanover holds a Master of Science degree in computer science from the University of Southern California and a double honors Bachelor of Science in computer science and economics from the University of Western Ontario.
Yanover will succeed Ken Goldstein, who is leaving Disney to pursue another opportunity. "Ken has made great contributions to WDIG over the past eight years," said Wadsworth. "We wish him well in his next venture."
Yanover is a seasoned Disney executive who has held senior positions with Walt Disney Studios, Buena Vista Games and WDPRO. During his three-year tenure in his current post as senior vice president and general manager, WDPRO, e-commerce sales have more than tripled. Yanover was also responsible for developing and launching Virtual Magic Kingdom, Disney's online multi-player adventure game that allows Disney fans to experience the magic of Disney Theme Parks from their own home.
Prior to WDPRO, Yanover was senior vice president and general manager of the Buena Vista Game Entertainment Studio, a business unit of TWDC which was founded to exploit emerging opportunities in the PC, video game and online entertainment businesses. He began his career with Disney in 1991 with Walt Disney Feature Animation, ultimately becoming vice president of technology and digital production for the group. In 1999, Yanover co-founded Ceiva Logic, Inc., a consumer electronics company featuring Ceiva, the world's first Internet-connected digital picture frame and digital picture-sharing network.
Yanover holds a Master of Science degree in computer science from the University of Southern California and a double honors Bachelor of Science in computer science and economics from the University of Western Ontario.
Yanover will be succeeded at WDPRO by Edward Kummer, who previously served as vice president of creative development and production for that business.