Disney Consumer Products global licensing and publishing will move under the studios umbrella effective Oct. 4, with parks merch and Disney Stores remaining under Experiences, the company said as it unveiled new details and expanded roles for two key executives in a major restructuring of DCP.
As reported, the move will align the licensing and publishing businesses more closely with Disney’s creative content groups.
As part of the transition, Cathleen Taff has been named President, Disney Entertainment – Studios and Consumer Products, reporting to Studios Chairman Alan Bergman. In addition to leading the incoming DCP businesses, she will continue to oversee production services, franchise management, and theatrical distribution for studio labels including Disney, Walt Disney Animation, Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm, 20th Century Studios and Searchlight Pictures. She will also continue to lead Disney Theatrical Group and Disney Music Group.
Taff, a 30-year Disney veteran, has held a range of senior executive roles at Studios where her purview includes technology and operations, labor relations, and franchise groups, as well as Disney’s stage production and music arms. As leader of Disney’s theatrical distribution team, she oversaw two of the biggest years in worldwide box office history including a record $11 billion in 2019 and the release of seven billion-dollar films over the past three years including Inside Out 2, Deadpool & Wolverine, Moana 2, Lilo & Stitch, Zootopia 2, Avatar: Fire & Ash and this summer’s Toy Story 5.
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“Cathleen has been an invaluable partner and leader within our team, bringing the same creativity, rigor, and collaborative spirit to everything she does,” said Bergman. “As we bring Disney Consumer Products’ licensing and publishing businesses into Disney Entertainment, there’s no one better suited to guide this next chapter. She understands how to connect our stories and franchises to the ways fans experience them, and she’ll ensure these businesses continue to grow with the same focus and excellence she’s brought to Studios.”
Baldzicki will continue to lead the Disney Parks merchandise business with expanded responsibility for global Parks merchandise, as well as the owned-and-operated retail businesses, including Disney Store locations worldwide and DisneyStore.com, reporting to Chairman of Disney Experiences Thomas Mazloum.
She will oversee a newly formed team that will identify emerging trends and opportunities, and the scaling of successful ideas across the Disney Experiences global portfolio. As EVP, Global Experience & Innovation, she will work closely with each business’ leadership team. Baldzicki is a global retail and merchandising executive with nearly three decades of deep industry experience leading consumer-facing businesses across wholesale, vertical retail, and hospitality environments globally.
“Lisa is a proven leader who brings together industry expertise, strategic vision, and a genuine passion for Disney storytelling,” said Mazloum. “I’m thrilled to have her in a new role where her unique ability to anticipate what resonates with consumers and translate those insights into meaningful experiences that can scale will help shape the future of our businesses across Disney Experiences.”
