Disney Entertainment is making some significant changes to its senior leadership, with Adam Smith being named chairman of direct-to-consumer for the division, overseeing all elements of Disney Entertainment’s DTC business, including product, engineering, advertising technology, programming, viewer experience, partnerships, and data and analytics for Disney+ and Hulu.

Meanwhile, Joe Earley, who had been co-president of direct-to-consumer, will move to a new role as president of Disney Entertainment Television franchise and content strategy, reporting to Deb OConnell.

In a memo to DET staff late Thursday, OConnell also announced that Eric Schrier will leave his post as head of DTC international originals, strategic programming and emerging media. The 26-year veteran of FX and Disney will move to a producing deal with Disney Entertainment television.

Smith, a veteran of YouTube (where he led YouTube Premium and YouTube Music), joined Disney two years ago with a mandate to reimagine the product and technology underpinning the company’s streaming ambitions.

The new role will place all of the company’s DTC efforts under one executive, a structure that will matter even more as CEO Josh D’Amaro follows through on his plan to make Disney+ the “digital centerpiece” of the company. The previous structure saw multiple executives each overseeing different elements of the DTC experience, reporting up to Walden and Alan Bergman. The new structure simplifies it under Smith.

“Over the past two years, Adam has done an exceptional job building a world-class team of product and technology leaders and has significantly enhanced the Disney+ user experience globally,” said Dana Walden, Disney’s president & chief creative officer, in a statement. “Alan Bergman and I are pleased to recognize the tremendous impact he has had on our direct-to-consumer business since he joined Disney, and we are confident that he is the right leader to meet the critical moment we’re in and take us to the next level.”

“Disney has the best storytellers and the most passionate fandom in the world, and I couldn’t be prouder of what this team has built together,” added Smith. “We’ve established real momentum, and our vision ahead is clear: make Disney+ the connection point for fans everywhere to engage with the full breadth and depth of the broader Disney ecosystem. I’m grateful for this team, energized by what’s ahead, and excited for our next chapter.”

Earley, meanwhile, joined Disney in 2019 as part of the 21st Century Fox deal (Walden also joined the company in that deal), serving in a number of roles, including president of Hulu, and later adding Disney+ to his purview.

In his new role Earley will lead strategic development for Disney Entertainment’s TV franchises, as well as content and production for international originals, production, labor relations and creative talent development.

“Joe has been an exceptional leader for our direct-to-consumer business over the past four years, and I am deeply grateful for his partnership and meaningful contributions,” said Walden. “He is a talented executive with a rare combination of business acumen and creative instincts, and Debra OConnell and I could not be more excited to welcome him to the leadership team at Disney Entertainment Television.”

Schrier was one of the “architects” of FX, as OConnell put it in the memo, working with John Landgraf to build the channel into one of the leading purveyors of original series on cable and, later, helping integrate the former Fox property into Disney.

Earlier this summer, Disney+ president Alisa Bowen exited to join Fubo as its CEO.

OConnell’s full memo is below.

Team,

Following Dana’s note a short time ago, I first want to congratulate Adam Smith on his new role as chairman, Direct-to-Consumer for Disney Entertainment. Adam is an exceptional leader and partner, and I’m thrilled for him as he takes on this expanded responsibility. I also want to congratulate Joe Earley on his new role and share how incredibly happy I am to welcome him to Disney Entertainment Television – although for so many of us, Joe needs little introduction.

Joe and I have worked closely together since he joined the company in 2019, and I know firsthand what a thoughtful, creative and deeply collaborative partner he is. He knows our businesses and our teams incredibly well, and brings a rare combination of strategic thinking, sharp instincts and genuine passion for our content and brands.

As president, DET Franchise and Content Strategy, Joe will now lead the strategic development of our franchises, building on some of our greatest strengths – our incredible IP and rich content library – to deepen engagement with audiences and create new opportunities for growth. He will also oversee DET production, labor relations and creative talent development and inclusion, along with our international content, bringing our global titles and local originals together under Disney Entertainment Television. Joe’s experience makes him uniquely suited to build on our success, and I couldn’t be happier to have him alongside us in this new role. We’ll have more to share in the coming weeks. In the meantime, I know many of you have worked with Joe over the years, and I hope you’ll join me in welcoming him to the leadership team at DET.

I would also like to share an update about Eric Schrier. As Eric and I have been talking about the future, he shared with me his desire to return to his creative roots. After an extraordinary 26 years at Disney, including as one of the early architects of FX, Eric has decided this is the right moment to pursue that next chapter. I’m so pleased that we’ll continue working together through a new producing partnership with DET. Eric plans to share more about what’s ahead soon, and we’re excited about what we’re going to create together.

We have tremendous momentum across our organization powered by exceptional creative teams, some of the most beloved franchises in entertainment, and stories that connect with fans around the world. Thank you for everything you do to make that possible. I’m looking forward to everything we’ll continue to accomplish together!

All the best,
Debra

Sept. 17, 4:05 p.m.: Updated with news of Eric Schrier leaving for a producing deal.