Disney Names Adam Smith Head of Direct-to-Consumer Streaming
- has promoted product and technology chief Adam Smith to head its direct-to-consumer streaming business, giving the executive sole leadership over a unit he previously shared with Joe Earley,...
- Our streaming platforms are more dynamic and personalized, and the team is constantly testing and iterating features to continue to improve the product.
- As part of the broader leadership shake-up, Joe Earley will remain at Disney in a newly defined role.
Walt Disney Co. has promoted product and technology chief Adam Smith to head its direct-to-consumer streaming business, giving the executive sole leadership over a unit he previously shared with Joe Earley, according to company announcements and leadership memos obtained by Business Insider.
The structural shift follows a two-year tenure for Smith at Disney after a career spanning more than 20 years at Google, where he spent 13 years at YouTube as vice president of product management. In a memo to tech staffers, Disney Chief Creative Officer Dana Walden outlined the rationale behind the change, stating that having a single dedicated leader will sharpen focus and speed up decision-making and operations as the streaming division scales globally. Walden credited Smith with driving significant growth and improvement across Disney’s global streaming platforms, including revamping the leadership team and overseeing major updates to the Disney+ user interface and homepage since its launch.
Our streaming platforms are more dynamic and personalized, and the team is constantly testing and iterating features to continue to improve the product. We’re seeing the results too — greater engagement and retention globally.
Dana Walden, Business Insider
Leadership Transitions and Executive Roles at Disney Entertainment
As part of the broader leadership shake-up, Joe Earley will remain at Disney in a newly defined role. According to Walden’s memo, Earley moves to president of franchise and content strategy for Disney’s Entertainment TV business, reporting to Debra OConnell, who oversees the operation. Walden noted that Earley has been essential to the success of Disney+ since its inception, handling various roles across marketing, strategy, and programming.
In his new capacity, Smith will continue collaborating closely with film chief Alan Bergman and Walden, who serves as second-in-command to CEO Josh D’Amaro. In a separate memo to staffers, Smith stated that he remains focused on helping evolve Disney+ into the digital centerpiece of the company.
Strategic Focus on Personalization and Digital Growth
Disney’s leadership memos emphasize that product iteration and personalized user experiences remain central to the company’s digital strategy. Working alongside Jimmy Pitaro and his team, Smith previously assisted in launching ESPN’s direct-to-consumer service. Walden highlighted that ongoing testing and feature updates under Smith’s watch have directly contributed to higher global engagement and retention metrics across the media conglomerate’s streaming portfolio.