I’m quite familiar with Sean Cocchia. He’s been one of the driving forces behind the Disney Channel for the past few years, and now it looks like he’s going to be taking over Radio Disney. This should be interesting. I’m not familiar with David Cobb, but it looks like he will have a major role in current and future “save my show” movements…
Official Disney Press Release Follows:
KEY EXECUTIVES SEAN COCCHIA AND DAVID COBB
PROMOTED AT DISNEY CHANNELS WORLDWIDEDisney Channels Worldwide has promoted two key executives into new roles — Sean Cocchia has been named Senior Vice President and General Manager, Radio Disney, and David Cobb has been named Vice President, Business Planning and Strategy, Disney Channels Worldwide. The announcement was made today by Carolina Lightcap, President, Disney Channels Worldwide, to whom they each will report. David Cobb will also have a reporting line into Jewell Engstrom, Chief Financial Officer, Disney ABC Networks Group.
At Radio Disney, Cocchia succeeds Michael Riley, who was recently named President, ABC Family. Cobb succeeds Cocchia in the Business Planning and Strategy role.
In making the announcement, Lightcap said, “These promotions come at a time of dynamic expansion and innovation for our portfolio, and especially as Radio Disney rises to meet the needs of its growing audience of kids, tweens and families.” She continued, “They also reflect Disney’s commitment to identifying and cultivating leaders within the organization and to consistently providing exciting and challenging career opportunities for our team. Sean brings strategic acumen, extensive knowledge of our business and leadership skills to his new role, and David is a proven strategic thinker whose intrinsic business planning expertise will serve us well as we continue to grow domestically and internationally.”
Cocchia has been an executive with Disney since 1998 and was most recently Senior Vice President, Business Planning and Development, Disney Channels Worldwide. His new responsibilities will include strategic management of the national Radio Disney network which is available on over 35 terrestrial radio stations and via RadioDisney.com, Sirius and XM satellite radio, iTunes Radio Tuner, mobile phones and on the Radio Disney iPhone App. Radio Disney’s programming, distribution and marketing departments will report to him. Cocchia’s role continues to include guiding strategic digital media extensions to optimize assets in the portfolio of Disney Channels Worldwide across digital platforms, working closely with the team led by Albert Cheng, Executive Vice President, Digital Media, Disney/ABC Television Group.
In 2008, Cocchia was named Senior Vice President, Business Planning and Development, Disney Channels Worldwide. He was previously Vice President, Business Development (2005-08) and Executive Director, Business Management (2004-05) for Disney Channel U.S. Cocchia joined Disney in July 1998 as a Senior Analyst in its Strategic Planning area. He previously served as an investment banking analyst with Credit Suisse First Boston’s Media and Telecommunications Group. Cocchia graduated magna cum laude from the University of Notre Dame with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Finance.
Cobb has been with Disney since 1996, and for the past year has been Director, Business Planning and Development, Disney Channels Worldwide. He will be responsible for strategic oversight and business planning, including growth strategies for Disney Channels Worldwide. Cobb has a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Architecture from University of Tennessee, Knoxville and a Bachelor of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Tennessee Technological University.
Disney Channels Worldwide is a portfolio of 95 kid-driven, family inclusive entertainment channels and/or channel feeds available in 169 countries in 34 languages, spanning Disney Channel, Disney XD, Playhouse Disney (soon to be re-branded Disney Junior), Disney Cinemagic, Hungama and Radio Disney brands. Through cable, satellite and digital terrestrial television channels and a strategic partnership with Disney-ABC-ESPN Television for the third-party distribution of Disney-branded kids’ programming across the globe, Disney Channels Worldwide reaches hundreds of millions of viewers. Disney Channel properties continue to rapidly expand into new markets across the world, playing a key role in introducing the Disney brand to new consumers.