Disney Taps Paul Roeder as Communications Chief Under Incoming CEO Josh D’Amaro
As Josh D’Amaro steps into the CEO role at Disney next week, he will have a new executive leading communications: 25-year company veteran Paul Roeder.
Roeder will become senior executive vice president and chief communications officer of the Walt Disney Co., effective March 19. That’s a day after D’Amaro, formerly head of Disney Experiences, is set to take the reins as CEO from Bob Iger.
Roeder most recently served as EVP of communications for Disney Entertainment Studios, Direct-to-Consumer and International, where he worked under Disney Entertainment co-chairs Alan Bergman and Dana Walden. Under the D’Amaro regime, Walden is taking on the new role of president and chief creative officer at Disney.
Roeder, in the new role, will report directly to D’Amaro. Roeder takes over the job with the exit of Kristina Schake, who has been Disney‘s chief communications officer under Iger.
Roeder will be responsible for leading Disney’s worldwide communications and PR strategy and operations and will serve as the Mouse House’s lead spokesperson. In addition to media relations, he will oversee executive communications, enterprise editorial strategy, internal communications and employee engagement, public affairs, and corporate social responsibility.
In announcing the appointment, Disney credited Roeder’s “deep company knowledge and expertise” as having been “pivotal in building strong reputation-management tactics at the corporate level.”
D’Amaro said in a statement, “Paul Roeder is an accomplished and highly respected executive with keen instincts and integrity, and he has built strong relationships in every area of the company and across the entertainment industry during his 25 years with Disney. He has a passion for Disney and a deep understanding of what it stands for, and I know he’ll do an outstanding job leading our exceptional Communications teams worldwide.”
Roeder commented: “Disney is a place I love dearly, and it is a tremendous honor to take on this role at such an exciting and pivotal time for the company. I have huge respect for Josh D’Amaro, Dana Walden, and the entire executive team — as well as my talented Communications colleagues — and I’m incredibly optimistic about what we’ll be able to accomplish together. I’m deeply grateful to Josh for this wonderful opportunity, to Alan Bergman for his mentorship and support over the 15 years I’ve served him at The Walt Disney Studios, and to Bob Iger for the encouragement and insight he has so generously offered throughout my career at Disney.”
As Disney Entertainment’s head of comms since 2023, Roeder oversaw global communications strategies for the Walt Disney Studios and its collection of production studios, including Disney, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar Animation Studios, Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm, 20th Century Studios, and Searchlight Pictures; Disney Theatrical Group; and Disney Music Group. He also led the communications teams for Disney Entertainment’s Direct-to-Consumer group as well as Disney Entertainment and ESPN’s Product and Technology, Platform Distribution, and International divisions, and the Walt Disney Company’s Office of Technology Enablement.
Prior to that, Roeder had led communications for the Walt Disney Studios since 2010, throughout the acquisitions and integrations of Lucasfilm and 21st Century Fox in 2012 and 2019, respectively. Blockbuster films released by the studios group during his tenure have included “Avatar: The Way of Water,” “Avengers: Endgame,” “Black Panther,” “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” “Frozen” and “Inside Out 2.”
Earlier at Disney, Roeder served in roles of increasing responsibility in corporate communications from 2002-2010, after joining the ABC communications team in 2001. He began his career in the entertainment industry serving in various roles at William Morris and later as an assistant to the executive producer on comedy tentpole “Meet the Parents.”
Roeder is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. He holds a bachelor’s degree in English from DePauw University.
Roeder will become senior executive vice president and chief communications officer of the Walt Disney Co., effective March 19. That’s a day after D’Amaro, formerly head of Disney Experiences, is set to take the reins as CEO from Bob Iger.
Roeder most recently served as EVP of communications for Disney Entertainment Studios, Direct-to-Consumer and International, where he worked under Disney Entertainment co-chairs Alan Bergman and Dana Walden. Under the D’Amaro regime, Walden is taking on the new role of president and chief creative officer at Disney.
Roeder, in the new role, will report directly to D’Amaro. Roeder takes over the job with the exit of Kristina Schake, who has been Disney‘s chief communications officer under Iger.
Roeder will be responsible for leading Disney’s worldwide communications and PR strategy and operations and will serve as the Mouse House’s lead spokesperson. In addition to media relations, he will oversee executive communications, enterprise editorial strategy, internal communications and employee engagement, public affairs, and corporate social responsibility.
In announcing the appointment, Disney credited Roeder’s “deep company knowledge and expertise” as having been “pivotal in building strong reputation-management tactics at the corporate level.”
D’Amaro said in a statement, “Paul Roeder is an accomplished and highly respected executive with keen instincts and integrity, and he has built strong relationships in every area of the company and across the entertainment industry during his 25 years with Disney. He has a passion for Disney and a deep understanding of what it stands for, and I know he’ll do an outstanding job leading our exceptional Communications teams worldwide.”
Roeder commented: “Disney is a place I love dearly, and it is a tremendous honor to take on this role at such an exciting and pivotal time for the company. I have huge respect for Josh D’Amaro, Dana Walden, and the entire executive team — as well as my talented Communications colleagues — and I’m incredibly optimistic about what we’ll be able to accomplish together. I’m deeply grateful to Josh for this wonderful opportunity, to Alan Bergman for his mentorship and support over the 15 years I’ve served him at The Walt Disney Studios, and to Bob Iger for the encouragement and insight he has so generously offered throughout my career at Disney.”
As Disney Entertainment’s head of comms since 2023, Roeder oversaw global communications strategies for the Walt Disney Studios and its collection of production studios, including Disney, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar Animation Studios, Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm, 20th Century Studios, and Searchlight Pictures; Disney Theatrical Group; and Disney Music Group. He also led the communications teams for Disney Entertainment’s Direct-to-Consumer group as well as Disney Entertainment and ESPN’s Product and Technology, Platform Distribution, and International divisions, and the Walt Disney Company’s Office of Technology Enablement.
Prior to that, Roeder had led communications for the Walt Disney Studios since 2010, throughout the acquisitions and integrations of Lucasfilm and 21st Century Fox in 2012 and 2019, respectively. Blockbuster films released by the studios group during his tenure have included “Avatar: The Way of Water,” “Avengers: Endgame,” “Black Panther,” “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” “Frozen” and “Inside Out 2.”
Earlier at Disney, Roeder served in roles of increasing responsibility in corporate communications from 2002-2010, after joining the ABC communications team in 2001. He began his career in the entertainment industry serving in various roles at William Morris and later as an assistant to the executive producer on comedy tentpole “Meet the Parents.”
Roeder is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. He holds a bachelor’s degree in English from DePauw University.