MUMBAI: US media conglomerate Disney president, CEO Robert A Iger has named George Bodenheimer as ESPN executive chairman. Also John Skipper is ESPN president, co-chair, Disney Media Networks, effective 1 January, 2012. The moves continue the company‘s focus on ensuring strategic continuity and succession planning.

Bodenheimer is currently ESPN, ABC Sports president and Disney Media Networks co-chair. He will relinquish his day-to-day operating responsibilities on 1 January 2012. As ESPN executive chairman Bodenheimer will continue to chair ESPN‘s board of directors, provide strategic direction and support a seamless transition to Skipper, who will assume day-to-day operating responsibilities on 1 January. Skipper has served as ESPN executive VP, content, since October 2005.

Bodenheimer will continue to report to Iger. Skipper will have a dual report to Iger and Bodenheimer.

Iger said, "George has said repeatedly that ESPN‘s success has been led by its collaborative corporate culture and a deep bench of executive talent. While that remains true, it obviously and intentionally downplays his leadership and many significant contributions. We‘ve focussed on succession at all levels of Disney for some time now, and consistent with that approach, George initiated conversations last spring that led to today‘s announcement.

"With George‘s continued presence, John‘s experience and vision and an executive management team and workforce that are unparalleled in the sports media business, ESPN is extremely well positioned for continued success."

Bodenheimer‘s 13 years as ESPN president have been marked by expansive growth domestically and internationally across every available metric and media platform.

Today, ESPN is comprised of eight US television networks, five HD services, a 3D TV network, 48 international networks, 13 international editions of SportsCenter, 18 web sites, 750 radio affiliates, the largest mobile sports operation and 7,000 employees worldwide. ESPN‘s Bristol, Conn., headquarters has increased to 116 acres, featuring a state-of-the-art digital production center with construction of a second facility underway.

Bodenheimer said, "I‘ve been with ESPN 31 years - my entire professional career. Constant change and consistent growth have marked each of those years, and to me those two themes underscore today‘s news. We‘ve demonstrated that change managed well is healthy - for companies and for people. After 13 years as President, I felt it was a good time to step away from the day to day management of ESPN and let others take the lead. I very much appreciate Bob‘s support over the years, and look forward to my future role with ESPN.

"We are in great shape on many fronts. The people of ESPN have made us the great company we are today. I am very proud of all that we have accomplished together, and excited about our future."

As executive VP, content, Skipper is responsible for the creation, programming and production of ESPN content across all media platforms, including television, radio, the Internet, broadband, wireless, interactive games and home entertainment. Under his leadership, ESPN has consistently set records for television ratings and digital consumption; negotiated several major rights agreements with the NFL, NBA, Major League Baseball, FIFA, the Masters Tournament, the British Open, the USTA, Wimbledon and several college conferences; and launched a variety of creative programming including the critically acclaimed ESPN Films sports documentary series.

Skipper joined ESPN in June 1997 as ESPN The Magazine senior VP, GM. Previously, he was The Disney Publishing Group senior VP, overseeing all of Disney‘s magazine, book and licensed publishing operations in the US.

Skipper said, "I am humbled and excited to be given the opportunity by Bob and George to lead this terrific company. George set a high bar and an impeccable example, and I will dedicate all of my energy to follow George‘s lead in both empowering and supporting my 7,000 ESPN colleagues who do such great work every day. I look forward to working alongside them in meeting the many challenges that lie ahead."

MUMBAI: Apple has named Arthur D Levinson as the company?s non-executive chairman of the board. Levinson, who has been a co-lead director of Apple?s board since 2005, has served on all three board committees- audit and finance, nominating and corporate governance, and compensation-and will continue to serve on the audit committee.

Apple also announced that Disney president, CEO Robert A Iger will join Apple?s board and will serve on the audit committee.

Apple CEO Tim Cook said, "Art has made enormous contributions to Apple since he joined the board in 2000. He has been our longest serving co-lead director, and his insight and leadership are incredibly valuable to Apple, our employees and our shareholders.

"Bob and I have gotten to know one another very well over the past few years and on behalf of the entire board, we think he is going to make an extraordinary addition to our already very strong board. His strategic vision for Disney is based on three fundamentals: generating the best creative content possible, fostering innovation and utilising the latest technology, and expanding into new markets around the world which makes him a great fit for Apple."

Levinson said, "I am honoured to be named chairman of Apple?s board and welcome Bob to our team. Apple is always focused on out-innovating itself through the delivery of truly innovative products that simplify and improve our lives, and that is something I am very proud to be a part of."

Iger said, "Apple has achieved unprecedented success by consistently creating high quality, truly innovative products, and I am extremely pleased to join the board of such a wonderful company. Over the years, I have come to know and admire the management team, now ably led by Tim Cook, and I am confident they have the leadership and vision to ensure Apple?s continued momentum and success."

MUMBAI: US media conglomerate Disney and UTH Russia have announced that the two companies will launch an ad-supported free-to-air Disney Channel in Russia early next year.

The broadly-distributed channel will appeal to families throughout Russia by featuring Disney?s popular signature programming, as well as original Russian content.

Disney president and CEO Robert A Iger said, "International expansion is a key strategic priority for our company and Disney Channel has proven to be invaluable in building the Disney brand around the world. We are excited about increasing Disney Channel?s presence in Russia and delivering exceptional family entertainment to this important growth market."

Under the terms of the agreement, Disney, through one of its subsidiaries, will acquire a 49 per cent stake in the Seven TV network from UTH Russia. The new Disney Channel will replace the current branding and programming of Seven TV.

Disney MD in Russia Marina Jigalova-Ozkan added, "Disney Channel became one of the most popular and beloved cable channels in Russia. We are very happy that together with such a reliable and respectful partner as UTH Disney will bring high-quality family entertainment to every family in Russia."

At launch, the channel will reach approximately 40 million households, which represents more than 75 per cent of the measured audience in Russia. Disney Channel will air on broadcast stations in 54 large urban markets, including Moscow and St. Petersburg, as well as hundreds of rural and remote cities and towns nationwide through other distribution agreements.

UTH Russia CEO Ivan Tavrin said, "We believe that our partnership with The Walt Disney Company, the global entertainment leader, will establish a popular and highly successful free-to-air business. The infrastructure and technical foundation of UTH in combination with Disney?s unique brand and global expertise will deliver excellent results for the Disney Channel in Russia. Seven TV?s transformation from sports to general entertainment in 2010 helped us to significantly improve its ratings and financial results, now it is time for a new page in the network?s history. I am confident about the success of the Disney Channel and our long term partnership with The Walt Disney Company."

Alisher Usmanov, a UTH shareholder and major Internet and media investor in Russia said, "We expect the family channel combining the best Disney programming with original Russian TV shows will be of great interest to the audience. We are excited that our partner, one of the world?s largest media companies, believes in the Russian market and our company."

Disney Channels Worldwide is comprised of 100 channels in 35 languages reaching 325 million unduplicated households globally.