MUMBAI: Walt Disney International president Andy Bird today announced the appointment of Stanley Cheung as the managing director of The Walt Disney Company (China).
In this capacity, Cheung will be responsible for driving the company's strategy, coordinating all of Disney's business efforts in China, including overseeing Disney's global brands in the market, expanding existing businesses and seeking out new business opportunities.
Cheung joins Disney from Johnson & Johnson (China) Limited, the consumer arm of J&J businesses in China, where he was in the capacity of managing director. While there, Cheung led J&J's business growth through product line extensions, new product introductions and distribution expansion.
With Cheung's appointment, Disney will now have its existing businesses in China managed locally, with all business segments reporting into Cheung, as well as their respective business units. Cheung will be based in Shanghai and will assume his new post on 1 January, 2005.
"We are thrilled to bring Stanley's expertise in introducing and growing consumer brands and products in China to Disney as we increase our presence throughout the country," said Bird. "China is of great strategic importance to Disney and Stanley's experience will be invaluable as the opportunities for our businesses in this market continue to expand and contribute to Disney's long-term growth."
From 1996-2001, Cheung worked for The Pillsbury Company out of Shanghai, serving in a series of positions of increasing responsibilities, culminating in the position of managing director, North Asia.
Prior to that, Cheung worked for the China Division of Pepsi-Cola International (PCI) in various positions. He began his career with Proctor & Gamble, gaining experience in both the finance and brand management arenas. He spent a total of more than nine years in Canada, Singapore, Hong Kong and China covering various positions.
Cheung holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from The Chinese University of Hong Kong and a Master of Business Administration from Indiana University in USA. He is fluent in English, Cantonese and Mandarin.
