The Walt Disney Company promoted one of its studio heads to a much more prominent position. Alan Bergman, President of Walt Disney Studios since 2005, is now co-chairman of Disney's entertainment division.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Bergman will serve as chairman side-by-side with Alan Horn, who has held his post since 2012. Jointly, they will oversee operations in film, theater and music as well as the business side relating to global marketing, distribution, communications and human resources.
Walt Disney CEO Bob Iger issued a statement saying he is happy with the decision. "Seven years ago, I had the good fortune of hiring Alan Horn as chairman of our studios, and since then, our studio entertainment group has delivered creative excellence and tremendous box office success," he said in a statement.
Iger also noted Bergman's leadership as a key factor in Disney's current success and calls the "new co-chair structure" formal recognition of the "powerful partnership" that brought the company to this point.
Horn and Bergman should make a formidable duo. Bergman led the integration of Marvel and Pixar when they were purchased by Disney and is a major player in the $71.3 billion acquisition of 21st Century Fox. Both oversaw the transition of Lucasfilm to the Disney banner and led the studio across the $7 billion mark at the box office multiple times in the last couple of years.
"The Walt Disney Studios team is the best in the business, and I’ve been inspired to do my best every day because of the extraordinary group of people I’m fortunate enough to work with," Bergman said. "I’m so proud of what we’ve accomplished together, and it’s a great honor to be asked to serve as co-chairman alongside Alan as we look forward to the years ahead."