{
  "id": 8263652,
  "title": "Here's what top Disney execs told employees about its major streaming leadership shake-up",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/heres-what-top-disney-execs-told-employees-about-its-major-streaming",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-18T14:37:26.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Business Insider",
    "slug": "business-insider",
    "url": "https://www.businessinsider.com/read-memo-disney-streaming-leadership-changes-adam-smith-dana-walden-2026-9"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Disney announced a major leadership shake-up earlier this week, with creative chief Dana Walden and new DTC chairman Adam Smith sending memos to employees detailing the changes. Adam Smith, the product and tech chief, was promoted to head of Disney's direct-to-consumer business, taking over from Joe Earley, who will now become president of Disney Entertainment Television Franchise and Content Strategy. Smith joined Disney two years ago from Google, where he had spent over 20 years, including 13 at YouTube. Walden credited Smith with driving significant growth and improvement to Disney's global streaming platforms, including user interface enhancements. Smith expressed his focus on evolving Disney+ into the digital centerpiece of the company. However, some employees have expressed their disappointment at Smith's promotion and Earley's departure.",
  "summary": "Disney creative chief Dana Walden and streaming head Adam Smith addressed employees after major leadership changes to the direct-to-consumer business.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}