Another Day, Another Leader Exits the Walt Disney Company

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side by side of Heather Hust Rivera and Walt Disney Company building with Walt and Mickey Statue

Images Credit: Variety (left), Disney (right)

In a recent flurry of exits from major leadership players at the Walt Disney Company, it looks like another person has been added to the tally.

Heather Hust Rivera. senior vice president of communications at Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution (DMED) is leaving the company after 17 years of service.

Walt Disney Company Water Tower
Credit: Disney

In an exclusive with Variety, Hust Rivera had said in a statement:

“I’m grateful for the incredible opportunities I have had in the past 17 years at Disney, working across multiple businesses with some of the industry’s hardest working, most talented, and amazingly creative people. I wish the team nothing but the best, and look forward to what the next chapter holds.”

Disney officials presenting Disney plus
Credit: Disney

Related: Kareem Daniel Leaves Disney Amidst Return of CEO Bob Iger

However, for those who have been following the chain of leadership exits from Disney lately, this may not come as a surprise, as Kareem Daniel, who was the chairman of DMED, left the company in November. Additionally, in the realm of communications, former CEO Bob Chapek’s speechwriter and vice president of strategic communications Arthur Bochner left shortly after.

Bob Chapek, Kareem Daniel, and Arthur Bochner
Images Credit: Disney (left and middle); Arthur Bochner on LinkedIn (right)

Related: Top Disney Executive Gunned For Chapek’s Termination

This sudden exit seems to be part of current Disney CEO Bob Iger’s plan to restructure the company. When Chapek was still CEO, he had placed a heavy focus on DMED and Disney’s streaming business. However, Iger emphasized in a recent memo to Disney employees that more changes would occur in the DMED segment in future days, and several industry insiders are thinking that the group will be disbanded as well, though it’s purely speculation at this point.

Iger interviewed by ABC
Credit: ABC News

Heather Hust Rivera was named senior vice president of communications in March 2021. According to Variety, this is what Hust Rivera was responsible for in her role:

She oversaw global communications for all of DMED, which included Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+, and Star+ as well as linear television channels including ABC, Disney Channel, ESPN, Freeform, FX, and National Geographic. Her purview also included comms for ABC owned-stations, advertising sales, Disney Music Group, content licensing and distribution, and theatrical film distribution.

walt disney company headquarters sign
Credit: Disney

Before Hust Rivera joined Disney, she worked at the United Nations Mission to the United Nations. When she first worked at Disney, she held different publicity roles within the Parks and Resorts teams. Then, she led Disney teams, including video, social media, and web, for corporate functions. Additionally, she served as vice president of communications and public relations for Disney’s consumer products, games, and publishing sector before landing her most current title at Disney.

What do you think of Bob Iger’s new restructuring within Disney leadership? Do you think this will help or hurt the company in the long run? Share your thoughts below!

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