Disney/ABC Head Of Affiliate Relations John Rouse To Retire After 33 Years
deadline.comEXCLUSIVE: John Rouse, who has been with The Walt Disney Company for the past 33 years, most recently as EVP of Affiliate Relations for the ABC Television Network, is stepping down at the end of July.
Rouse announced his upcoming retirement Wednesday in a note to ABC affiliates and station group heads. The position, which reports to Justin Connolly, President, Disney Platform Distribution, will be refilled.
Twenty-seven of Rouse’s 33 years with Disney have been spent at ABC. As EVP of Affiliate Relations for the network and its territories, including Station Relations Affiliate Operations, Rouse has been responsible for setting ABC’s network distribution strategy, negotiating broadcast affiliation agreements and achieving distribution revenue goals amid an evolution of the broadcast business.
He also has been behind efforts to maximize the exposure and local viewership of ABC Entertainment, ABC News, “ESPN on ABC” and ABC’s digital distribution initiatives through 200+ television stations.
Read more on deadline.com
