Disney Names YouTube’s Adam Smith Chief Product and Technology Officer for Entertainment Operations and ESPN
variety.comJennifer Maas TV Business Writer Disney has appointed Google and YouTube vet Adam Smith chief product and technology officer for Disney Entertainment and ESPN.
Smith takes over the position following the June exit of Aaron LaBerge, who shifted to CTO and head of online-sports-betting company Penn Entertainment, which last year struck a major deal with ESPN to rebrand Penn’s business from Barstool Sportsbook to ESPN Bet.
The high-profile hire is a sign that Disney is increasingly looking to streaming operations as its future. Smith begins his new role Sept.
3, reporting to Disney Entertainment co-chairmen Alan Bergman and Dana Walden and ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro. Heading up the division, Smith will be lead on driving technology strategy, development, deployment, and innovation across the company’s media units, including streaming platforms; networks;digital offerings for ABC, ABC News, Disney, ESPN, Marvel, Nat Geo and more; advertising technology; visual and production technologies; and emerging technologies, among other responsibilities.
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