• by Wayne Friedman , April 5, 2023

As Walt Disney continues its senior executive restructuring under the return of Bob Iger as chief executive officer, Joe Earley has been named president, direct-to-consumer (D2C) of Disney Entertainment, effective immediately.

Earley had been president of Hulu, and will now head up all Disney Entertainment’s streaming efforts including Disney+ and Hulu, reporting to Alan Bergman and Dana Walden, co-chairmen, Disney Entertainment.

Earley replaces Michael Paull, who is departing Disney after six years, and will continue to also lead Hulu until a replacement is found.

Earley came to Disney in January 2019 to oversee Disney+ marketing and operations. He was named president of Hulu in January 2022.

Previously, he worked at Fox Corp. for over 20 years rising to chief operating officer for Fox Television Group. He oversaw marketing and communications, digital, research, talent relations, scheduling and audience strategy at Fox Broadcasting Company.

He also worked with 20th Century Fox Television on development, production, business affairs, in addition to overseeing its publicity and talent relations.

In November 2022, Disney announced that Bob Iger would be returning as chief executive officer for a period of two years. Iger replaced outgoing CEO Bob Chapek, who had been on the job for only two years.

Since his return, Iger has presided over a massive shakeup at the company, including making senior-level staffing changes as well as instituting significant layoffs, around 7,000, across the company which started this week.

Recently, Disney laid off Ike Perlmutter, chairman of Marvel Entertainment, who supported activist shareholder Nelson Peltz's unsuccessful bid this year to obtain a seat on Disney's corporate board.