Ex-Disney digital chief joins Amazon Studios

Amazon Studios has named former Disney/ABC Television Group digital chief Albert Cheng COO, and drafted in Bob Berney to handle its push into movie distribution.

Cheng led Disney/ABC’s digital efforts, including its stake in on-demand platform Hulu, as executive VP and chief product officer before leaving last month.

Cheng’s departure from The Walt Disney Company has been followed this week by chief financial officer Jay Rasulo, who is leaving the Mouse House after being passed over for the group COO job earlier this year.

At Amazon’s production studio, Cheng will oversee all business operations and software development.

Furthermore, veteran film exec Berney has joined the company as head of movies distribution and marketing, overseeing all Amazon Original Movies.

Amazon Studios recently followed SVOD rival Netflix into feature film, as the medium slowly comes around to over-the-top distribution avenues.

He joins from indie film company Picturehouse, where he was CEO.