Powell exits Disney Oz to lead Euro Disney

The Walt Disney Company managing director for Australia and New Zealand Catherine Powell is to return to Europe to lead theme park Euro Disney.

Internationally, Powell is best known to international TV buyers as senior VP and general manager of Disney Media Distribution, though she gave up that role to move to Australasia in 2014 and was replaced by Mark Endemano.

She will now lead Paris’s Euro Disney as president , with current incumbent Tom Wolber returning to the US to take on operational responsibilities for Disney Cruise Line. This means she will lead the parent company of the Euro Disney theme park.

Before leading DMD in EMEA, Powell had served as SVP, sales for the UK, Ireland, Nordics, Benelux region and Israel, and before that held an executive director role. She has also worked for BBC Worldwide in television sales roles.

“Catherine has held a variety of senior leadership roles throughout the world for Disney, including in Australia and Europe, and has proven to be an exceptional leader who has the versatility and experience needed to lead the continued success of Disneyland Paris,” said Disney New Vacation Operations and Disney Cruise Line president Karl Holz.

She will begin the new post in July, working with Wolper through a transition period.

Her exit means Disney is now searching for a new chief in Australia and New Zealand.