LPWire: Disney Online Names Brad Davis Vice President of Advertising Sales

Disney Online Names Brad Davis Vice President of Advertising Sales
Sales Veteran Joins Top-Ranked Online Destination for Kids and Families

Disney Online, part of the Walt Disney Internet Group and the leader in kids and family online entertainment, has appointed Brad Davis to serve as vice president of its online advertising sales unit. A veteran of the advertising sales industry with previous positions at America Online (AOL) and Comcast Spotlight, Davis will provide strategic direction for the sales team and lead all media sales efforts for Disney Online, which includes Disney.com, FamilyFun.com and Movies.com.

"With leadership roles at major Internet and cable companies, Brad brings a great mix of experience and insight to our rapidly expanding online media business," said Ken Goldstein, executive vice president and managing director, Disney Online, to whom Davis reports. "Our audience continues to grow along with the online advertising market, and that combined with our unique access to parents makes this a wonderful time to add depth to our senior management team."

"It's an exciting time to be joining Disney Online, a recognized industry leader and innovator," stated Davis. "Clients are increasingly looking to online advertising for its unique creative solutions: an integrated environment, with powerful one-to-one marketing and retention tools. Disney Online and its affiliated sites offer rich media, video and highly targeted advertising opportunities -- all backed by a brand unlike any other."

Davis has more than 20 years of experience in advertising sales. Prior to joining Disney Online, Davis served as a director of sales at Comcast Spotlight, Washington, DC, the advertising sales division of Comcast Cable that serves more than 70 of the nation's largest DMAs. At Comcast, Davis was accountable for ad sales strategic development, tactical planning and implementation for the Washington, DC region.

Before joining Comcast Spotlight, Davis spent nearly a decade in online advertising with AOL, holding numerous management positions including vice president, sales & product training and vice president, local sales and marketing development. While at AOL, Davis supported key units such as Digital City, AOL Local including Mapquest and Moviefone, and AOL's Interactive Marketing.

Davis also held positions at National Cable Communications and several local broadcast affiliates. He has been active in industry organizations including IAB and iMedia, where he served on the Training Council.

Disney Online

Disney Online (www.disney.com) produces the number one kids' entertainment and family community destination on the World Wide Web. Launched in 1995, the Disney Online network is designed to reflect the vision of an "online theme park," providing an interactive gateway to all of the company's many Disney-branded internet initiatives. Popular Disney Online places to visit include Disney Channel (www.disneychannel.com), Playhouse Disney (www.playhousedisney.com), shopping at Disney Direct (www.disneydirect.com), Walt Disney Parks and Resorts (www.disneydestinations.com), Walt Disney Pictures (www.disneypictures.com), Disney DVD & Video (www.disneyvideos.com) and Radio Disney (www.radiodisney.com).

Among the many magical "neighborhoods" found at www.Disney.com are Disney's Toontown Online (www.toontown.com), the first 3D massively multiplayer online role playing game for kids and families, and Disney's Blast (www.disneyblast.com), a premium subscription service for kids ages 3-9. Disney Online also produces FamilyFun.com (www.familyfun.com), the premier online family resource for "great ideas, practical advice and fun stuff to do" as well as Movies.com (www.movies.com), a leading site that provides a broad array of reviews and information to help movie fans "get movie night right." Disney Online is a part of the Walt Disney Internet Group, which provides integrated strategic and operational services for Internet, broadband and mobile initiatives of The Walt Disney Company.

--Posted September 19, 2005
Source: Walt Disney Internet Group