Disney Studio Chairman Alan Horn Tells Fox Staff to Prepare for ‘Quite a Bit of Change’

Disney closed its $71.3 billion acquisition of Fox’s film and TV entertainment assets on Wednesday

Walt Disney Studios chairman Alan Horn and president Alan Bergman sent an email to Fox staff on Thursday asking for patience as the company begins its new journey following the multibillion acquisition of Fox’s film and TV assets. Horn and Bergman said they plan to make announcements soon regarding the company’s leadership structure, but that it will take some time to reach a fully integrated state.

“Although there is much to look forward to, we know this integration will entail quite a bit of change across our organizations,” Horn and Bergman wrote in the memo. “We want to acknowledge that and assure you we are committed to engaging in this process thoughtfully and communicating changes as we are able. “Day-to-day, our top priorities remain the same: to support the great content we’re creating and deliver a superb experience to our consumers, and to continue to build an inspiring, inclusive environment where employees can bring their best to work every day,” they continued.

On Wednesday, Disney closed its $71.3 billion acquisition of Fox’s film and TV entertainment assets. Now starts the arduous process of merging the two giant companies, which is expected to result in massive layoffs. The company has already set some of its senior leadership under the new structure, announcing in October that Emma Watts will make the move to Disney’s studio entertainment management team, reporting directly to Horn as vice chairman for Twentieth Century Fox Film and president of production at Fox. Disney also said that Nancy Utley and Stephen Gilula will stay on as co-chairmen for Fox Searchlight and will also report directly to Horn, along with Elizabeth Gabler, who will serve as president of production at Fox 2000.

https://www.thewrap.com/disney-studio-chairman-alan-horn-tells-fox-staff-to-prepare-for-quite-a-bit-of-change/