Chairman of Disney Music Group Announces Retirement

Bob Cavallo, chairman of the Disney Music Group, announced that he will retire on January 31, 2012. The executive spent more than 13 years with The Walt Disney Studios, overseeing the music arm's roster which included successes by the likes of Jonas Brothers, Selena Gomez, Grace Potter, Breaking Benjamin, Miley Cyrus and Plain White T’s.

“Bob Cavallo is nothing less than a legend in the music industry,” said Rich Ross, chairman of The Walt Disney Studios. “He has been a mentor and friend not only to those of us who have had the privilege of working with him here at Disney, but to the many artists he’s helped nurture and grow throughout his career.”

During his Disney tenure, Cavallo oversaw the successful reorganization of the company’s recorded music, music publishing and concert operations into one centralized business entity, the Disney Music Group, which today distributes original music and motion picture soundtracks under the Walt Disney Records and Hollywood Records labels.

Cavallo began his career as a nightclub owner and event producer before becoming a music manager. He had a hand in furthering the careers of Earth Wind and Fire, Prince, Seal, Green Day, Weezer, the Goo Goo Dolls and Alanis Morissette.

“My time at Disney has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life, and I’m so proud of where the music group has evolved to today,” said Cavallo. “This is an incredible team of music-industry professionals, and I know I’m leaving it in the best hands.”

In advance of the news, Ken Bunt has been promoted to executive vice president and will run Disney Music Group upon Cavallo's retirement. Bunt, who was most recently senior vice president of marketing, got his start at Rick Rubin’s Def American Recordings, where he worked with acts like The Black Crowes and Johnny Cash. He joined Disney Music Group in 1998 helping to lead the company’s digital media strategy.