Jane Gould to Lead Disney Content Research, Scheduling (Exclusive)

Disney’s executive restructuring continues.

Jane Gould has been promoted to exec vp content research, insights and scheduling at Disney General Entertainment. In her new role, which was announced Friday via internal memo (read it in full below) and in a release Monday afternoon, Gould will lead a centralized team to support Disney General Entertainment’s analytics and marketplace insights.

Reporting to Trisha Husson, Gould’s DGE Content Research, Insights and Scheduling team will work across DGE’s content and marketing teams at Hulu, ABC Entertainment, ABC News, Disney Branded Television, FX, Freeform and National Geographic. Gould’s group will conduct show testing and deliver audience and content insights that inform content, marketing and brand strategies. Her team will also have oversight with scheduling strategy for ABC Entertainment’s original programming on the broadcast network, as well as first-run acquired content for Gary Marsh‘s Disney Branded Television division.

Gould’s new role is the latest move as part of the executive reorg that began last year as Disney shifts from its longtime legacy structure in favor of centralized groups focused on content. It’s worth noting that ABC’s longtime exec vp scheduling Andy Kubitz was among the execs who were pushed out in December as a result of the more than 100 layoffs that resulted from the restructuring. Gould’s role includes duties that Kubitz previously oversaw and more.

“Jane’s unparalleled range of experience and depth of expertise are critical to bringing together these functional teams whose insights and guidance will ensure our stories and marketing campaigns reach and resonate deeply and authentically with our audiences,” said Husson. “She leads an exceptional group of individuals who will work hand in hand with our content leaders and partners across the company to ensure we are delivering the most compelling content to our viewers.”

Gould most recently served as senior vp consumer insights and programming strategy at Disney Channel, where she oversaw networks including Disney Channel, Disney XD and Disney Junior.

“It’s been very exciting to be a part of the evolution of the entertainment and media industry over the years,” said Gould. “I’m grateful to work with such an incredible and experienced team. It is an honor and thrill to come together and share insights on the impact of content and culture that will help shape the future of culture-defining stories.”

Here’s Husson’s memo to staff regarding Gould’s new role:

Hello everyone,

I’d like to share some good news about our Content Research, Insights & Scheduling team, starting with the announcement that Jane Gould has been promoted to Executive Vice President overseeing the team.

With the restructure at TWDC announced last Fall, Disney General Entertainment Content is wholly focused on content creation and providing premium content to millions of viewers globally across our company’s linear and streaming platforms. The role of insights is integral to ensuring our stories, brands and franchises reach and resonate deeply and authentically with our audiences. In her new role, Jane will lead a centralized team, working hand-in-hand with our world-class content leaders, to maximize our impact and deepen the connection to our audiences.

Under Jane’s leadership, the DGE Content Research, Insights & Scheduling team will work across our brands including Hulu Originals, ABC Entertainment, ABC News, Disney Branded Television, FX, Freeform, and Nat Geo. The team will be responsible for:

Conducting show testing and delivering targeted audience and content insights that inform and enrich our content, marketing and brand strategy

Providing competitive programming landscape analyses as well as thought leadership on cultural, behavioral and attitudinal dynamics among today’s viewers

Scheduling strategy for ABC Entertainment’s original programming on the broadcast network

Supporting the strategy and delivery of DGE first-run programming, working in close partnership with DMED on launch plans

First-run acquired kids content for Disney Branded Television

The following leaders will report directly to Jane:

Julie Piepenkotter will work to establish DGE’s standard of data-driven analytics to support DGE stakeholders in making informed decisions to create exceptional content. Julie will also continue to lead FX’s content research team, providing FX programming, development and marketing leaders with content insights, program testing, social/cultural research, and comprehensive multi-platform performance analytics on all FX series. Mark Ahn and Dan Butt will continue reporting into Julie.

Irene Lane will lead Content Insights across Hulu Originals, ABC Entertainment, ABC News, Disney Branded Television, Freeform and Nat Geo. Irene’s team members will be embedded within their respective brand teams, in order to efficiently provide pilot testing, audience and content insights specific to show, brand, and marketing campaigns for launch plans and season pick-ups. Jen Bergeron (ABC Entertainment, 20th Television, ABC Signature, Freeform), Monica Giunco (ABC News), Lisa Dracolakis (Disney Branded Television), and Dawn Brosnan (Nat Geo) will report to Irene.

Cathy Gallant will lead Culture, Landscape, and Content Performance Analytics across Hulu Originals, ABC Entertainment, ABC News, Disney Branded Television, Freeform and Nat Geo. Cathy’s team will provide proactive, big picture audience insights, track overall brand and franchise impact and assess culture and trends including audience micro culturalism, mind & mood, diversity, equity and inclusion. Cathy’s team will also serve as the DGE hub for our content leaders looking for deeper dives into series performance analytics and audience behavior trends related to their shows and brands. Andrea Tai and Gretchen Betzholtz will report to Cathy.

Whitney Holland will lead the ABC Scheduling team responsible for optimizing the launch strategy for ABC Entertainment’s original programming, and executing on the holistic scheduling of the ABC Network for long-term impact and success. Candace Bejune and Rick Jones will report to Whitney.

Rick Clodfelter will lead the Disney Branded Television Acquisitions, including first-run kids acquisitions. Carrie Murphy will report to Rick.

Jane previously served as the Senior Vice President, Consumer Insights and Programming Strategy, Disney Channels. In this role, she oversaw all of consumer insights, research and analytic functions across Disney Channel, Disney XD, and Disney Jr network, helping to advance the understanding of and engagement with consumers across all distribution platforms. She also led the planning, scheduling, acquisitions and co-production teams in the U.S., overseeing all televised programming across the multiplatform kids’ TV brands.

Please join me in warmly congratulating Jane on this new role!

Trisha