"When you work at Disney, the name is a brand and there's an expectation to the consumer, and crossing the line is challenging. ... I have greater breadth in this role [at Shine]," says Ross, whose hobbies include collecting photography, traveling and The New York Times Sunday crossword puzzle. He was photographed Dec. 10 in his Hollywood office.
Christopher PateyRich Ross is moving on.
The longtime Disney executive is leaving his more recent home at Shine America amid a corporate restructuring that has Shine merging with Apollo Global Management’s Core Media and Endemol, according to an informed source. The leadership team of the newly formed 21st Century Fox entity includes former BSkyB head Sophie Turner Laing and Endemol’s Tim Hincks, who were recently appointed CEO and president, respectively. Ross’ departure comes nearly two months after Core chief Marc Graboff departed.
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Ross was hired in late 2012 to oversee the Shine Group in the U.S. His expanding portfolio includes Fox’s Gracepoint and FX’s recently canceled The Bridge, along with a growing cadre of unscripted series such as MasterChef, The Biggest Loser and The Face. The role reunited Ross with his former colleague and Shine Group chairman Elisabeth Murdoch, who is also set to depart once the deal is closed. Ross is reportedly eyeing his next gig at Discovery.
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Prior to Shine, Ross did a rocky two-and-a-half-year stint as the head of Disney’s film studio before making his return to the small screen. Before that, he served in top executive roles at the Disney Channel, where he was integral to the development of hugely lucrative franchises including High School Musical and Hannah Montana.
Shine America declined comment.
