According to two sources, key executives at Walt Disney’s ABC News have been fired off as part of a reorganization strategy to reduce expenses and streamline operations. The layoffs, which started this week, will eventually affect around 50 people’s employment (including unfilled ones). The layoffs are part of Disney’s overall strategy to eliminate 7,000 jobs. ABC News, Marvel Entertainment, TV production, and future narrative projects are all impacted.
ABC News President Kim Godwin announced the reorganization and layoffs in a memo seen by Reuters. Some of the senior executives who lost their jobs in the reorganization include Wendy Fisher, SVP of news gathering, Galen Gordon, SVP of talent, Alison Rudnick, VP of corporate communications, and David Herndon, exec dr, and LA bureau chief.
Vice President of Newsgathering Katie den Daas, formerly the London bureau chief, will now oversee both the domestic and international newsgathering teams. As executive vice president, Derek Medina oversees all of ABC News’ growing business and operations. Previously, he was responsible for talent, production, and business affairs. Stacia Deshishku has been named executive editor and senior vice president of News at the news organization.
Former London bureau head Katie den Daas is now the company’s vice president of newsgathering. She will be responsible for supervising reporters from both the United States and abroad in their reporting duties. Derek Medina is the man in charge of everything business and operational at the rapidly expanding ABC News. Before, he oversaw everything from casting to production to business operations. This news outlet has promoted Stacia Deshishku to the position of executive editor and senior vice president of News.
