The Walt Disney Co., has named long-time executive Robert Langer executive vice president and chief financial officer of Disney/ABC Television.
Langer will report to Disney Media Networks co-chair and Disney|ABC Television president Ben Sherwood. He replaces Peter Seymour, who, after 20 years with the company, announced plans to depart the group last November.
Langer will have financial leadership, strategy and business development oversight for the Disney|ABC portfolio, including the ABC Television Network, ABC Studios, ABC Owned Station Group, Disney Channel, Disney XD, Disney Junior, Disney|ABC Home Entertainment and Television Distribution, Radio Disney and Freeform. He will also help oversee Disney|ABC’s equity interests in A+E and Hulu.
“A superb financial manager and strategist with deep roots in The Walt Disney Company, Robert is a proven leader and problem solver who brings broad domestic business experience and deep knowledge of the international marketplace,” Sherwood said in a statement. “Robert is a strong addition to the Disney|ABC leadership team, and we are all delighted to welcome him back to Southern California.”
Langer most recently served as Disney’s country manager for Germany, Switzerland and Austria (GSA), responsible for all company operations in those regions. Under his watch, GSA was one of the fastest growing markets worldwide within Disney.
“I’ve long been impressed with the Disney|ABC business, and I’m thrilled to be given this new opportunity and excited about the prospects,” Langer said in a statement. “I look forward to not only working with the talented financial, strategy and business development teams, but also collaborating with colleagues across the group’s channels and brands to grow and evolve our businesses.”
Langer joined Disney in 1999 as director, Business Development, Global Licensing. In 2007 he was appointed chief financial officer for the global Disney Consumer Products (DCP) division, responsible for finance, accounting and business development functions and overseeing the division’s information technology function. He was appointed general manager for DCP EMEA in 2009, responsible for DCP’s merchandise, publishing and The Disney Store’s business in Europe. Previous positions within Disney include roles at Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, where he served as chief financial officer, Disneyland Resort and chief financial officer, Global Segment Operations.
Before coming to Disney, he worked at The Boston Consulting Group and ART Concerts Company, located in Munich, Germany.
