Longtime Disney Brand Manager Zenia Mucha Steps Down
For over two decades, Walt Disney Co. Senior Executive Vice President Zenia Mucha protected the Disney brand across all of their businesses. Yesterday though, Mucha announced that she would be leaving the Disney company in early 2022. She chose not renew her contract.
Image Credit: Morse/Disney Parks, Experiences and Products
Mucha holds a wealth of responsiblities within the Walt Disney Co. Aside from protecting the brand itself, she also serves at chief communications officer. She oversees the bulk of Disney’s environmental projects, philanthropic work, and the enormous global media relations team.
Mucha also created the incredibly popular Disney fan club D23, which currently has one million members. The Walt Disney Archives also fall under her umbrella.
Image Credit: The Walt Disney Company
“After a long career in roles that have required a 24/7 commitment, what I want most these days is the freedom to focus on other priorities — all the things I always wanted to do with family and friends but simply never had time for,” Mucha said in an internal statement cited by The New York Times yesterday. Mucha joined the Walt Disney Company in 2002, the last year of CEO Michael Eisner’s time in the role.
Image Credit: @zeniamucha/Twitter
Mucha often found herself a needed and incredibly strong voice within the company. People “variously described during her career in politics and at Disney as “warrior princess,” “razor-sharp and acid-tongued,” “mother crocodile” and “director of revenge” — [she] has influence at Disney that extends far beyond her official duties,” according to a New York Times article.
Image Credit: Ukraine Institute NYC
“It is her passion and tenacity that sets her apart,” said Walt Disney Co. Chairman Bob Iger in a statement published by PR Week. Iger, who already left his role as CEO, prepares to step down from his leadership position later this year. “She is a person of great integrity. I particularly appreciate her instincts and her candor. She also brings an energy and a commitment to her job every day – and by every day, I mean seven days a week.”
Image Credit: The Walt Disney Company
General Counsel Alan Braverman also announced that he would step down from the company at the end of the year, leaving a number of leadership positions in transition for new Chief Executive Officer Bob Chapek.
Feature Image Credit: Walt Disney Company
