Former Disney Exec Kareem Daniel Joins Simon & Schuster
When Bob Iger returned to the Walt Disney Company in November 2022, the prodigal CEO’s first move was to dismiss Bob Chapek’s acolyte, Kareem Daniel.
Daniel had risen through the Disney ranks for a decade. However, his career progressed at break-neck speed when Chapek became Disney’s new CEO in 2020.
Kareem Daniel. Photo: Facebook/Tuskagee University
Daniel was tapped to run consumer products at the time, a role he held for five months. Then, the promising executive was catapulted over some of his more experienced peers and given the helm of the newly created Disney Media and Entertainment Distribution division (DMED).
The Chapek-inspired division was charged with spending $30 billion a year in programming, deciding release strategies for Disney’s movies and TV shows, and determining whether the content would fit better on streaming, cable, or in theaters.
Iger Ousted Daniel
As quickly as Daniel rose through the ranks, however, his fall was just as swift.
Bob Iger ousted Daniel. Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
When Iger returned to Disney, his first act was to announce that he was reviewing Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution and show Daniel the door.
The demise of DMED was cheered on by Disney insiders, who saw the division as indicative of Chapek’s preference for money men as opposed to creatives. Ultimately, the perception that Daniel was Chapek’s loyalist likely led to his exit.
Former Disney CEO Bob Chapek. Photo: CNBC
“Kareem’s crime was that he was close to Chapek and that he helped design and led an organizational construct that was hated by the creatives,” one former Disney executive said.
Joining Simon & Schuster
Nearly a year after his time at Disney came to a crashing end, Kareem Daniel has landed on his feet.
The former Walt Disney Company executive will now join the publisher Simon & Schuster board.
According to Jonathan Karp, the chief executive of Simon & Schuster, Daniel will help maximize the publishing company’s intellectual property.
While his Disney career did not work out, it’s good to see Kareem Daniel land on his feet and start a new journey.
