Disney Entertainment Chief Technology Officer Aaron LaBerge is Leaving the Company
Aaron LaBerge, the chief technology officer for Disney Entertainment and ESPN, is leaving The Walt Disney Company.
Laberge was a key figure in developing Disney’s streaming services. Recently, he worked on the initiative to integrate advertising into Disney+. He also led the effort to combine the libraries of Hulu and Disney+ into a “one-app” experience. The updated app debuted last month.
At ESPN, LaBerge was heavily involved in the operation of ESPN+ and had been working on Disney’s new sports-centric streaming joint venture with Fox and Warner Bros. Discovery.
Laberge Is Joining PENN Entertainment
Interestingly, LaBerge is leaving Disney to take a job as Chief Technology Officer at PENN Entertainment, which operates ESPN Bet. There, he will be tasked with driving PENN’s technology strategy. He will be the top executive in the company’s interactive division. According to an internal memo, LaBerge is leaving for personal reasons related to his family.
“We want to thank Aaron for the contributions he has made and the leadership he has provided at Disney over his 20 years,” said ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro and Disney Entertainment co-chairmen Dana Walden and Alan Bergman in an internal note to employees.
“It is a silver lining that he will continue to help Disney and ESPN win as he transitions to a role at PENN Entertainment — where he will be a key partner in the continued growth and success of ESPN BET (and the rest of their Interactive business).”
LaBerge originally joined Disney in the late 1990s as part of the company’s takeover of Starwave. He will stay on until June.
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