Asad Ayaz Named Disney’s First-Ever Chief Marketing & Brand Officer

The Walt Disney Company has never had a Chief Marketing Officer — until now. Asad Ayaz, the studio’s Chief Brand Officer and 20-year veteran, is being named to the newly created role of Chief Marketing and Brand Officer and will now oversee marketing and brands for Disney Entertainment, Disney Experiences and ESPN.

Essentially, Disney is creating a new enterprise marketing and brand organization, one that enables the conglom to connect with its global consumers, with Ayaz at the helm. Back in 2023, the studio marketing boss was named Disney’s first Chief Brand Officer, adding to his oversee of marketing at the motion picture studio and Disney+. In that role, Ayaz supervised companywide brand efforts and alliances that elevated Disney brands and franchises around the world. Ayaz’s role last expanded to President of Marketing for Disney Entertainment.

Today’s news was announced in a companywide joint email from Disney Entertainment Co-Chairs Alan Bergman and Dana Walden, Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro, and ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro. News of Ayaz’s promotion comes ahead of Disney’s pending announcement of a new CEO to succeed Bob Iger.  

As Disney’s marketing boss, Ayaz’s campaigns since 2018 have driven 18 movies across the $1 billion global box office mark. His leadership also spanned work across Disney+’s top-performing series, the Disney100 global brand campaign, the international expansion of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club, and the creative campaign for Disneyland Resort’s 70th anniversary.

“Over more than two decades at the company – and as Disney’s first-ever Chief Brand Officer – Asad has helped bring the magic of Disney to life for millions through his exceptional leadership,” said Iger in a statement. “As our businesses have evolved, it’s clear that we need a companywide role that ensures brand consistency and allows consumers today to seamlessly interact with our wonderful products and experiences. The Chief Marketing and Brand Officer role is critical for this moment, and Asad is the perfect fit.”

“Asad is an exceptional creative leader with strong strategic and operational prowess and deep experience across Disney and its brands, and we are excited for what we will accomplish together as we strengthen the connection between Disney and audiences around the world,” said Bergman, Walden, D’Amaro and Pitaro in a joint statement.