Disney communications chief exits following “Florida fiascos”
Battered by the battle with Florida Governor and 2024 POTUS hopeful Ron DeSantis as well as internal dissent, Geoff Morrell, above, is out as Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at the House of Mouse, reports Deadline.
Morrell had recently joined Disney and, earlier in this career, was an ABC White House television correspondent for four years. In 2007, he resigned from ABC after seven years with the network to be appointed the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs under Presidents Bush and Obama.
Disney CEO Bob Chapek sent an internal memo announcing Morrell’s departure. “I am writing to share the news that Geoff Morrell, our Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, is leaving the company to pursue other opportunities,” the CEO said before moving on to naming the former Pentagon spokesperson’s successors.
Chapek sent the internal email stating that after three months in his new role, “it has become clear to me that for a number of reasons (Morrell) is not the right fit.”
“Splitting up Morrell’s role, Biden administration insider and recent Disney addition Kristina Schake will handle Disney communications efforts. Company General Counsel Horacio Gutierrez will take over Government Relations and Global Public Policy. Additionally, EVP Corporate Social Responsibility Jenny Cohen now will report directly to Chapek as Disney tries to figure out where it stands and to whom is it is donating,” adds Deadline.
Deadline described the Disney situation as “Florida fiascos.”
More here.
