Disney announces new Asia president

The Walt Disney Company (TWDC) has announced the promotion of Paul Candland to the newly created position of president of its Asian operations.

Candland has been with the company for 16 years and was previously the president of Walt Disney Japan. According to a press release, Candland will now "will be responsible for driving the company’s strategy and coordinating all of its business efforts in Asia".

The company also announced it has promoted Stanley Cheung, managing director of TWDC Greater China, to chairman of TWDC Greater China.

Both Candland and Cheung will be reporting to Andy Bird, chairman of Walt Disney International.

"Asia is a region of incredible growth and great promise for Disney, and these management changes are designed to ensure we maximise our opportunities there today and in the future," Robert A. Iger, chairman and chief executive of TWDC, said.

"This new structure will bring greater focus and the ability to share best practices across businesses and countries as we grow strategically in Asian markets."

Candland has worked his way up the ladder at TWDC, starting as the representative director and general manager of the Disney Store Japan in 1998. Meanwhile, Cheung joined TWDC in 2004 as the managing director of TWDC China from Johnson & Johnson (China), where he served as managing director.

Luke Kang, who is currently the senior vice president, will assume Cheung role as managing director of TWDC Greater China, reporting to both Cheung and Candland.

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