Disney names Carol Choi Asia-Pacific president as Luke Kang retires
In short
The Walt Disney Company said on 20 October that Carol Choi, its Asia-Pacific head of media marketing and local content, will become Asia-Pacific president on 1 December. She succeeds Luke Kang, who is retiring after 16 years with the company.
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The Walt Disney Company said on 20 October that Carol Choi, its Asia-Pacific (APAC) head of media marketing and local content (EVP), will become president of the Asia-Pacific region on 1 December. The move follows the decision of Luke Kang, the current APAC president, to retire after 16 years with the company. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
Choi will oversee Disney's entertainment portfolio in the region, including studio, Disney+, local original content production, consumer products, media networks and content sales. The region covers Korea, Greater China, Japan, Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
Choi has worked at Disney for 20 years. She has headed Disney Japan and Disney Korea and held major leadership roles in Greater China. Most recently she handled the APAC studio business, original content strategy and integrated marketing, and she took part in the launch and growth of Disney+ in the region. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
Alan Bergman, chairman of Disney Entertainment studios, and Jimmy Pitaro, ESPN chairman, called Choi a proven Disney leader with broad operating experience, a strong creative sense and a deep understanding of the region. Yonhap and Asia Economy quoted them as saying she is the best person to lead the next chapter for Asia-Pacific. Choi said she looked forward to delivering strong stories and experiences with employees and partners, growing the business and strengthening Disney's bond with fans in the region. [ 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 ]
Kang joined Disney Korea as its head in 2011 and then ran the Greater China and North Asia businesses before becoming APAC president. ZDNet Korea reported that he led the launch of new services including Disney+ and investment in local content, and that Disney credited him with helping expand regional businesses. Yonhap said he had been APAC president since 2020. ZDNet Korea quoted Kang as saying it was an honour to lead Disney APAC in a period of great growth and change, and that Choi has a deep understanding of the business. [ 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 ]
Why it matters
The appointment sets the leadership of Disney's business across Korea, Greater China, Japan, Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand from 1 December. The documents give no further detail on any change in strategy.
Key facts
- The Walt Disney Company announced on 20 October that Carol Choi will become Asia-Pacific (APAC) president on 1 December. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
- Choi is currently APAC head of media marketing and local content (EVP). [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
- She replaces Luke Kang, who decided to retire after 16 years with Disney. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
- Her remit covers studio, Disney+, local original content production, consumer products, media networks and content sales. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
- The region covers Korea, Greater China, Japan, Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- Choi has worked at Disney for 20 years and has headed Disney Japan and Disney Korea. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Disney announced that Carol Choi becomes APAC president on 1 December, following the retirement of Luke Kang after 16 years. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
- Choi will oversee studio, Disney+, local original content, consumer products, media networks and content sales across the region. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
- Alan Bergman, chairman of Disney Entertainment studios, and Jimmy Pitaro, ESPN chairman, described Choi as a proven Disney leader with broad operating experience, a strong creative sense and a deep understanding of the Asia-Pacific region. [ 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 ]
Still unclear
- When Kang became APAC president. Only Yonhap says he held the post from 2020; the other documents do not give a start year for that role.
- Kang's plans after retirement. None of the documents says what he will do next.