Cindy Rose Named Managing Director of Walt Disney Internet Group Europe, Middle East and Africa

Cindy Rose has been named senior vice president and managing director of the Walt Disney Internet Group (WDIG) Europe, Middle East and Africa, it was announced today by Mark Handler, executive vice president and managing director, WDIG International. Rose will manage all aspects of WDIG’s European regional operations, which encompass premium subscription content and Internet-based services, including advanced broadband, interactive television and mobile applications, as well as the 14 local European versions of Disney.com. "The Walt Disney Internet Group is focused on taking the consumer experience with interactive family entertainment via the Internet and mobile devices to new levels through creative and technical innovations,” Handler said. "Given Cindy’s impressive accomplishments throughout her tenure with Disney and her strong leadership abilities, she is an excellent choice to spearhead our efforts to accomplish that goal across Europe.” Rose’s key priority for the next 12-18 months will be the rollout of the newly redesigned and enhanced Disney.com Web site, launched in the U.S. earlier this year, in the main European markets. Taking advantage of the strong growth of broadband and new Web tools, Disney.com is a compelling interactive experience that offers a broad array of Disney entertainment, products and services, as well as personalisation and community-building. "The Internet and mobile sectors are outpacing the growth of the rest of the European media and entertainment industry, and The Walt Disney Company is firing on all cylinders in terms of creating outstanding content that inspires consumers around the world,” added Rose. "The combination of these factors makes it an extremely exciting time to be working with the Walt Disney Internet Group to expand their existing presence on these platforms and to take advantage of new emerging platforms and technologies.” Rose joined Disney in 1995. She was appointed senior counsel of European Legal Affairs for The Walt Disney Company in 1996 and vice president, Government Relations Europe for The Walt Disney Company in 1998. In 2001, she was promoted to senior vice president and managing director for Walt Disney International, UK & Ireland, and in 2003, her territory was expanded to include the Middle East and Mediterranean regions. Rose, a dual U.S. and UK national, holds a Juris Doctorate from New York Law School and a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Columbia University. About Walt Disney Internet Group The Walt Disney Internet Group (WDIG) offers a compelling mix of interactive entertainment and information content and services for Internet and mobile devices for audiences around the world. WDIG is both a developer of unique new media experiences specifically designed for Internet and mobile media and a developer of new platforms for distributing content selected from broad, existing entertainment divisions and libraries of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS). Its paramount mission is to provide a safe, secure environment for consumers to experience the Disney brand anytime and anywhere as they inform and entertain themselves, look to join communities with other Disney fans, or shop for products and services. WDIG integrates the unmatched breadth of content with a best-practices approach to Internet and mobile technology and drives multiple revenue streams from premium content offerings, advertising and ecommerce. WDIG, which is headquartered in North Hollywood, Calif., has operations in Asia-Pacific, Europe and the Americas. In Europe, it operates 14 local Disney websites as well as Toontown Online, the world’s first massive multi-player online game for kids and families. In addition, WDIG develops interactive TV games which are available on Sky Gamestart in the UK and on Sky Italia in Italy. Through relationships with the majority of Europe’s mobile operators, WDIG produces and distributes Disney-branded mobile games, personalisation, and made for mobile video content and services.