Disney/ABC Add John Solaro & Roger Tsai in Key Roles to Support Digital Expansion

As part of its strategy for growth in digital programming services, Disney|ABC Television Group has hired John Solaro and Roger Tsai to oversee user experience & innovation and strategy & operations, respectively. Both will report into John Frelinghuysen, executive vice president, Digital Media, Strategy and Business Development, Disney|ABC Television.

As head of User Experience and Product Innovation for Digital Media, Solaro will lead a team integrating visual design, interaction design, motion design and innovation across Disney|ABC Television's portfolio of multi-platform products. He will play a key role in driving a product roadmap incorporating new non-linear, mobile, direct-to-consumer and cloud products.

As VP of Digital Strategy, Business Planning and Operations for Digital Media, Tsai leads a strategy and operations team focused on identifying, developing and helping execute new digital business strategies. His team leverages product and performance insights, identifies opportunities, secures capabilities and builds strategies. In addition, his team focuses on opportunities for driving audience acquisition, engagement, retention and advocacy.

"John and Roger bring tremendous business and technology expertise, deep understanding of the digital landscape and exceptional skills that will enable us to take our multi-platform businesses to the next level," said Frelinghuysen. "John is a proven leader and innovator whose products have won numerous design and product awards for leading-edge video gaming and video content experiences. We are looking forward to seeing his creative sensibility and extensive user experience knowledge help drive our next wave of innovations. Roger's strategic skills finding new and exciting ways to connect people with their favorite entertainment experiences will help us best capitalize and grow Disney|ABC's expansive product offerings."

"Disney|ABC Television has been a leading innovator in digital television products," said Solaro. "I'm looking forward to working hand-in-hand with the team as we further refine and expand how consumers experience our brands and content."

"I'm joining a great team that has never hesitated to pursue new platforms," said Tsai. "I am looking forward to working with them to identify new and bold ways to reach our viewers and grow our programming service offerings."

With 20 patents to his name, Solaro brings a unique, non-traditional background to the field of UX. Prior to his current role, Solaro was the Principal Design/UX Director for Microsoft's Xbox Design Studio, directing the design and user experience for Xbox software products, including the Xbox One console and Xbox Mobile/Tablet/PC. During this time, he led design teams in experience areas such as social networks, digital stores, dashboards, live TV, system guides and gamification. Solaro graduated from Northwestern University with a BS in Industrial Engineering.

Tsai comes to Disney|ABC from Gracenote, the media technology company, where he led the company's connected car strategy as well as its personalization efforts. Prior to Gracenote, Tsai worked as a strategy consultant at McKinsey & Company and attended the Kellogg School of Management (MBA) and Cal Berkeley (BS in Mechanical Engineering).

About the Disney|ABC Television Group Disney|ABC Television Group is comprised of The Walt Disney Company's global entertainment and news television properties, owned television stations group, and radio business. This includes ABC Studios, the ABC Owned Television Stations Group, and the ABC Television Network, which provides entertainment, news and kids programming to viewers via more than 200 affiliated stations across the U.S. It also includes Disney Channels Worldwide, a portfolio of 116 kid-driven, family-inclusive entertainment channels, including Disney Channel, Disney XD, Disney Junior, Disney Cinemagic, Hungama, and Radio Disney brands, as well as cable network Freeform, which targets Millennials. Disney|ABC Home Entertainment and Television Distribution and Disney Media Distribution round out the portfolio. Disney|ABC Television Group also has equity interests in A+E Networks and Hulu.

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