Disney Appoints Alan Horn Chairman Of Disney Studios

The Walt Disney Co. (NYSE: DIS) appointed Alan Horn as chairman of Disney Studios, replacing former chairman Rich Ross, who was forced out in April, the company announced Thursday.

Horn will oversee global operations for The Walt Disney Studios division of the company, including production, distribution and marketing for films from Disney, Pixar and Marvel in addition to marketing and distribution for movies from DreamWorks Studios under the Touchstone Pictures marque.

Horn previously oversaw executive teams for the Harry Potter franchise, The Dark Knight and Seinfeld TV show as president and COO of Warner Bros. Entertainment.

Disney CEO Bob Iger pushed Ross out of the chairman's spot after causing a stink in the film industry by giving the position to someone whose prior experience had only been in television, according to The New York Times. The straw that broke the proverbial camel's back in Ross' time as Disney Studios chairman was the box office failure and $200 million loss on the science fiction move John Carter. Ross was seen as being incapable of navigating the labyrinthine relationships that make up the Hollywood film industry.

Iger seemed to take a dig at Ross in his statement about Horn's appointment: He's earned the respect of the industry for driving tremendous, sustained creative and financial success, and is also known and admired for his impeccable taste and integrity.

The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS) shares rose 51 cents to close at $45.71.