Nancy Kanter leaves Disney channels after 20 years

Nancy Kanter, longtime leader of the Mouse House, will leave her position as EVP, content and creative strategy for Disney channels around the world next year after 20 years with the company. Kanter will depart in late January 2021. The announcement was made by his perennial colleague, president and CCO Gary Marsh, in an email from the company.

Colleagues have agreed on a long transition period that gives Marsh time to put together a comprehensive plan for the future of Disney channels. Kanter is not expected to retire, but longtime children's entertainment champion who helped launch the preschool destination Disney Junior is reportedly ready for new challenges. She joined the Walt team in 2001 as vice president of original programming, Disney Playhouse; She was promoted to SVP in 2004 and expanded the role of Disney Worldwide Playhouse in 2008. Kanter was named Original EVP Programming and general manager of Disney Junior Worldwide in 2012 and expanded her role to cover content for children aged between 2 and 14 years with his title. current in 2017

Marsh's email, in its entirety:

“I wanted to share some news with you.

Nancy Kanter, our trusted partner and creative leader for nearly 20 years, decided to leave the Disney Channel in late January 2021.

With his extraordinary talent and passion for storytelling, he helped us create stories for the audience that has just begun to understand the power of the stories. Undoubtedly, the most important of his many successes is the construction of one of the most culturally relevant channels and brands in the world children's television sector, Disney Junior. At each turn, Disney Junior is a reflection of what matters most to Nancy: fun narratives fueled by original characters that bring the magic and heart of classic Disney into completely new stories.

Another of Nancy's notable and enduring successes is paving the way for the creation of a new way to portray the most beloved character in the entire Disney universe, Mickey Mouse, to preschoolers and their parents, with the computer animated series. Mickey club which has become one of our most important franchises… ever.

Nancy also directed the development of another notable series for Disney Junior, Doc Mcstuffins. And it was Nancy who, early in the development of the series, asked the main character to visualize herself as a young black woman, and we proudly celebrated Doc when she became a role model for all boys, and especially girls in color. The series won the prestigious Peabody Award and was cited by critics as "one of the most important shows in the history of television".

His legacy also includes the Emmy Award winner. Sofia the first and its innovative spin-off Elena of Avalorand recently launched You look like a real detective. Each of these series is a testament to Nancy's administration of culturally accurate and universally engaging themed stories that are resonant and authentic to our diverse audience.

In her expanded role as director of creative content and strategy for DCWW, Nancy spearheaded the successful development of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series for Disney +, released the first original Disney Channel movie, Secret society of the real born to Disney +, and expanded the success of the original Disney Channel movie zombie e progeny franchise with the latest films that offered even more viewers than their predecessors.

In our television animation studio, Nancy defended the Disney channel Marvel's Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur and animated fantasy comedy Owl house (our animated series # 1 with girls and boys) e Phineas and Ferb The Movie: Candace Against the Universe e The proud family: stronger and more proud for Disney +.

In her tenure at Disney, it is clear that the content Nancy defended is world-class and vast, too broad to list here. But beyond specific content, her permanent legacies are the people she led and the culture she helped cultivate, which embody and embrace Nancy's commitment to honesty, integrity, and excellence in all. aspects of the job. .

I have no doubt that he will continue to explore his passion for great stories in the next chapter of his impressive career. She won't be leaving us for many months, so we'll have plenty of time to celebrate her before she leaves. For now, however, join me in wishing him a magical journey forward.

Kanter replied:

"There is no doubt that the over 19 years I have spent on Disney Channel have been the most productive and rewarding of my career. I could not be prouder of the content I have been able to create and the teams I have been fortunate to have. to drive. I will leave next year looking forward to continuing to create content that will have a lasting impact on the lives of children and families around the world through today's vast entertainment landscape. Thank the leaders across the company for Mi it gave the opportunity not only to grow as an executive, but also to contribute to the enduring legacy of Disney's great fiction that will live on for future generations. "

[Source: Deadline]