The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS) today announced the appointment of Paul Candland as the managing director of The Walt Disney Company (Japan) Ltd., effective June 1, 2007. In addition to his current role as head of Disney ABC International Television and Disney Channel, Candland will be responsible for the company’s local strategy development, new business initiatives, and local brand marketing in Japan.
The announcement was made by Andy Bird, the president of Walt Disney International. “Paul brings great expertise to his new role,” said Bird. “His many years of working in Japan and his knowledge and prior experience with Disney will allow us to further expand our local business and take advantage of the incredible opportunities provided by Japan.”
”I am truly honored and excited about this opportunity to further fuel the development of Disney in Japan,” said Candland. “I look forward to working closely with all our colleagues, partners and distributors to service Disney’s customers in Japan. We will aim to do this by continuing to provide them with great quality entertainment and products, just as we have been doing around the world for the past 84 years.”
Candland has been with Walt Disney Company Japan for almost a decade, originally joining the company as general manager of the Disney Store chain. He currently serves as the managing director of Disney ABC International Television and Disney Channel Japan, where he was responsible for launching Disney Channel Japan in 2003.
Prior to joining Walt Disney Company Japan, Candland was at Pepsi-Cola Company for over ten years (1987-1998). In 1994 he was named president of Okinawa Pepsi-Cola, and subsequently served as the Japan representative for Pepsi-Cola International.
Candland is a graduate of Brigham Young University and holds a bachelor’s degree in Finance. Additionally, he earned a masters degree from Pennsylvania State University. He has worked in Japan for the last 15 years, and is fluent in Japanese.
About The Walt Disney Company Japan
The Walt Disney Company first entered Japan in 1959. In April 2000, Walt Disney Company integrated affiliated offices in Japan as a regional corporation and re-named it Walt Disney Japan K.K. in August 2002. Walt Disney Japan K.K. overlooks all of Japan’s Disney businesses with the exception of the Tokyo Disney Resort.
Walt Disney Japan has diversified its business in working in and strengthening the synergy between the areas of film, television, DVD/Video, music, parks and resorts, consumer products, publishing, and gaming and internet.
The film distribution division set a new record of 25.5 billion yen in box office revenue for 2006. The consumer product division continues to provide appealing Disney Licensed products, together with over 200 licensing partners. The “Disney Mobile” official mobile site created by the internet business division also boasts over 4 million registered users, and has established its position as one of Japan’s largest official mobile services. The TV division launched the “Disney Channel” in 2003, and a second dedicated Disney Channel, “Toon Disney,” in 2005. The Disney Channel is enjoyed by 3.5 million households throughout Japan.
Through marketing activities strongly focused on the Japanese market and consumer, we seek to provide high-quality entertainment, product development and delivery.
