Disney has appointed Google and YouTube veteran Adam Smith as chief product and technology officer for Disney Entertainment and ESPN.
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Smith takes over the position after Aaron LaBerge left in June. LaBerge was CTO and head of online sports betting company Penn Entertainment, which last year inked a major deal with ESPN to rebrand Penn's business from Barstool Sportsbook to ESPN Bet.
The high-profile appointment is a sign that Disney is increasingly looking to streaming as its future. Smith begins his new role on Sept. 3, reporting to Disney Entertainment co-chairs Alan Bergman and Dana Walden and ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro.
Smith will lead the division and be responsible for technology strategy, development, implementation and innovation across the company's media units, including streaming platforms, networks, digital offerings for ABC, ABC News, Disney, ESPN, Marvel, Nat Geo and more, advertising technology, visual and production technologies, and emerging technologies.
