Deadline reports that Ricky Strauss, one of the key executives who launched Disney+ and former head of marketing for Walt Disney Studios, is leaving the company after nine years.
The announcement was made internally through a memo obtained by Deadline, and Strauss also reportedly shared the news with his staff.
The decision to leave comes as Disney has launched a full-scale overhaul of the entire corporation, in which Strauss was moved to a new role as President of Programming & Content Curation for Disney+ and Hulu. Strauss previously served as President of Content & Marketing, where he was in charge of developing the overall strategic vision for content at Disney+. He also oversaw development of Disney+’s programming decisions, production partnerships, and content acquisitions. Strauss joined the streaming division in 2018, before the service went live in 2019, but his role changed during the massive reorganization of Disney over the past year.
In his letter to staff, Strauss said the new job simply wasn’t a fit for his skills or the vision he had for his role at Disney+.
“After nine years with The Walt Disney Company, and much contemplation over the past several months, I have come to the decision that it is time for me to move on to pursue new creative endeavors,” Strauss wrote. “It took much thought and consideration, but with our new structure and the changes to my role, the reorganization does not provide me with the opportunity to do the kind of work I love to do and to continue making the intended impact I have been so fortunate to have achieved at Disney.”
Strauss made it clear, however, that the parting was an amicable one, adding, “I would be remiss not to share how appreciative I am of the leadership, guidance and support of Rebecca, Kareem, Bob Chapek and Bob Iger for their understanding around this very personal decision of mine to set off on a new adventure.”
Strauss will leave big shoes to fill at Disney. He was named Marketer of the Year by Advertising Age for his role in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and played an integral role in several of Disney’s most successful projects, including Rogue One: A Star Wars Story; Marvel’s The Avengers; Captain America: Civil War, and Guardians of the Galaxy; Disney’s The Jungle Book, Cinderella, Maleficent, and Beauty and the Beast; Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Frozen, Zootopia, and Moana; and Disney-Pixar’s Incredibles 2, Finding Dory and Inside Out.