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Disney S.E.A. appoints James Gray as GM, Disney Interactive

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James Gray

Singapore – The Walt Disney Company Southeast Asia (TWDC SEA) has announced the appointment of James Gray as General Manager, Disney Interactive, reporting to Robert Gilby, Managing Director of the region.

James Gray will oversee Disney Southeast Asia’s mobile, social and games businesses as well as interactive marketing across all Disney lines of businesses in the SEA region. He will be the key driver in developing and implementing interactive strategies for properties from Disney Online, Playdom,Disney’s Mobile games business (e.g. Where’s My Water), Club Penguin and console business (e.g. Disney Infinity) as well as for Disney’s leading entertainment brands in the Film industry (Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm), television industry (Disney Channel, Disney Junior and Disney XD), and Retail & Licensing sector (including Disney’s E-Commerce plans & Disney Publishing).

Gray will work closely with other lines of Disney’s integrated Southeast Asia organisation to increase the reach of Disney stories and characters across the region and to expand key partnerships and marketing initiatives.

“As Disney’s portfolio has expanded to include the Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars brands, we continue to provide new digital experiences to satisfy the entertainment needs of the next generation of fans across the region. Southeast Asia is now home to an online population in excess of 60 million and there is voracious demand for our interactive content and games. James and his team are dedicated to building and expanding relationships with multiple partners to enrich the mobile, social and games experiences with our world-class brands and content,” said Gilby.

A veteran in the online and mobile industry for over 17 years, Gray joins TWDC SEA team from Manchester United where for the last two years he was the Global Head of Mobile, spearheading the global expansion of the club’s mobile, digital and interactive business. Returning to the Southeast Asia region, Gray was previously based in Singapore where he was the General Manager for Electronic Arts Interactive, responsible for the Southeast Asia, India, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa markets, after being transferred from the UK office as Sales Director UK and Ireland. Prior to Electronic Arts, Gray previously worked for companies such T-Mobile, Buongiorno and British Telecom in the UK.

“It’s an exciting time for The Walt Disney Company in the Southeast Asia region and I am delighted to return to Singapore to join the company and help create relevant products, services and experiences for the large number of smart and connected digital consumers in these markets,” said Gray.

In November 2011, Disney announced the creation of an integrated Disney Southeast Asia (The Walt Disney Company (Southeast Asia) Pte Limited) organisation to harness the market opportunity of this dynamic region. Gilby oversees the company’s strategy, leading all company business divisions.