D23 Brings Global Fandom Together

Asad Ayaz, Chief Marketing and Brand Officer of The Walt Disney Company, spoke about D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, which brings tens of thousands of fans together from around the world. Ayaz describes D23 as a powerful expression of the lasting connection Disney has with its fans.

D23 is an event where major announcements are made, exclusive previews are shown, and conversations with creators behind beloved stories take place. It's a celebration of the people who've made Disney part of their lives.

Disney's breadth of stories, characters, and experiences makes it uniquely able to host its own fan convention. This is because there's no single path to fandom at Disney, for some, it starts with Disney Animation, while others come from Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar, or a favorite series on Disney+.

Ayaz notes that fans don't just consume Disney stories; they build communities, traditions, and memories around them. Inspiration goes both ways, as seen in fan art, theories, cosplay, and community creations inspired by Disney's stories.

D23 is expanding globally, with events debuting in Brazil and Asia in the coming years. This expansion reflects how fandom has become a truly global conversation, where fans from different parts of the world can join in real-time.