Disney Seeks Inclusive Partnerships with Creators Across Multiple Platforms
Asad Ayaz, Chief Marketing and Brand Officer at The Walt Disney Company, made a direct appeal to creators assembled on The Walt Disney Studios lot for more inclusive partnerships.
Ayaz argued that the creator economy is not separate from Disney's history, but rather a continuation of it. He highlighted Walt Disney's willingness to take creative risks and learn from his mistakes as a key factor in the company's success.
Disney views the modern media landscape as an opportunity for cross-platform storytelling, where a character or story can move seamlessly between screens, merchandise, and theme park lands.
Ayaz emphasized the importance of preserving what makes creators distinctive while finding new ways to engage with their communities. He cited examples such as Lala Sadii's scripted project in development for Disney Channel and Disney+, which extends her personal storytelling from online platforms to television.
The company is also exploring partnerships with creators through its TikTok partnership, which aims to give them access to Disney brands and create opportunities for selected work to appear on both TikTok and Disney+.