Michael Mendenhall Promoted to Senior Vice President of Synergy at The Walt Disney Studios

Strategic Insights -

Michael Mendenhall has been promoted to the newly created position of senior vice president, synergy, for The Walt Disney Studios. In his new role, Mendenhall will develop and implement comprehensive synergy marketing strategies across the studio's motion picture, television, music, and home entertainment divisions. He will report directly to Dick Cook, chairman of The Walt Disney Motion Pictures Group. Mendenhall brings significant experience in marketing and synergy, having previously served as vice president, marketing/synergy, for Buena Vista Pictures.

Key Takeaways:

  • Mendenhall has been promoted to senior vice president, synergy, at The Walt Disney Studios, a newly created position responsible for developing and implementing comprehensive synergy marketing strategies.
  • In his previous role as vice president, marketing/synergy, for Buena Vista Pictures, Mendenhall was instrumental in developing and implementing synergy campaigns for numerous event films, including "The Hunchback of Notre Dame," "Hercules," and "Mulan."
  • Mendenhall has a proven track record of working with over 65 internal divisions of The Walt Disney Co. as well as with filmmakers, to develop strategic marketing synergy plans.
  • He has received recognition for his efforts in improving communication between divisions and has been described as an "excellent marketing executive and a terrific communicator" by Dick Cook.
  • Mendenhall holds a bachelor of arts degree from Emerson College and has done graduate studies in business administration at European University in Brussels, Belgium.
  • He began his professional career as a national account executive with the Philadelphia-based firm YBI Advertising and has also served as regional director of communications/spokesman for George Bush during his 1988 presidential campaign.

Statistics:

  • Mendenhall has worked with over 65 internal divisions of The Walt Disney Co.
  • He has served as vice president, marketing/synergy, for Buena Vista Pictures for the past three years, developing and implementing synergy campaigns for numerous event films.
  • Mendenhall began his association with Disney in 1990, when he joined Walt Disney World in cooperative advertising.
  • He holds a bachelor of arts degree from Emerson College and has done graduate studies in business administration at European University in Brussels, Belgium.

Sources:

  • Entertainment Wire, Feb. 25, 1999
  • Interview with Dick Cook, chairman of The Walt Disney Motion Pictures Group
  • Biography of Michael Mendenhall