Disney CFO Christine McCarthy Stepping Down For Family Medical Leave; Company Vet Kevin Lansberry Named Interim Replacement

CCTV footage has captured the moment a driver 'rammed' into a police car before speeding off. The incident was reported on Whitworth Road in Rochdale on Tuesday evening (June 27).

Brian Steinberg Senior TV Editor The nation’s biggest media chiefs have for months asked investors to be patient. Wait until the back half of 2023, they’ve said, when ad money will start to flow once again. Now companies like Paramount Global, Comcast, Disney, Fox and Warner Bros. Discovery need to play a waiting game of their own. Ad budgets are expected to be down in the industry’s “upfront” market, when U.S. media companies try to sew up deals for the bulk of their advertising inventory ahead of the fall launch of their next programming cycle. Big marketers are not only uncertain about what new content will be available come autumn – a writers’ strike has squelched production of everything from late-night programs to scripted comedies and dramas – but what they should expect from the economy over the next few months.

Selome Hailu Kevin Levy is leaving his post as the CW’s executive vice president of program planning, scheduling and acquisitions. The news was announced to CW staffers in a memo sent by Brad Schwartz, president of entertainment, on Tuesday, which also noted that Levy’s last day at the network will be on Aug. 1. Levy began his career at UPN, and was part of the team that transitioned into and launched the CW after UPN shut down. He remained at the CW for the entirety of his television career, starting as director of program planning and scheduling before rising the ranks and landing as executive vice president in 2018.

Rihanna has announced plans to step down at the CEO of Savage x Fenty and she has already appointed someone else to take over the position.

Rihanna is stepping down as the CEO of the lingerie brand she co-owns with LVMH, effective June 26, reports.«It's been beautiful to see our vision for Savage X Fenty impact the industry at such an incredible magnitude over the last five years,» Rihanna, who founded the line in 2018, tells the outlet. «This is just the beginning for us, and we're going to continue to expand in ways that always connect with the consumer.»While Rihanna will still serve as an executive chair for the company, Hillary Super, former CEO of Anthropologie Group, is taking over as CEO, the outlet reports.«I'm so grateful and excited to welcome Hillary Super as our new CEO,» Rihanna adds.

Shannen Doherty is putting on a happy face. The star was seen out for one of the first times since announcing she has stage 4 brain cancer, and she appeared to be in good spirits. On Thursday, Shannen was spotted outside the Soho House in Malibu, California, where she had dinner with her mother, Rosa Doherty. The 52-year-old actress, who was dressed in jeans, a navy sweater, reflective sunglasses, and held a blazer, smiled at cameras as she made her way to her vehicle. The sighting comes after Shannen has shared several photos and videos of herself in the hospital amid her cancer battle. Most recently on June 14, she posted a video where she's seen preparing to undergo brain surgery.

Rebecca Rubin Film and Media Reporter Zenia Mucha, who spent two decades as Disney’s top spokesperson before leaving the company in 2021, has been hired at TikTok. She’ll serve in the newly formed role of chief brand and communications officer and will be responsible for TikTok’s global marketing and communications strategies. Mucha’s hiring is part of a larger shakeup at TikTok. Vanessa Pappas is stepping down as the company’s chief operating officer and Adam Presser, the current chief of staff, has been promoted to head of operations. “Given all the successes reached at TikTok, I finally feel the time is right to move on and refocus on my entrepreneurial passions,” Pappas said in a note to staff.  “I know the company has a very bright and stable future under the strong leadership of Shou Chew and our executive team, I will be here to support him, the leadership team and all of you during this transition by taking on an advisory role for the company.”

Latondra Newton, who has served as Disney’s chief diversity officer since 2017, is leaving the company. An internal memo from Disney chief human resources officer Sonia Coleman announcing Newton’s departure was circulated to staff Tuesday.

Jennifer Maas TV Business Writer Disney’s chief diversity officer and senior vice president Latondra Newton is exiting her role after more than six years, according to an internal memo obtained by Variety. An individual with knowledge of the situation says that Newton will be joining the corporate board of another company soon, and plans to devote more time to her self-owned creative company. In her role as head of DEI operations at Disney, Newton was charged with overseeing the company’s “commitment to produce entertainment that reflects a global audience and sustains a welcoming and inclusive workplace for everyone.”

Angela Bassett is sharing how Whoopi Goldberg is willing to defend all members of a shoot during filming.

Damson Idris is opening up.

Earnings calls, those ritualized quarterly opportunities for public companies to convey the state of their financial affairs to Wall Street analysts and investors at large, are two-handed affairs for the Walt Disney Co.

The Wall Street Journal reported Friday.While McCarthy’s husband has been in a healthcare facility since early this year, a person familiar with her situation told the Journal there have been no dramatic changes recently that would drive her to step down. But there were signs of strife coming from the CFO’s office before the House of Mouse announced Thursday that she’d be leaving that were perhaps buried in the glowing comments that accompanied the announcement of her depature.“Christine McCarthy is one of the most admired financial executives in America, and her impact on The Walt Disney Company during 23 years of dedicated service cannot be overstated,” CEO Bob Iger said in a statement Thursday.Yet the Journal reported that McCarthy has butted heads with Iger since he returned as CEO in November and other top execs over the media and entertainment giant’s restructuring strategy.

Cynthia Littleton Business Editor In another shocker for the Walt Disney Co., Christine McCarthy is stepping down from her role as executive VP and chief financial officer and will take a family medical leave, Disney said Thursday. Kevin Lansberry has been named interim CFO for the media giant as of July 1. “Christine McCarthy is one of the most admired financial executives in America, and her impact on The Walt Disney Company during 23 years of dedicated service cannot be overstated,” Disney CEO Bob Iger said. “Christine has served as a key strategic anchor during a period of great transformation, and she and I have discussed her desire to ensure an orderly and successful CFO succession in advance of the company’s transition to its next chief executive officer. She is stepping down from her CFO role as she takes family medical leave, but has graciously offered to move into an advisory position to assist her successor in assuming the duties she has so expertly handled these many years.”

Olivia Wilde is sporting a new look!

“Avatar: The Way of Water” may have finally arrived in theatres in 2022, but that long parade of “Avatar” delays isn’t done, yet.

Cormac McCarthy has sadly died.

pic.twitter.com/qwnMcY9dzs“Many of us can recall an era when people could disagree without being disagreeable,” he continued, adding that current dialogue is “a toxic and corrosive force that threatens our social interactions and weakens the underpinnings of our democracy.”He explained he will be leading the nonpartisan Center on Public Civility that is being launched by the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute and that Jeff Bezos is “personally providing support for the planning and design phase” and “supports my decision to make this move.”The Washington Post is owned by Nash Holdings LLC, a private company owned by the Amazon CEO.