Walt Disney International

Walt Disney International is responsible for a wide range of Disney's corporate activities outside the U.S. In 2000, the unit focused on acquisition opportunities, strengthening and expanding operations in regions that are strategically advantageous, leveraging the Disney brand to enhance worldwide growth and consolidating cost centers in order to lower operating expenses.

Michael O. Johnson President, Walt Disney International

This year, country managers have been appointed in every major territory, including Japan, England, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the Scandinavian region, Latin America, Australia, Korea and Taiwan. The country managers work in concert with the international operations of Disney's major business units, coordinating marketing and strategic initiatives in each territory and thus ensuring that business opportunities are maximized across all business units locally and globally. In 2000, Walt Disney International developed a strategic multi-year marketing plan in order to maximize the effectiveness of Disney's key companywide marketing initiatives. The effort is expected to enable the company to maximize reach to consumers in each market, increasing revenue opportunities for Disney and its business partners.

Optimizing the Disney brand is key to Walt Disney International's global expansion. For example, it is currently working with all Disney's business units to market on an international retail basis, a wide range of products based on Disney's highly popular Princess icons. Looking to the year ahead, emerging markets such as China, India, Turkey and parts of Eastern Europe offer prime opportunities to further expand the Disney brand.

Working in partnership with both corporate staff and the regional executives of Disney's business units, Walt Disney International also explores and develops new business initiatives. One of this year's new business ventures is "Disney-i," a Disney-branded entertainment and information subscription service on the Japanese wireless carrier DoCoMo. This service, which has garnered more than 425,000 subscribers since its launch in August, provides four subscriber services, including Disney music and character downloads, a Disney "theme park" game and a "Disney Fan" magazine developed specifically for the Japanese market. New features already have been added, including a "paperless coupon" that can be changed daily and customized for purchases at Disney Store locations in Japan. Walt Disney Internet Group now manages Disney-i and will roll out the service in other markets with help from local country managers.

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