Nick Franklin
Executive Vice President, New Business Development
Walt Disney Parks and Resorts
President, Walt Disney Attractions Japan

As the leader responsible for exploring new ideas for growing the Disney experience beyond the perimeter of Disney's existing properties, leading the new Adventures by Disney venture and ESPN Zones across the United States, as well as managing the segment's relationship with the operator of Tokyo Disney Resort, Nick Franklin knows what it's like to adjust his watch three times in one day.

And this road warrior craves the excitement. "I don't really believe in jetlag!" said Franklin, whose team focuses on all domestic and international new business development and strategic initiatives outside of Disney's existing locations. This includes the development of stand-alone hotels, regional resorts, international expansion and other innovative business initiatives.

Additionally, he oversees Adventures by Disney, a new guided family vacation experience currently providing trips to 12 destinations in Europe, Central America and the United States, with more planned in the future. Franklin is also responsible for Disney Regional Entertainment, which runs eight ESPN Zones stretching from New York City to Las Vegas.

Beyond new businesses, Franklin also directs the operations of Walt Disney Attractions Japan and Disneyland International, the internal organizations that supervise and support Disney's association with Oriental Land Co., the third-party operator of Tokyo Disney Resort in Japan.

Beyond his direct, day-to-day responsibilities, Franklin also serves as a member of the Executive Committee for the Parks & Resorts segment overall. "This is not the typical opportunity that gets described in business school," he said. "My job is to help envision the next generation of Disney experiences around the world, which is pretty cool."

Before being promoted to his current role in 2007, Franklin oversaw the growth of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts throughout the world as Senior Vice President, International Development. Since 2003, he was responsible for the continued enhancement of existing Disney resorts in France, Hong Kong and Japan, as well as seeking out new geographies for the continued growth of the segment.

Franklin worked for more than seven years in Disney's Corporate Strategic Planning department, where his primary responsibility was working with Parks and Resorts on key decisions and long-term strategy for all of its business units. Prior to joining The Walt Disney Company in 1996, Franklin worked in investment banking at Goldman, Sachs & Co. and in strategy consulting at Mercer Management Consulting, both based in New York.

Franklin holds a degree in politics from Princeton University and an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. He is a member of the board of trustees of the Los Angeles Zoo.

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