Walt Disney Studios’ longtime head of distribution to retire

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Chuck Viane, president of distribution for Walt Disney Studios, will retire in July after 25 years with the entertainment company.

Viane will be succeeded by Dave Hollis, who has been promoted to executive vice president of theatrical exhibition sales and distribution. A 10-year Disney veteran, Hollis has been responsible film sales in 70 countries as Disney’s senior vice president of international distribution.

Joining Disney in 1985, Viane -- a longtime ally of former Disney Studios Chairman Dick Cook -- oversaw the studio’s distribution operation through a period of aggressive global expansion and dramatic technological change. His tenure also saw experimentation in shortening the traditional window between a movie’s theatrical release and its availability in the home, with last spring’s release of ‘Alice in Wonderland.’

‘Being on the front lines at Disney over such an exciting period in the film industry has been an extraordinary experience,’ Viane said in a statement, adding, ‘Now I’m looking forward to watching my grandkids grow -- and maybe getting to sleep in on Sunday mornings.’

-- Dawn C. Chmielewski