Disney replacing Carney with experienced marketing executive

Walt Disney Studios chairman Rich Ross has selected an experienced Hollywood hand to replace departing worldwide marketing president MT Carney and hopes to finish negotiating a contract with the new executive later this week, two people familiar with the matter but not authorized to speak publicly confirmed.

Ross has kept a very tight lid on who the person is, however, to prevent the name from being leaked to the media before a deal is finalized. Even several people who work at or closely with Disney said they have not been informed of the person's identity.

The choice of a Hollywood insider shows that Ross does not want to repeat his decision of choosing someone with no film experience after Carney, who came to Disney from a Madison Avenue "brand management" firm, proved ineffective and left after 19 months on the job.

A spokesman for Disney declined to comment.

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-- Ben Fritz

Photo: Disney studio production president Sean Bailey, left, studio president Alan Bergman, Walt Disney Co. CEO Bob Iger, ex-studio marketing president MT Carney and studio chairman Rich Ross at the November premiere of "The Muppets." Credit: Todd Williamson / WireImage