Television Executive Ayo Davis the head of casting at ABC Television is now expanding her role and has been appointed to the newly created role of Executive Vice President of Creative Development and Strategy for Disney Branded Television which includes Disney+, Disney Channel, Disney XD and Disney Junior Networks.
In her previous role at ABC Television Davis been responsible for the casting of some of ABC’s biggest hits including “Black-ish,” “How To Get Away With Murder” and “The Good Doctor.”
The announcement of Davis new position comes a few weeks after Peter Rice, Chairman of General Entertainment Content for Disney unveiled a new structure of his division. Davis will report to Gary Marsh who was previously the President and Chief Creative Officer for Disney Channel Worldwide will now be the President and Chief Creative Officer for Disney Branded Television and will now oversee content made by Disney General Entertainment for kids, teens and families and will include shows for Disney+ as part of Rice’s restructuring.
Davis also played a major role in the implementation and launch of the ABC Discovers Initiative, whose goal is to find and nurture up and coming talent from around the world. Alumni of this initiative include Lupita Nyong’o and Pedro Pascal.
“Ayo’s sophistication and taste elevate every project she touches — and her impact on the television landscape is beyond measure,” stated Gary Marsh, President and Chief Creative Officer for Disney Branded Television “As we embark on the mission of bringing more world-class content to Disney-branded platforms, I could not imagine a more perfect executive with whom to partner.”
“This is an exciting and incredible time of growth for Disney Branded Television,” Davis said. “I am honored to work with Gary and his exceptional team in leveraging a strong legacy of storytelling to create engaging programming for generations of viewers to come.”
Davis is an alumnus of Dillard University with a BA in Communications and now serves as a board member of the university.
