Tony Award-winning former Disneytoon Studios and Imagineering exec returns to Disney as Vice President, Studio Strategy and Operations, while Disney Television Animation exec promoted to Vice President, Production.
Disney Branded Television has just announced two new executive roster moves. Bardo S. Ramírez has rejoined Disney as vice president, Studio Strategy and Operations, Disney Branded Television, where he will lead strategic planning, production resource management, physical delivery, and workplace culture initiatives for Disney Television Animation. He reports to David Cobb, senior vice president, Operations and Content Planning, Disney Branded Television.
Additionally, Animation veteran Chris Hutchison has been promoted to vice president, Production, at Disney Branded Television, and will now oversee the production management of Disney Junior-branded content, the centerpiece of Disney's preschooler focused efforts. He reports to Sarah Finn, senior vice president, Production, Disney Television Animation.
Ramirez has extensive experience in all aspects of animation production, expertise in finance and artist collaboration, and a deep understanding of the creative process. His career includes project leadership roles in the development of creative content for theme park attractions, Broadway, media productions and retail experiences.
He was most recently co-executive producer, Universal Animation Studios (2017-21). His previous tenure at Disney spanned 12 years (2004-16) in roles including executive producer of the Creative Studio at Walt Disney Imagineering, director of Production at Disneytoon Studios, and production manager/supervisor and production finance lead at Walt Disney Animation Studios. He also produced over two dozen Broadway and off-Broadway plays and musicals, including Avenue Q for which he won the 2004 Tony Award for Best Musical.
Ayo Davis, president, Disney Branded Television, said, "It's a joy to bring such a dynamic leader home to Disney as our television animation studio increases its output as a supplier to Disney Channels and Disney+. Bardo is renowned for his creative vision and production excellence, and yet, what impresses me the most is how he inspires others with his enormous commitment to the art form and the artists. I'm looking forward to all that Bardo and the TV Animation team will accomplish together."
A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Science in economics, Ramirez is based in Burbank, California.
Hutchison, who joined Disney in 2009, has deep production experience across multiple animation mediums. He leads a team of production management executives and 200 production employees and artists, fostering innovation and collaboration while increasing quality and enhancing productivity in all aspects of animation production from the earliest stages of the show concept to delivery. In addition, he provides production guidance and leadership for multiple production co-partners around the world.
Among the many productions he's overseen during his tenure are the award-winning series Doc McStuffins, Muppet Babies and several Mickey & Minnie Mouse programs.
Meredith Roberts, senior vice president/general manager, Television Animation, Disney Branded Television, said, "This promotion acknowledges Chris' contribution to our entire organization and his high aptitude for strategic planning, analytical and practical execution on a multitude of simultaneous projects. His experience in the animation industry across multiple media environments and his talent, expertise and energy helps us provide the leadership to enhance all aspects of our work."
Hutchison was most recently executive director, Production, Disney Television Animation (2020-22), and previously, senior manager, Production (2015-20). In these roles, he oversaw production on multiple Disney Junior animated series as well as Big City Greens for Disney Channel. Earlier, he was senior manager, Production, Disney Channels Worldwide (2012-15) and manager, Production (2009-12), both roles in which he oversaw production on multiple original animated productions, co-productions and acquired content for Disney Junior, Disney Channel and Disney XD and original live-action productions for Disney Channel.
Prior to Disney, he held producer roles at Wild Canary Media Inc. (2008-09) and ka-chew! inc./Klasky Csupo Commercials (2003-08), working in CG, traditional 2D, Flash, live-action and motion graphics mediums on commercials, promos, graphics packages, main titles, and print ads for clients, including Disney. He began his animation career as a production assistant/coordinator at Klasky Csupo, Inc. (1998-2003).
Source: Disney Branded Television
Dan Sarto is Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network.
