Peter D. Whitford Named President, Disney Store - Worldwide

Business Wire, April 17, 2001

Business/Entertainment Editors

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 17, 2001

Retail industry veteran Peter D. Whitford has been named president of the Disney Store - Worldwide, it was announced today by Andrew P. Mooney, president of Disney Consumer Products Worldwide.

Whitford will oversee all facets of the Disney Store's global retail operation. He will lead the merchandising, planning and allocation, real estate, human resources, finance, distribution, marketing and store operations teams in the strategic renewal of the Disney Store's business, including the rollout of a new store design and a new merchandise strategy.

In addition to the Disney Store, Whitford will head Disney Direct Marketing, the company's catalog division, and DisneyStore.com with the objective of creating a strong, cohesive retail strategy across all three lines of business.

"Peter's impressive career is steeped in retail experience. He has established himself as a strong, effective leader within the industry, and joins the Disney Store at a perfect time," said Mooney. "His vast background and leadership style are a perfect fit to lead the Disney Store into a new and exciting future."

Since 1997, Whitford has served as president and chief executive officer of Structure, a division of The Limited Inc., where he led all aspects of the 500-store retail chain for men. He joined Structure in 1995 as an executive vice president and general merchandise manager, and spearheaded efforts that resulted in a profitable division, while managing all merchandising functions of the business.

Prior to joining Structure, Whitford was president and CEO of Whitmarks Corp., which he established in the United States as a trading company for Australian products. He also served as president and CEO of Country Road U.S.A., and CEO of Country Road Australia and New Zealand, a retail chain specializing in women's and men's clothing and accessories.

During his 20-year career, Whitford has also worked for Sheridan Textiles, Australia's largest manufacturer and distributor of textiles; the Stafford Group, the largest men's-tailored-clothing manufacturer in Australia; Healthy Life, Australia's largest health-food chain; and Hardy Brothers Jewelry Co., Australia's most prestigious jewelry and gift company.

Whitford received his bachelor's degree in business from University of Technology, Sydney, Australia, and his postgraduate diploma in direct marketing from Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.

Whitford will relocate from Bexley, Ohio, to the Los Angeles area with his wife Georgina and their two children.