Zenia Mucha Promoted to Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications, The Walt Disney Company

Business Wire, May 9, 2002

Business Editors

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 9, 2002

Zenia Mucha has been promoted to senior vice president, Corporate Communications, The Walt Disney Company, it was announced today by Michael D. Eisner, chairman and CEO, and Robert A. Iger, president and COO, The Walt Disney Company.

In this newly expanded position, Ms. Mucha will assume overall responsibility for both the communications policies and strategic positioning of The Walt Disney Company and its diverse global business segments, which include Media Networks, Parks and Resorts, Studio Entertainment and Consumer Products. She will oversee media relations, financial communications and employee communications, in addition to setting direction for overall corporate positioning. Ms. Mucha will be chief spokesperson for The Walt Disney Company and will continue to be based in Los Angeles.

In announcing the promotion, Mr. Eisner said: "Zenia is nationally recognized as one of the most strategic and forward-thinking communications professionals in America today. In every position throughout her career, she's earned the respect both of her peers and of the national media. She also has an impressive track record of leadership in both the public and private sectors."

Mr. Iger said: "Since joining ABC early last year, Zenia has demonstrated her superb instincts and judgment. We're all looking forward to her continued accomplishments as she now takes on these increased responsibilities for The Walt Disney Company."

Eisner and Iger also said that John Dreyer has decided to leave his position as senior vice president of Corporate Communications to pursue other opportunities. He will become a consultant to the company on communications issues.

Dreyer served in that position since 1992, and at The Walt Disney Company since 1977. Prior to being senior vice president of Corporate Communications, he was the head of publicity for The Walt Disney World Resort. Mr. Eisner said: "John's vast contributions to our success over the years, including his loyalty, work ethic and understanding of The Walt Disney Company, have won him great admiration. We're delighted to continue working with him in his new role."

Ms. Mucha has been senior vice president, Communications, for the ABC Broadcast Group and the ABC Television Network since joining the Company in February, 2001. She will continue to have an active role in the overall communications management of these areas. Her responsibilities have included the development, implementation and oversight of internal and external communications for the ABC Broadcast Group, the ABC Television Network and other ABC divisions. She also has supervised various other activities, such as public service campaigns, audience information, internal publications and the ABC Foundation.

Earlier in her career Ms. Mucha served first as director of communications and then as senior policy advisor to Governor George Pataki of New York State, where she earned a national reputation for her expert communications and political skills. She joined Governor Pataki in 1994 and is widely credited with helping the former State Senator achieve the recognition necessary to win the gubernatorial election. Ms. Mucha counseled Governor Pataki on a broad range of public policy and other issues. She also successfully positioned him for his first re-election campaign as Governor.

The New York Times observed: "Ms. Mucha's official responsibilities were defined as press relations, scheduling and correspondence. But her portfolio has expanded to include virtually every major decision made by the Governor." Upon her departure from New York State government to join ABC, The New York Times added that Ms. Mucha's absence "deprives Mr. Pataki of someone who was not only the most influential member of his inner circle, but also his most forceful advocate before the press and with leaders of the State Legislature, as well as other politicians."

Prior to joining the Pataki administration, Ms. Mucha served as press representative and then communications director to former United States Senator Alfonse D'Amato. Ms. Mucha managed Senator D'Amato's two successful re-election campaigns, in 1986 and 1992.