MUMBAI: Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Online (WDPRO) head Paul Yanover has been named executive vice president and managing director of Disney Online (DOL).

DOL is the business unit of the Walt Disney Internet Group (WDIG) that produces the top entertainment destination for kids and families on the internet. The appointment was announced today by WDIG president Steve Wadsworth and is effective immediately.

He will be succeeded at WDPRO by Edward Kummer, who previously served as vice president of creative development and production for that business.

"Paul has been a driving force in digital media within our company for more than a decade, most recently with our Parks and Resorts group, building its website portfolio into a substantial e-commerce business. I‘ve worked closely with him for the past three years and know he brings a strong vision that will take our business to the next level during this time of great opportunity for Disney Online, when more and more consumers are turning to the Internet as a key source of entertainment," said Wadsworth.
In his new capacity, Yanover will assume responsibility for all of DOL‘s strategic, creative, technical and marketing initiatives surrounding the presence of the Disney brand on the internet, including flagship site www.disney.com, which will undergo a major redesign and strategic development initiative over the next several years; DOL‘s acclaimed suite of premium broadband products including online games; a large portfolio of divisional Web sites for The Walt Disney Company (TWDC); and Web sites www.familyfun.com, www.go.com and www.movies.com.

Yanover will succeed Ken Goldstein, who is leaving Disney to pursue another opportunity. "Ken has made great contributions to WDIG over the past eight years. We wish him well in his next venture," said Wadsworth.

Yanover was responsible for developing and launching Virtual Magic Kingdom, Disney‘s online multi-player adventure game that allows Disney fans to experience the magic of Disney Theme Parks from their own home.