BURBANK, Calif.– R. Russell Hampton, Jr. has been named senior vice president and general manager of The Baby Einstein Company, LLC, it was announced today by Robert A. Iger, president and COO of The Walt Disney Company. Hampton will be responsible for managing the recently acquired company and growing the Baby Einstein brand through the introduction of new products and by leveraging Disney’s global distribution strengths. He also will oversee development and launch of new Einstein products designed for pre-schoolers, including a daily television show.
“Russell was instrumental in our acquisition of Baby Einstein and has a thorough understanding of the business and its products,” said Iger. “He also appreciates the value of this strong new brand and will be able to capitalize on its great potential.”
Previously, Hampton was vice president of Strategic Planning and Corporate Development. He joined The Walt Disney Company in January, 1996, as manager of Strategic Planning, where he played a leading role in a number of initiatives, including the divestiture of ABC Publishing, the launch of Radio Disney Argentina and the sale of The Disney Store Japan.
Before joining Disney, Hampton was a vice president of J.P. Morgan & Co. in New York and a strategy consultant with Mercer Management Consulting in Chicago. He holds a B.A. in English Literature from Colgate University and an M.B.A. from Northwestern University.
The Baby Einstein Company, LLC, is the award-winning creator of innovative media products, toys and books for infants and toddlers. The company, based in Lone Tree, Colo., was acquired by Disney in November.