Paul Roeder is Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Communications Officer of The Walt Disney Company. Roeder oversees Disney’s worldwide communications and public relations strategy and operations and serves as lead spokesperson. With oversight of enterprise and business segment communications, as well as regional communications teams worldwide, his responsibilities include media relations, executive communications, enterprise editorial strategy, internal communications and employee engagement, public affairs, and corporate social responsibility.
A 25-year veteran of Disney, Roeder has a deep breadth of global communications experience spanning entertainment, streaming, and technology and has contributed extensively to building strong reputation management tactics at the company during his tenure. He most recently served as Executive Vice President, Communications – Disney Entertainment Studios, Direct-to-Consumer, and International, where he oversaw the development and implementation of global communications strategies for The Walt Disney Studios and its collection of world-renowned studios, including Disney, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar Animation Studios, Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm, 20th Century Studios, and Searchlight Pictures; Disney Theatrical Group; and Disney Music Group. He also led the communications teams for Disney Entertainment’s Direct-to-Consumer group as well as Disney Entertainment and ESPN’s Product and Technology, Platform Distribution, and International divisions, and the company’s Office of Technology Enablement.
Roeder has led communications for The Walt Disney Studios since 2010, serving as a key member of its executive team throughout the acquisitions and integrations of Lucasfilm and 21st Century Fox in 2012 and 2019, respectively; the 2019 launch of Disney+; and the release of some of the biggest films in recent history, including Avatar: The Way of Water, Avengers: Endgame, Black Panther, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Frozen, and Inside Out 2.
Previously, Roeder served in roles of increasing responsibility in Corporate Communications for The Walt Disney Company from 2002-2010, after joining Disney’s ABC communications team in 2001. He began his career in the entertainment industry serving in various roles at William Morris and later as an assistant to the executive producer on the comedy tentpole Meet the Parents. Roeder is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. He holds a bachelor’s degree in English from De Pauw University.