Walt Disney Co. Hires Kathryn Kranhold As Senior VP, Corporate Communications

BURBANK, Calif. (August 1, 2011) — Kathryn Kranhold has been named senior vice president, Corporate Communications, The Walt Disney Company, it was announced today by Zenia Mucha, executive vice president, Corporate Communications. As part of the corporate communications team, Ms. Kranhold will help develop and execute the communications strategies for various issues and initiatives, including financial reporting, legal matters, corporate reputation management and executive communications. Ms. Kranhold also will work closely with Disney’s businesses, including Parks and Resorts, Media Networks, Consumer Products, Studio Entertainment and Interactive Media. She assumes her new position on August 1 and will report to Ms. Mucha.

“Kathryn’s professional experiences in both communications and journalism make her an excellent addition to our team,” said Mucha. “Her understanding of complex companies, issues and industries will serve Disney and its key stakeholders and audiences well.”

Ms. Kranhold joins Disney from Brunswick Group where she worked with clients on crisis, litigation and financial communications. Prior to that, she was with Sard Verbinnen & Co. advising clients on corporate and financial communications, including litigation, financial transactions, management transitions and corporate positioning.

From 1996-2008, Ms. Kranhold was a writer for The Wall Street Journal, covering a wide range of issues and industries, including finance, law, advertising, energy and healthcare. During the late 1990’s, Ms. Kranhold was the paper’s leading public utilities reporter and was part of the team covering California’s energy crisis and Enron Corp.’s rise and fall.

During her tenure at The Wall Street Journal, Ms. Kranhold earned the Newswoman of New York Front Page Award and the Business Journalist of the Year, Corporation of London, Public Utility Award.

Ms. Kranhold began her journalism career with The Hartford Courant.

Ms. Kranhold is a graduate of the University of Southern California and has a Master’s of Journalism degree from University of Missouri.