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Naomi Bulochnikov-Paul is exiting Disney TV as head of communications after eight years. Bulochnikov-Paul has spent eight years at the company, most recently as executive vice president, communications, for Disney Entertainment
Television. In a memo to staff she said she was exiting “to pursue a new opportunity.”
Bulochnikov-Paul’s exit is the latest shift at Disney’s TV operations; earlier this month, Eric Schrier moves from his role as head of international originals to a production pact while Adam Smith took over full oversight of direct-to-consumer operations as Joe Earley shifted into a newly created role of president of Disney Entertainment Television franchise and content strategy. New Disney Entertainment Television chairman Debra OConnell is said to be mulling further structural changes in the coming weeks.
Insiders stressed that Bulochnikov-Paul was departing on her own accord, however, and that it was unrelated to the current restructuring.
As head of comms, Bulochnikov-Paul led communications across Disney brands including ABC Entertainment, ABC News, Disney Kids & Family, Disney Television Studios, FX, Hulu Originals and National Geographic Content, as well as platform distribution and Disney Global Advertising.
Bulochnikov-Paul first joined Disney as VP of communications at Freeform and later joined ABC Entertainment as senior vice president of publicity and communications for ABC Entertainment. Besides expanding her domain across Disney Entertainment Television, Bulochnikov-Paul handled executive communications for Dana Walden during her time as Disney Entertainment co-chairman.
Bulochnikov-Paul, who began her career at MTV Networks, has also held communications roles at Netflix, Sony Pictures Television and Current TV.
Here is her note to her staff:
Team,
I want to share with you all that after eight extraordinary years, I will be leaving Disney to pursue a new opportunity.
There is so much I will carry with me from my time here, but nothing more meaningful than the privilege of leading this incredible, powerhouse team. Together, we’ve navigated defining moments for our company, championed our talented leaders and creators, and helped our shows and stories break through and become part of the culture. We’ve also weathered our share of challenges and met every single one of them with sound judgment, creativity, resilience and most importantly, a real commitment to one another. And somehow – through it all – we always managed to make the impossible look entirely planned.
You are all exceptional communicators, but even more importantly, exceptional people. I have been inspired daily by your talent, your integrity and the genuine care you bring to the work, and to each other.
I’m deeply grateful to Dana, whose trust and mentorship have shaped my career in countless ways; to Paul, for his leadership and friendship; and to Debra, whose support and generosity of spirit I’ve valued and benefited from greatly over many years and many roles.
Disney is where I was raised professionally, and I will be forever grateful to the many colleagues who helped shape me along the way, and have become not only trusted collaborators, but also close friends.
Thank you for your partnership, your friendship, your humor and your heart. I leave immensely proud of what we’ve accomplished together and completely confident in everything you will continue to create.
I will always be in your corner.
Naomi
And here is OConnell’s note:
Team,
It is with a heavy heart I share Naomi’s note with you about her departure from Disney Entertainment Television. Naomi has been a wonderful partner for me, Paul and Dana as well as so many others across the company over the years, and she’s a thoughtful leader who has cultivated an awesome comms team that we’ve come to rely on and trust — and we all know that’s something that’s earned. Naomi’s expertise as a communications strategist has been vital to us as we’ve navigated so much together over the past few years.
While we will certainly miss Naomi, I’m excited for what’s ahead for her and know she will bring the same combination of talent, integrity and heart to whatever comes next.
Thank you, Naomi, for your partnership, your leadership and, most of all, for who you are. We are better for having had you here, and I hope you know how deeply appreciated you are.
Wishing you every success in this next chapter. You’ll always have many people here cheering you on.
With gratitude,
Debra
