Mikey Campbell
Apple in May recruited longtime Disney executive Chiara Cipriani as its new director of video services, a hire that suggests preparations for an international Apple TV+ launch are in motion.
Cipriani, a 10-year Disney veteran, left her recently created post as vice president at Disney+ International in May to immediately join Apple's ranks in London, according to her LinkedIn profile. The move arrives just months before Apple and Disney are scheduled to launch competing streaming services this fall.
At Disney, Cipriani served as general manager of the entertainment giant's digital direct to consumer service, where she previously held the title of VP of content and commercial. She joined Disney in 2008 as a development director of new media distribution, dealing with Disney, ABC and ESPN Television properties. Cipriani went on to manage Disney's digital media distribution team for Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
Cipriani has extensive knowledge of the digital video distribution industry, having cut her teeth at Sky before co-founding The Poker Channel Europe. She later served as Jetix's director of digital for a period of two years.
As noted by Bloomberg, which spotted the change in Cipriani's employment on Thursday, the hire could complicate Apple's relationship with Disney and its CEO Bob Iger, who sits on Apple's board of directors.
Speculation earlier this year suggested Iger would be forced to cede his board seat once the two companies roll out their competing services, but the Disney chief in April put those rumors to bed. Iger said he is careful to recuse himself when the subject of Apple TV+ is broached at board meetings, adding that video streaming is not currently a topic of frequent discussion.
The situation could soon change, as Apple is amassing a diverse team to lead its digital streaming efforts. The company's most recent hires include Molly Thompson, founder of A&E Indie, and Lionsgate marketing executive Danielle Depalma.
AppleInsider Staff
Malcolm Owen
Oliver Haslam
Andrew O'Hara
Wesley Hilliard
William Gallagher
Christine McKee
6 Comments
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Is this Mole #2 in the making?
Why do they have to be framed as competing services? Bob Iger has already stated it is likely Disney+ will be coming to Apple TV. If they offer it as an option within Apple TV+ then it would be a complimentary service not a competitor. It seems to me that Apple is wanting to have as many tv content options as possible and is working hard to partner with providers and content creators.
I doubt Apple has any ambitions at this stage to become a Disney or Netflix killer. Especially as they are focusing on quality over quantity for their own content and a partnership approach to fill out their content offering.