INTEGRATION of the UK teams of Disney’s French and US
theme parks is to start next month under the helm of former Disneyland Resort
Paris managing director for UK, Ireland and Nordic regions Jo Rzymowska.
The announcement follows Rzymowska’s promotion to vice-president,
marketing and sales, for the UK, Ireland and Nordic regions for Disneyland
Resort Paris and Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.
Rzymowska will oversee the first phase of the
integration of the UK sales and marketing and back-office teams that work for
Disneyland Resort Paris and Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.
Both UK teams already operate out of the same offices
in Hammersmith, London, but will be merged to work as one to sell and market
Disneyland Resort Paris, Walt Disney World Florida, Disneyland California and
Disney Cruise Line.
Rzymowska could not rule out job cuts but said the aim
of the merger had never been a head-count reduction.
“This is to offer a better service to our guests and
travel partners. We are in the process of going through the merger but the aim
has never been to reduce staff,” said Rzymowska.
She said the merger was planned because the UK is the
number-one foreign market for the US and French theme parks.
Also research shows the brands are complementary with
Disney theme parks seen as both main holiday and short-break destinations.
“Having analysed the market and looked at what
customers and travel partners, it makes sense to push the teams together. The
resorts are complementary,” said Rzymowska.
Reporting to Rzymowska during
the pre-integration stage will be Walt Disney Parks and Resorts director of
marketing Pat Mitchinson, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts manager of travel
industry sales and marketing Kevin Brett, head of marketing Disneyland Resort
Paris Tamara Sanghvi, Disneyland Resort Paris head of PR and publicity Nicole
Walsh and head of commercial affairs Tony Lincoln.