During a panel discussion at MipJunior in Cannes, Ayo Davis, president of Disney’s Kids & Family division, outlined how the company is responding to significant shifts in how children consume media. Davis noted that younger audiences are now engaging with a wide variety of content across different platforms and formats, necessitating a fundamental reassessment of Disney’s approach to storytelling and distribution.
The division has begun collaborating with independent creators who have built substantial audiences among children, including content producer Nastya and storyteller Dhar Mann. Disney executives explained that these partnerships are strategic rather than opportunistic, focusing on creators whose work aligns with the company’s storytelling values. Alyssa Sapire, head of original programming at Disney Jr., highlighted that Nastya’s emphasis on imaginative play resonates with preschool audiences, while Charlie Andrews, executive VP of live action content, noted that the company is developing projects with Nastya that account for her aging audience. Andrews remarked that scripts from greenlit Dhar Mann series employ contemporary dialogue and cultural references while maintaining core Disney themes including friendship, fantasy, and wonder.
The studio is also prioritizing short-form content as a mechanism for reaching audiences across multiple platforms and screens. Gino Guzzardo, VP of multiplatform content, emphasized that shorts have remained central to Disney’s distribution strategy. The company recently launched an anthology series called “Locker Diaries,” featuring vertical shorts designed to provide immersive character perspectives.
Executives underscored that alongside established franchises, the division continues to invest in original storytelling and new formats. The overarching strategy reflects an effort to maintain relevance with younger viewers by meeting them in spaces where they already engage with content while preserving Disney’s traditional narrative elements.
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