Benjamin Swinburne to Join Disney as Executive Vice President of Investor Relations and Corporate Strategy

Key Terms

investor relations financial

Investor relations is the communication process between a company and its current or potential investors. It involves sharing information about the company's performance, strategies, and outlook to help investors make informed decisions. Effective investor relations build trust and transparency, similar to a clear conversation between a business and someone considering investing, ensuring both parties understand each other's interests and expectations.

corporate strategy technical

A corporate strategy is a company's long-term plan for where it will compete, how it will use its resources, and what goals it will pursue to grow or protect value. Think of it as a roadmap or game plan that guides decisions about which businesses to enter or exit, how much to invest, and how to balance risk versus reward; investors watch it because a clear, achievable strategy helps predict future profits, cash flow and management’s ability to allocate capital wisely.

equity research financial

Equity research is the process of studying a publicly traded company's business, finances and market position to form an informed view on whether its stock is a good investment. Think of it as a detailed inspection and forecast — analysts gather facts, estimate future profits and risks, and then recommend buy, hold or sell; investors use these findings like a weather report to judge potential returns and risks before putting money into a stock.

sell-side analysts financial

Sell-side analysts are financial researchers who work for brokerage firms or investment banks and publish regular reports that rate stocks, forecast earnings and recommend buying, holding or selling shares. Investors care because these reports shape market expectations and trading activity—think of them as traffic signals for traders: a positive report can turn a green light into more buying, while a negative one can slow demand and affect a company’s stock price.

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Benjamin Swinburne has been named Executive Vice President of Investor Relations and Corporate Strategy for The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS), it was announced today by Hugh F. Johnston, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Swinburne will join Disney in the near future and report directly to Johnston. He has most recently served as Managing Director and Head of US Media and Telecom & Cable Services Research at Morgan Stanley.

“Ben has been one of the industry’s most respected media analysts and brings deep insight into the evolving global entertainment landscape,” said Johnston. “His analytical rigor, strategic perspective, and long-standing knowledge of our business and broader industry make him an exceptional addition to our team as we continue to execute against our long‑term vision and deliver sustained value for our shareholders.”

In this new role, Swinburne will lead Disney’s investor relations function, communicating the company’s financial performance and long‑term strategic vision to institutional investors and retail shareholders, sell-side analysts and other key stakeholders. He will also oversee the company's long-term strategic planning and market analysis in his corporate strategy role, identifying growth opportunities based on industry trends and evolving entertainment consumption.

“Having spent much of my career analyzing Disney’s performance and long‑term opportunities, I have a deep appreciation for the company’s creative strengths, operational discipline, and consistent focus on delivering value for shareholders,” said Swinburne. “It is an incredibly exciting time to be joining the company, and I look forward to working with the team to continue the incredible progress they have made to position Disney for future growth.”

As Managing Director, Head of US Media and Telecom & Cable Services Research at Morgan Stanley, Swinburne led the equity research coverage of the media and entertainment, advertising, and telecom and cable services industries, areas he has followed for over two decades. He has been consistently ranked among the leading analysts in multiple sectors in a variety of investor polls, including a 2021 induction into the Institutional Investor All-America Research Team Hall of Fame. He joined Morgan Stanley as a research analyst in 1999. Swinburne earned a bachelor’s degree in public policy with a concentration in finance from Washington and Lee University and a master’s degree in accounting from Babson College.

About The Walt Disney Company

The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international entertainment and media enterprise that includes three business segments: Entertainment, Sports, and Experiences. Disney is a Dow 30 company and had annual revenue of $94.4 billion in its Fiscal Year 2025.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260130105450/en/

David Jefferson

818-560-4832

david.j.jefferson@disney.com



Mike Long

818-560-4588

mike.p.long@disney.com

Source: The Walt Disney Company