Melissa Stone Leads Disney's Global PR

Melissa Stone has been appointed to the role of senior vice president of publicity at The Walt Disney Studios. She will be responsible for leading the publicity team and executing global PR strategies across Disney's theatrical and streaming divisions.

In her capacity, Stone will manage publicity for a wide array of Disney's acclaimed banners. This includes Disney Live Action, Disney Animation, Pixar, Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm, and 20th Century Studios, alongside the streaming service Disney+.

Stone is a seasoned publicist with more than 20 years of experience, having spent 14 years with Fox and Disney. Her past work includes major titles such as "Avatar: The Way of Water," "The Little Mermaid," and various Disney+ series.

She will report to Martha Morrison, president of Studios Marketing, replacing the recently retired Michelle Sewell. Morrison expressed excitement, highlighting Stone's extensive experience, strong relationships, and proven campaign leadership.

Stone's arrival follows a period of significant restructuring at Disney, including multiple rounds of layoffs and a strategic consolidation under CEO Josh D'Amaro's "One Disney" approach. The company is also focusing on emerging technologies like AI across its operations.

Looking ahead, Walt Disney Studios has a robust slate for the remainder of 2026. Upcoming releases include "Hexed" from Walt Disney Animation Studios, Marvel Studios' "Avengers: Doomsday," and "Whalefall" from 20th Century.