Disney Entertainment and ESPN Chief Technology Officer Aaron LaBerge announced his departure from the company, citing family reasons for his decision. He will remain at Disney until June 2024 before transitioning to PENN Entertainment to work as their CTO, with a focus on ESPN Bet.
LaBerge expressed confidence in the team and leadership at Disney, promising to work on a smooth transition before his departure. During his time at Disney, he played a crucial role in developing Disney’s streaming services and integrating advertising into Disney+. He was also involved in the merger of Hulu and Disney+.
Disney’s top executives, including ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro and Disney Entertainment co-chairs Dana Walden and Alan Bergman, expressed their gratitude to LaBerge for his over 20 years of contributions to the company. They noted that his transition to PENN Entertainment would continue to benefit Disney and ESPN.
Following LaBerge’s departure, Chris Lawson, EVP of content platforms and operations at Disney Entertainment and ESPN, will serve as the interim tech executive while the company searches for a permanent replacement for the CTO position. The top leadership at Disney expressed confidence in Lawson and the rest of the team to navigate this change and continue the company’s success.
LaBerge described Disney as his home, inspiration, and a significant part of his life, both personally and professionally. His departure marks an end of an era for him but also opens up new opportunities in the industry.
LaBerge has been with Disney since 2000 when he joined as director of technology for ABC Family Worldwide (now Freeform). He quickly rose through the ranks, becoming senior vice president of technology in 2015 before being appointed chief technology officer in 2019.
His exit is expected to have a ripple effect throughout the industry as he was known for his innovative thinking and ability to bring together diverse teams to achieve common goals.
In conclusion, Aaron LaBerge’s departure from Disney marks an important milestone in both his personal life