Disney Branded Television has appointed Rick Clodfelter to a brand-new position as content acquisitions and partnerships lead. His remit will be to find and negotiate third-party acquisitions for Disney’s linear channels and platforms, including Disney+. And he will also be responsible for forming and managing strategic partnerships with third-party content producers.

Based in New York, Clodfelter reports to EVP of content research, insights and scheduling Jane Gould. He will represent Disney Branded TV at markets and events to source new content and meet with partners.

Before taking this role, Clodfelter served as a consultant to Disney Branded Television through his kids- and family-focused company Garden Place Media. And prior to that, he was a senior director of content strategy and acquisitions for the now-defunct Universal Kids linear channel. Clodfelter also spent six years as director of content acquisitions and co-productions for Cartoon Network and Boomerang, where he was responsible for acquiring pre-produced series, specials, short-form content and series co-productions for all platforms.

The addition of Clodfelter to its team is part of an ongoing restructuring effort at Disney to separate content creation from distribution and commercialization, and move the content team away from its channel-focused structure. In 2020, Gary Marsh was tapped to head up Disney Branded TV, which oversees content for kids, tweens, teens and families, spanning live-action and animated movies and series, unscripted series and specials.