Disney has hired Mark Bozon, a former creative and gaming executive for Apple, to help oversee the company’s metaverse plans.
After 12 years at Apple, Bozon will serve as Disney’s VP of next-generation storytelling creative experiences, Deadline reports. He will work on “interconnected consumer experiences across immersive new storytelling canvases”.
Bozon was hired by Mike White, Disney’s SVP of next-generation storytelling and consumer experiences. White was appointed to the role earlier this year and will lead the company’s metaverse project.
“For nearly 100 years, our company has defined and redefined entertainment by leveraging technology to bring stories to life in deeper, more impactful ways,” Disney CEO Bob Chapek said in February (via Variety).
“Today, we have an opportunity to connect those universes and create an entirely new paradigm for how audiences experience and engage with our stories.”
“This is the so-called metaverse, which I believe is the next great storytelling frontier and the perfect place to pursue our strategic pillars of storytelling excellence, innovation, and audience focus,” Chapek added.
White, who has worked as an executive at Disney since 2011, will “establish our overall vision and strategy for the consumer journey through these new story worlds”, Chapek said.
The metaverse is a virtual world where users can play, build, own and monetise digital experiences, often using virtual reality (VR) headsets.
Apple gaming exec Mark Bozon joins Disney
In a tweet posted on 3 June, Bozon wrote: “I’m headed to Disney! Beyond thrilled to work with the best and brightest creative minds in the world. What an absolute dream come true. As a lifelong fan I’m humbled and excited to get started!”
Tilak Mandadi, the former head of digital and technology for Disney’s parks, experiences and products segment, unveiled the company’s vision for a ‘theme park metaverse’ in November 2020.
He described the metaverse as a space “where physical and digital worlds converge, with wearables, smartphones and digital access points immersing the guests in the metaverse experiences”.
Images: Disney
