Rich Ross, chairman of The Walt Disney Studios (TWDS), announced today that Sean Bailey has been named President of Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Production 

as the segment continues to restructure its operation. In his new role, he will oversee all aspects of live-action development, film production and physical production for Walt Disney Pictures and Touchstone Pictures. 

Additional changes to international theatrical distribution, multicultural initiatives, publicity, communications and Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment were made as part of the business' new strategic direction.

"Building upon a strong foundation with the company, Sean brings great creative instincts and considerable filmmaking experience to his new role at The Walt Disney Studios. 

His close relationships throughout the creative community and industry at large make him an ideal leader to set the direction of TWDS' future film slates," said Ross. "Sean's talent, energy, and commitment to delivering quality content will help us achieve our goals of producing and distributing Disney-branded movies that entertain audiences worldwide."

"I am honored and thrilled to join a company with the history and tradition of The Walt Disney Studios," said Bailey. "Working with the strong team that has been assembled under Rich's leadership, I look forward to working with the Studios' impressive array of talented filmmakers to create entertaining, inspiring films that uphold the legacy and quality of classic Disney movies and capture the imagination of our global audiences."

Bailey's feature film producing credits include Matchstick Men, Gone Baby Gone and the upcoming Disney film, Tron Legacy. He is the founder and president of the production company, Idealogy, Inc. He also co-founded the integrated media firm, LivePlanet, with Ben Affleck, Matt Damon and Chris Moore and was the executive producer of several high profile television programs including LivePlanet's three-time Emmy-nominated Project Greenlight. 

Sean wrote the screenplay Liberty for The Walt Disney Company and co-wrote the screenplay Solace.

Sean has created, packaged and developed film, television and new media concepts for Walt Disney Pictures, 

Miramax, 20th Century Fox, Columbia Pictures, DreamWorks, New Line Cinema, Paramount, Sony Pictures, Universal Pictures, Warner Bros., and all of the major television networks.

To further streamline the distribution of future TWDS' theatrical content, Ross also announced today that 23-year Disney veteran Chuck Viane, President, Distribution for Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, 

will take on all aspects of international sales and distribution across 70 countries, in addition to his on-going responsibilities overseeing domestic sales and distribution operations. Viane will report directly to Bob Chapek, President of Distribution for The Walt Disney Studios.

Other executives will take on new assignments as part of the Studios' restructuring. Christine Cadena, currently Senior Vice President, Marketing, Synergy and Franchise Development, will become Senior Vice President, Multicultural Initiatives, leading all diversity and multicultural efforts. 

Michelle Sewell has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Global Publicity, overseeing the domestic and international publicity departments, and is responsible for formulating and executing worldwide publicity campaigns for all live-action and animated motion pictures. 

She will report to the head of marketing.

The Studios' communications team will also transition as John Nicoletti becomes Vice President, Global Communications and Paul Roeder moves to Director, Global Communications. Heidi Trotta, Senior Vice President of Studio Communications, will stay on as a consultant for a transitional period.

Cadena, Nicoletti and Trotta will report directly to Ross.

"I'm fortunate that I have been able to access the deep talent pool within the Studio and throughout The Walt Disney Company," said Ross.

In addition to the executive level changes, the Studio will also continue its reorganization of the workforce at Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment.

"Our industry is evolving rapidly and in order to remain at its forefront, we are adapting our organization to be more agile, creative and responsive," said Ross.

Governor Linda Lingle today announced that Hawai'i will be the location for Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, the fourth installment of the highly successful Walt Disney Pictures' action adventure film series from Jerry Bruckheimer Films. 

The Walt Disney Company President and CEO Bob Iger met with Governor Lingle Friday to share the news that the islands of Kaua'i and O'ahu will be sites for the production of the feature film, which will begin shooting this summer and is slated to be released in summer 2011. 

The production is expected to generate an estimated $85 million in direct and indirect spending in Hawai'i, providing a needed economic boost for the state's economy as well as creating hundreds of jobs for local residents.

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides will star Johnny Depp, returning to his iconic role of Captain Jack Sparrow. The film is produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, and directed by Rob Marshall. The writers are Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio, and the executive producers are Mike Stenson, Chad Oman, Barry Waldman, Elliott, Rossio and John DeLuca.

"Disney's long-term commitment to Hawai'i - from ABC's 'LOST' to the new Disney resort on O'ahu scheduled to open in 2011, and now the upcoming filming of Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides - is a testament to the company's confidence in our state as a great place to do business," said Governor Lingle.

"The Walt Disney Company has a great relationship with Hawai'i that we're looking forward to building upon with the filming of the latest adventures of Captain Jack Sparrow and his crew," said Iger. "I thank Governor Lingle and her team for their tremendous support of the projects Disney has underway in this great state."

"We've always sought out the most extraordinary and exotic locations for the Pirates of the Caribbean films," said producer Jerry Bruckheimer, "and previously shot briefly on both Maui and Molokai for Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End. Hawai'i provides an amazing range of both land and seascapes, and we're delighted to return for On Stranger Tides."

The state's Creative Industries Division and the Hawai'i Film Office, which are housed in the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, began working with Disney last year and organized a series of meetings and conference calls to help secure the business.

Georja Skinner, the State's Creative Industries Division administrator who oversees operations of the Hawai'i Film Office, worked collaboratively with the Governor's office, Department of Taxation and Tourism Liaison Marsha Wienert, along with Hawai'i Tourism Authority, Hawai'i Visitors and Convention Bureau, the City and County's Honolulu Film Office, 

The Resort Group, Ko Olina Resort and Disney Vacation Club to help secure "Pirates of the Caribbean" for Hawai'i.

"Hawai'i competes on a global basis for productions and to have Disney choose Hawai'i over other states and countries is a huge win for us," said Skinner. 

"Creative industries are by nature collaborative 

and what I think made a difference for us is the combination of our tax incentive as well as travel and destination industry support."

Pirates of the Caribbean: 

On Stranger Tides joins a growing list of feature film and television productions slated to film in Hawai'i this year. 

Warner Bros. feature Hereafter, directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Matt Damon completes filming on Maui this week. 

Pre-production is also beginning for the feature film 

The Descendents, starring George Clooney and directed by Academy Award®-winning writer/director Alexander Payne. 

The film is based on the book by Hawai'i resident Kau'i Hart Hemmings. 

A Japanese drama series 

as well as a Korean drama series 

are also scouting Hawai'i for projects this year.