Whenever the 21st Century Fox-Walt Disney Company merger takes effect (likely next year), the new Fox–set to consist of the broadcast network, Fox Sports, and Fox News/FBN–will have its evp and chief communications officer set in place. It’s a name already familiar to millions of Americans (including the Murdoch family): Hope Hicks.
Fox has announced that the former White House communications director will be based in Los Angeles for the new gig. Hicks will report to Viet Dinh, Fox chief legal and policy officer, and will succeed Julie Henderson, who informed the company earlier this year that she would not transition to the new company.
Her appointment will most certainly raise some eyebrows. Fox is already under scrutiny from many for how close it is with the Trump administration. This hire won’t exactly do anything to quell that criticism, especially considering the new company will have a focus on live sports and news.
Hicks was named White House Communications Director in August 2017 following the short-lived tenure of Anthony Scaramucci, who was fired less than a week after taking over the role. In fact, Hicks was Trump’s 5th White House communications director.
She was part of the Trump team from the start of his presidential campaign, and resigned on Feb. 28, 2018, a day after testifying before the House Intelligence Committee; and was considered one of Trump’s most trusted advisors.
Fox also announced the appointment of former General Electric executive Danny O’Brien as its head of government relations. O’Brien will be based in DC.
Additionally, Disney made its post-21CF acquisition leadership announcements official:
- Peter Rice becomes chairman of Walt Disney Television, and co-chairman of Disney Media Networks. He will report directly to Disney chairman and CEO Bob Iger.
- Rice will oversee the ABC TV network, ABC Studios, ABC’s owned stations group, Disney channels, Freeform, Twentieth Century Fox TV, FX Networks and FX Productions, Fox 21 TV studios and the National Geographic channels.
- Rice is currently president of 21CF and Chairman/CEO of Fox Networks Group.
- Dana Walden will take a new role of chairman, Disney Television Studios and ABC Entertainment.
- Her portfolio will cover Twentieth Century Fox Television and Fox 21 TV studios, along with ABC Entertainment, ABC Studios, Freeform and ABC owned stations.
- Walden is currently chairman and CEO of Fox Television Group
- John Landgraf has been named chairman of FX Networks and FX Productions.
- Gary Knell will be chairman of National Geographic partners
- James Goldston will be president, ABC News.
- Ben Sherwood will stay in the role of president of Disney|ABC Television Group and co-chair of Disney Media Networks through a transition period until the acquisition finally closes.
Walden, Landgraf, Knell, and Goldston will report directly to Rice.
“The strength of 21st Century Fox’s first-class management talent has always been a compelling part of this opportunity for us,” Iger said in a statement. “Upon completion of the acquisition, this new structure positions these proven leaders to help drive maximum value from a greatly enhanced portfolio of incredible brands and businesses.”
Shareholders for Walt Disney Company and 21st Century Fox approved the $71.3 billion deal in July 2018, but the merger is pending and still has to go through non-US merger and regulatory review.